Rear Shocks

[Triton]

I am going to fit a pair of AVO rear coil over shockers to my 73 Special. Does anyone know what spring rate i should go with. The car is just used for normal driving. Also what height should i set the rear of the car to,  from the floor to centre of the wheel arch and also the front measurement .   Thanks for any information....

[BDA]

I assume you are satisfied with the ride and handling of your car (excepting what is causing you to replace your rear shocks). That being the case, I would just use the same springs that are on the car now. They should fit your new AVO shocks. If your front springs are also stock, the balance and ride of your car should be maintained. I don't think anybody ever complained about handling of a properly maintained stock Europa.

Your concern about the rear only makes me wonder about the situation at the front wheels. New shocks at the rear would normally encourage one to consider new shocks at the front.

As for ride height, the manual specifies 6" ride height at the front measured at the closing plate (the plate that goes from the front of the frame 'T' section to the fiberglass body). I was advised to run 1/2" higher ride height in the rear. I would set the front ride height measuring at the closing plate. Then measure the clearance of the body behind the front wheel. Adjust the rear ride height at the body in front of the rear wheels to 1/2" more than that.

[cazman]

I have an extra pair of rear that I will sell. They are from Banks and have a 140# spring rate. These are usually matched with 250# on the front from most of the vendors.

[Triton]

The rear shocks are Spax and are starting to leak and one spring is a little bit soft. I have spoken to AVO and they need to know the spring rate  that i want. Front shocks are new AVO ones. Car handles good  i have made adjustable bottom rods to set the camber and shimmed the trailing arms to set the rear toe-in. Thank you for the ride height information,.....

[Triton]

Thanks for the info Cazman, Thanks for the offer on the shocks but i have done a deal with AVO....

[BDA]

The stock rear spring rate is 75 lbs/in.

[Lotuswins]

Triton,

Setting per the manual at the 6 inch ride height is for the original size tires, 175/70-13 IIRC.  If you are using 60 series tires, the chassis will need to set lower for optimum suspension dynamics.  In the manual there is a front view drawing of the suspension/chassis/tire with the suspension in the right relationship.  IIRC, and this was discussed on the forum for a long time, setting the pivot points on the lower front a-arm at equal height is what you want.  In the rear, the manual also has that arrangement shown in a drawing, and the driveshafts are shown almost level, with the inside u-joint slightly lower which you can scale off the drawing. 

HTH....
Jerry Rude
4005R