Lovell Springs don't fit.

CMF_Bishop

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Or at least the ones I just bought don't, I just went to fit the fronts, inside diameter of the coils is wrong, in fact the end tails are also bent wrong, and hell they don't fit properly into the top spring seat, and loose on the lower seat.

Someone please tell me I have been sold the wrong springs, and or post a pic of theirs, cause I'm struggling to believe a spring maker would supply something that is such a poor and possibly dangerous fit.

I'll go snap some pics, but seriously I don't feel these are safe to fit, which I find a worry cause they are used, so someone did.
 

CMF_Bishop

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As you can see, spring does not fit inside the top seat, I'm not sure you would find a mechanic willing to fit these.
<img src="http://www.thebronzealternative.com/Micra/front01.JPG">
<img src="http://www.thebronzealternative.com/Micra/front02.JPG">
<img src="http://www.thebronzealternative.com/Micra/rear01.JPG">
<img src="http://www.thebronzealternative.com/Micra/rear02.JPG">

Original spring vs Lovell...
<img src="http://www.thebronzealternative.com/Micra/stockvslovell.JPG">

And this is the rear, not checked them yet, may do a quick measure, though rear springs seats are typically less critical...
<img src="http://www.thebronzealternative.com/Micra/rearspring.JPG">
 

CMF_Bishop

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Just broke out the vernier calipers, stock springs are 81mm internal 102mm external, 10.3mm wire, the Lovell are 87mm internal 108mm external with 11.25mm wire.

Yeah so 6mm difference, and spring makers usually have a vast array of cores to wind a spring on, it's the key to making springs that fit.

And I got the springs off a fellow forum member here, so I'll have to contact him, not sure if he has sent me the wrong springs, or if he got sent the wrong springs originally.

Funny little side note, buried in the bottom of the box he sent me, is two labels off some Lovell springs, with part numbers FFL-50SL on them, now that's a Ford part number, as the labels were just floating loose, I assumed they had come off something else, now I'm wondering if they 'are' off the springs he sent me.
 

CMF_Bishop

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It's not hard to figure out who I got them off, the for sale thread was fairly recent on here, I got some used front KYB and the springs.

Right now I'm in the process of still fitting the KYB (I take lots of breaks between bits), though I loathe using spring compressors on full height springs, and it going to suck doing this a second time when I get the right springs.

And yeah I found a copy of the Lovell catalog, but with the springs having no labels on them, I can't confirm anything.
 

CMF_Bishop

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Bugger, looks like I would have needed to pull it all out again anyway, I just had the left side apart, and the strut top mount felt a bit flogged, and sure enough once back on the ground, it's now creaking badly, explaining one noise I noticed from the left front.

Always the way, a vague noise then you pull stuff apart and it shifts so once back together it's a lot worse than before, those damn top mounts are usually expensive as well.

Edit: WTF?, I went looking for the strut tops, and the Nismo part came up, which is just the internal rubber bush?, I had no idea the top mount came apart, if I had know that I'd at least have repacked mine with rubber safe grease and saved myself a week or so of squeaking from the worn ones.

Price ain't bad though, RHDJapan are $20 a side, $20 shipping.

 

CMF_Bishop

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nsm WROTE:

"i have front and back lovells in stock if need be...<BR>
<BR>
nick...
Click to expand...

Can you confirm any dimensions of the Micra springs, for all I know the rears I have may be right (meaning I may only need fronts), but not knowing measurements off known Micra Lovell rears, I have no way to confirm it.
 

CMF_Bishop

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And it's name and shame update time, I was busy so only got around to it today, but these springs were bought off nsm/Nick.

So either the wrong springs have been sold here, or the Micra part is a rather frightening fit and possibly dangerous.

Also the labels floating around in the box 'were' off the springs I got, so yes it's Ford springs, or Lovell multi spec their springs, but with such a poor fit I'm amazed they would do that.

Apparently a mechanic did fit these to Cambells Micra, which I find a worry (I'm actually less worried about money here, and more that someone was using these), I'm not sure I know a suspension shop myself who would even try.
 

CMF_Pierce

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well having update 'name and shame' a little, I can tell you this, my springs are from NSM, and having recently (last week) changed my CV arms and having a good look at my own springs and shocks at the same time ( squeeky sound, time to change the strut top mount). I can safely say my springs look fine, fitted well. I would like to give you peace of mind by measuring mine for comparison but that would mean taking them off again, and another alignment which I can't afford :(
 

CMF_Bishop

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Well the passing of the buck seems to have started, but it's looking like I'll have to contact Lovell to confirm any spring specs, with any luck they will be able to confirm the specs of a Micra spring, and maybe confirm the part of whatever front springs I have right now.

And thanks Pierce, but I never did expect someone to actually remove theirs to check, was hoping someone had some laying around they could check, I'm paying the price for buying used right now, kind of sucks.
 

CMF_Yom2

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Pierce WROTE:

"well having update 'name and shame' a little, I can tell you this, my springs are from NSM, and having recently (last week) changed my CV arms and having a good look at my own springs and shocks at the same time ( squeeky sound, time to change the strut top mount). I can safely say my springs look fine, fitted well. I would like to give you peace of mind by measuring mine for comparison but that would mean taking them off again, and another alignment which I can't afford :(
Click to expand...

You don't need to get another wheel alignment providing you don't touch the tie rod end coming off the steering rack. Unless you've got adjustable camber which will be disrupted if you remove a strut..even then you can mark the alignment of the cam bolts and reinstall the same way by eye.

But its still a big effort to pull them out and measure. :p
 

CMF_Pierce

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hey yom2, quick question, after replacing my arms, the turning is a 1000x more fluid and there is no clicking on full lock, however when i reverse full lock there's clicking, whats the culprit now?

edit: sorry about hijack :/
 

CMF_Yom2

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Pierce WROTE:

"hey yom2, quick question, after replacing my arms, the turning is a 1000x more fluid and there is no clicking on full lock, however when i reverse full lock there's clicking, whats the culprit now?

edit: sorry about hijack :/
Click to expand...

Clicking is a vague term to be honest.

If its not very loud and it is all assembled properly it might be worth just driving it until it gets louder/more consistent as will be easier to troubleshoot.
 

CMF_Bishop

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Update:

Lovell were very helpful in emailing me the right specs for their Micra springs, which has confirmed that my fronts are wrong, but the rears seem to be right.

Basicly the front Micra springs should have had a ID of 78mm, mine at 87mm ID are way off, it disturbs me that Cam had these fitted, wrong on so many levels.

With a little luck Lovell will confirm what the fronts actually fit, then maybe I can sell them and get something that fits, I grow tired of a full ride height Micra.

Edit: Oh and from past FWD cars, clicking at full lock is almost always a CV, but really most people never replace them till they click under load in a straight line.
 
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