Loose coil spring problem....Solved.

Post by **clarelude23** » Wed Mar 09, 2016 6:58 pm

Hi everyone. My car failed its nct today on both rear coil springs being loose when the car was jacked up. Is this the shock knock problem that i read about on the wiki or is it another issue?

Post by **Vtecmec** » Wed Mar 09, 2016 7:00 pm

How low is your car? And why are they jacking it up?

Post by **clarelude23** » Wed Mar 09, 2016 7:04 pm

When I say jacking it up I mean its on a lift with the weight off the wheels. The car is running on original Honda access suspension.

Post by **Vtecmec** » Wed Mar 09, 2016 7:20 pm

Sounds odd, the spring is compressed a few inches in the strut even when off the car. I don't think it's shock knock. Is it possible the spring has snapped and is now shorter?

Post by **clarelude23** » Wed Mar 09, 2016 7:24 pm

Yeah I don't get it. Its unlikely that both springs broke together. Thanks just making sure I wasn't that shock knock.
Just had the nct this evening so I'll spend some time at it tomorrow.

'92 Si VTEC · Post by **jjmartin349571** » Wed Mar 09, 2016 8:09 pm

stefan · Post by **stefan** » Wed Mar 09, 2016 8:48 pm

Guys, how do you setting pre-load on the springs in your coilovers ? How big difference is between front and rear ? Cheers

'92 Si VTEC · Post by **jjmartin349571** » Wed Mar 09, 2016 9:05 pm

I just realised I posted in the wrong thread

sorry chaps

Post by **Merlin** » Thu Mar 10, 2016 8:49 am

clarelude23 wrote:My car failed its nct today on both rear coil springs being loose when the car was jacked up.

I dont know how the NCT differs from an MOT but it is not an MOT fail to have the spring not be in contact at both ends when the car is jacked up, only when the car is on the ground.

http://www.partinfo.co.uk/articles/94 wrote:The spring should only be rejected if its function is impaired, or if the spring ends do not locate correctly, without assistance, when the vehicle is lowered into normal running position after being jacked.

http://www.partinfo.co.uk/articles/94

Still, it shouldn't be happening though. If everything is in tact, not damaged, and put together correctly it sounds like you needs some helper springs.

Edit - There is nothing in the NCT manual that says that springs not in contact at both ends is a fail (page 89 - Rear Springs) https://www.ncts.ie/media/1004/nct-manual-july-2014.pdf

Post by **Merlin** » Thu Mar 10, 2016 8:56 am

stefan wrote:Guys, how do you setting pre-load on the springs in your coilovers ?

You have to have coilovers that have the ability to be preloaded. If you have this ability winding the base of the spring up will preload the spring and affect is spring rate. More preload = a stiffer ride and changed handling. For a road car you don't really want any preload on the rear if you have stiff rear springs.

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