Removing Spring Pads

#1

I’ve seen a number of posts that mention removing Spring Pads. And there are other references that call them something different, but seem to be saying the same thing. So before I follow suit and cause my typical goatscrew, let me double-check that I understand what’s going on…It’s a safe and logical step to remove BOTH the upper and lower spring pads from BOTH front and rear? This doesn’t impact spring positioning/centering (especially in back)?. It doesn’t cause damage where the spring would, in the absence of the rubber, rest against bare sheetmetal?

#2
#3

The only negative that I know of is that a lack of spring pads will result in the loss of paint on the springs and perches. That’s probably not an issue on a pure race car, but might be a concern if you intend to keep the car street legal and drive it some.

#4

Just to be sure…you are saying that front and rear, top and bottom, all 8 spring pads can go. And that this is a good idea because it will drop the car a little. Is that the consensus?

#5

Yes you can remove all spring pads. Hint: you can fine tune corner weight of the car with them :slight_smile:

#6

The spring pads seem to play a role in holding the springs in place. No one is concerned that the springs might unseat if the car unloaded the suspension coming over a rise? It’d be a big surprise to come down and have only 3 springs.

#7

On our cars, with the car on jack stands and the rear shock fully extended, you have to unbolt the bottom shock mount to get the spring out, so I don’t see how the spring can come out, unless there is damage to the control arm or the top/bottom shock mount.
Ed

#8

they seem to be a little louder now without the rubbers, but then again my car is a little load.
They stayed in place over 5A backwards.LOL

#9

There are about 4 different sizes that came on E30’s from the factory. I have all of them and use them to help corner balance the car. I also use them to raise/lower the rear ride height as a minimal handling adjustment.