Best Adjustable Spring Perch

[cobra]

Right now I am running Dinan springs on stock rubber pads. The spring rate is fine for my needs, but the car sits unevenly. I don't want to lower the car more than 13.5" fender edge to center of wheel. (Currently at 14 left and ~13.75 right).

What's the best method for getting some adjustability without reducing travel or risking damage?

I would consider switching to straight wound springs as long as it doesn't cause any other issues.

[maupineda]

Add rear adjustable springs, you can choose TCK Line 500 which is a bit stiffer but still within the range of OE, you need the adjustable perches and from the rear con can even the whole car if that is what you want. I did this as my front setup was already at the lowest possible setting and one side was higher than the other and did not want to rise the front anymore, but playing with the rear adjuster I was able to even out the fronts.

[K-Dawg]

Are we talking rear springs?

Try swapping the springs side to side?

I would think you could mill 0.125" off each end of a spring with no detrimental effects.

But a 1/4" difference side to side? I wouldn't worry about it. I'd be more inclined to corner-weight the car and see if things are wacky there.

Also, if you lower the car, you're going to reduce bump travel.

Do you know which spring (top) shim thickness you are running? The 5mm shim is 33531136385.

[Obioban]

BMW makes different thickness rear rubber spring pads for the e46. I ordered one of each and used them to corner balance my wagon on Dinan springs. I’m pretty sure I listed the PNs in the suspension setup thread.

No adjustable perch is going to work with the Dinan springs without putting you over stock ride height.

[cobra]

Are we talking rear springs?

Try swapping the springs side to side?

I would think you could mill 0.125" off each end of a spring with no detrimental effects.

But a 1/4" difference side to side? I wouldn't worry about it. I'd be more inclined to corner-weight the car and see if things are wacky there.

Also, if you lower the car, you're going to reduce bump travel.

Do you know which spring (top) shim thickness you are running? The 5mm shim is 33531136385.

Yeah rear springs. The difference is maybe more like 3/8". Doesn't sound like much, but is easily visible and I even had someone comment on it! 'Why is the left side of your car so much higher than the right?"
I am using the stock spring pads.

The Dinan springs are 8" long barrel shape. It looks like with the adjustable mounts and 7" springs I can basically be at stock height plus have some adjustment.

[eacmen]

MCY got a GC weight jack and cut the threaded rod to shorten it. Not sure if it can be shortened enough for your application but worth consideration.

ref: https://youtu.be/zbnhlJfkoxs

[cobra]

Oof that's a lot of work!

[Cronenberged]

MCY got a GC weight jack and cut the threaded rod to shorten it. Not sure if it can be shortened enough for your application but worth consideration.

ref: https://youtu.be/zbnhlJfkoxs

He would just assume buy 5" springs going that route. The Dinans I'm assuming are 6+

[cobra]

He would just assume buy 5" springs going that route. The Dinans I'm assuming are 6+

I'm actually thinking of getting 6 or 7" springs. Dinan are 8"!

[eacmen]

Not sure what the Dinan spring design is. But if its a progressive spring like OEM just matching the spring rate and getting a shorter spring will not yield the same suspension dynamics. If the only concern is ride height then shorter springs is a valid solution.

That being said I don’t understand why you would be getting noticable uneven ride height right to left unless there was a significant ballast difference on one side of the car.

[cobra]

Not sure what the Dinan spring design is. But if its a progressive spring like OEM just matching the spring rate and getting a shorter spring will not yield the same suspension dynamics. If the only concern is ride height then shorter springs is a valid solution.

That being said I don’t understand why you would be getting noticable uneven ride height right to left unless there was a significant ballast difference on one side of the car.

Dinan's are 8" "barrel" type. 475lb/in linear rate.

Yeah I am not sure either, going to take it apart and see if there's anything obvious.

[eacmen]

Dinan's are 8" "barrel" type. 475lb/in linear rate.

Yeah I am not sure either, going to take it apart and see if there's anything obvious.

Unbolt the rear dampers and check to see if one is blown. Be sure to support trailing arm with jack when unbolting.

Make sure there are no cracks in the spring.

Make sure the rubber pads on top and bottom are still installed.

Make sure rear sway bar isn’t binding.

Make sure rear strut towers or upper control wishbone arm aren’t deformed.

[Tbonem3]

Prolly had the ebrake on

[eacmen]

Prolly had the ebrake on

I’ve done this as well! Hard to set ride height with ebrake on!

[maksezzy]

Unbolt the rear dampers and check to see if one is blown. Be sure to support trailing arm with jack when unbolting.

Make sure there are no cracks in the spring.

Make sure the rubber pads on top and bottom are still installed.

Make sure rear sway bar isn’t binding.

Make sure rear strut towers or upper control wishbone arm aren’t deformed.

^ This. Also, as Obioban pointed out, there are different size spring pads that you can get to shorten or raise one side. Just swap your current spring pad with a thicker/thinner one depending which side you want to adjust.