Lowering springs

[Rlingren]

I installed front and rear lowering springs on my '75 spider. Now it makes a horrible noise in the rear end. What did I do to cause that and would do I do to correct it?

thank you
Ron

[vandor]

What kind of noise? Do you know where is it coming from?

[Rlingren]

I looked under the car and removed tire. The tire is not rubbing anything. The noise sounds like it is coming from the left side but it sounds like the gears are not meshing in the rearend. Did I change the angle of the axles by lowering it?

[burgandy81]

When I changed springs my exhaust would rattle against the panhard bar at random times.

I would not have described it as a gear sound but it might be worth a look.

[btoran]

Ron - Can't help with the question you asked, but I'm looking into lowering my 1975 and i have a few questions...which lowering springs did you use? what kind of bumpers do you have (small, early year or older, larger)? how much was the car actually lowered front and rear? Thanks.

[Fi8spider]

Yes you would have changed angle of the axle. Tailshaft and rear suspension bushes comes to mind as something I needed to overhaul on mine after lowering it due to the shaft touching the tunnel. I think I was also missing the bumpstop over the diff pinion. I'm just throwing ideas out there for you mate.

Are you sure it's not rubbing on anything Rlingren? The rear axle moves to one side when a 124 is lowered in the rear. If I recall it moves off to the right bringing the left wheel closer to the inner guard. Are you running wider wheels too? If so, what size rim and tire and offset? Are you using the factory wheel spacers in the rear?

[vandor]

> sounds like the gears are not meshing in the rearend

I am sorry, but I do not know what kind of sound that describes. Is it a metallic sound? More like tapping, or more like rubbing? Can you fill the body vibrate?
As mentioned above, the exhaust rattling on the rear end or panhard rod can make quite a racket, so check those clearances.

[azruss]

the clearance between the drive shaft and the e-brake handle mechanism under the car is very small. Its not likely, but possible you are getting some rubbing there. A quick inspection of the drive shaft would tell the tale. look for scratches in the paint on the driveline at that location.

[vandor]

If the seatbelt buckle bolts are too long they can touch the driveshaft as well.

[lucas83]

I have a 83 spider I've seen all kinds of lowering springs form IAP, Vickauto and Autoricambi. Does anyone have these? I like the vick auto ones but i don't like cutting springs. I don't mind the Autoricambi ones except the blue colour but i can always paint them. I'm just not sure which ones will lower mine nicely and also offer a good feel still.
Im looking for about a 2 inch lower front and back. Also anyone know any issues with lowering the fiats?
Looking forward to hear from you guys!
Thanks,
Lucas

[vandor]

Lowering springs will always be a little stiffer, but to help alleviate this some of the rears are progressive, which means that the first inch or so of travel are softer, so the little bumps don't feel rough.
The ones sold by us (Auto Ricambi) and Mark are such.
Oh, and color is likely not a good way of choosing springs As you said, they can always be painted.