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Spring Changes Posted by BradW [Email]  (#3273) [Profile/Gallery]
(more from BradW) on Fri, 17 Apr 2026 14:46:52
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So we've swapped our 1973 Sonett III back to (new) original style springs. As I've recounted before, when we first got our project car 3 years ago it sat 1.5-2" below the datum specified in the manual, and we assumed this was due to sag in the original springs. We ordered new springs from Club Sonett Sweden and were talked into the "15%" harder springs that they recommended. The new springs arrived and sure enough they were 2" taller than the old, stock springs we removed, so we believed our original "sag" assumption to be correct.
However, the +15% springs were just too hard to live with. Extremely rough ride and they seemed to exacerbate the under-to-over steer behavior in quick corners. The car was also sitting up a bit too high (nice for dual exhaust clearance though). So we ordered a set of stock springs. The heavier springs are of 5/8" coil versus 1/2" coil, which I would guess would be more than a +15% up strength?
The new OEM style springs as it turns out, are 2" shorter than the stiff springs, so there goes the "sag" theory. The +15% springs are both stiffer AND taller.
With the softer springs in, the car rides much nicer over bumps. On a perfectly smooth surface (track day!) you wouldn't notice the heavier springs bouncing the car, but on a rough road they were always kicking the end around. The stiffer springs eliminated any body sway, even when we had them just in the rear (stiff in the rear, soft in the front). No sway bar needed. Now with the soft springs all the way around we get body sway/roll again. Either need a rear sway bar or maybe have the stiff springs shortened? Hmmm.
This is in conjunction with mounting 185/60R15 tires, which are also stiffer and less side flex than the 155/70R15 tires. Same diameter, just stiffer sidewalls and wider patch. They fit fine on the front (just barely clear the springs), and on the back they hit the dual exhaust so that needed adjusting.
, Fri, 17 Apr 2026 14:46:52 <-- Viewing This Message
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