Need a pick-me-up

M Wehrman · Post by **M Wehrman** » Sun Feb 11, 2007 4:06 pm

Got the new springs,put them in (whew!)

and ride height came up like it did for Jim and the wheels were straight !

Only issue is the manfacturer added 2 more coils and when driven it bottoms in a whole different way, as the springs bind.

The company I have been working with has been very helpful and we are working on a new set.

I sent them an original spring and they are going to contact me Monday with my new ETA.
BTW they had already done some spring work in the past for a customer who wanted softer

springs ft and rear on his 710. I will keep ya'll posted. As for those spring pins they are more expensive than the springs I'm building and still would be the same amount of work!
Mike Nims has my other spring and is scearching the lowlands for other options.
TTFN,Mark

M Wehrman · Post by **M Wehrman** » Mon Mar 19, 2007 12:27 am

Got my springs,put 'em in and I'm grinnin!

After two trys I have the ingredients for happiness!!! I went from having a severe no travel-wheels pointing inboard at the top to wheels tilting slightly out on the top. Ride quality is great!! They raised my ft end 2.5" and it handles like a dream! Stock springs per the manual are appx 1750 lbs rating (mid spec) ,I requested a spring for 1900 to make up for winch,full roll cage and a/c.
I rescearched this option because I could not accept the prices demanded by the Pinz parts vendors.

I would be happy to share my info off line,so as not to offend any of our communitys supporters.
BTW this was for a 712,it seems the 710s don't have as this issue as much.
Wehrx3@cox.net
That's me!
Mark

ExpeditionImports · Post by **ExpeditionImports** » Mon Mar 19, 2007 6:11 pm

I don't think it should offend any of the Pinz parts suppliers. You will find that we are the first to agree that parts pricing is very high......but don't complain to the vendor, when you have a manufacturer that makes MBZ look cheap! Take your front spring for example: Cost from Steyr (2006 price list, so I'm sure a good bit more know) is 142.90 EUR. Converted with the strength of the dollar to about $191.49 in Graz Austria. Add in air shipping, and modest profit for the dealer and a new progressive rate coil priced between $220 and $250 doesn't seem to be that out of line.

To be fair, make sure you are comparing apples to apples. The last time I priced out new manufacture progressive coils, I was being quoted in the $160-180 range, which at the time did not seem to me to be enough of a savings to go with an unknown.

I think it is great that you are going down this road and taking on some of the cost of the development. (Sounds like one set didn't work, but the second was good.) Post up the information, then it is in a searchable referrence for years to come.

Most of the parts dealers that I know are enthusiasts first, dealers second. That being the case, I think you will find most are just as interested in more people working on these types of issues, than a perceived concern to line Steyr's pockets with more $$.

Cheers,

Scott

michaelh712 · Post by **michaelh712** » Fri Jul 06, 2007 8:22 am

How to tell for sure if the front springs need to be replaced? Is it a simple measurement of spring length, or a front clearence vs. rear measurement? Mine measure 10" in front. I'm concerned that new wheels/tires I getting may rub in the front and that correct spring height may help.

I recall that that there was a discussion on the old (crashed) board about different spring rates and that one could tell by a paint dot. Mine have a red dot or paint mark and I thought that that meant the stiffest.

Jimm391730 · Post by **Jimm391730** » Fri Jul 06, 2007 11:42 am

How to tell for sure if the front springs need to be replaced?

In my case, with the old tired springs the front of my 712 measured 13" from ground to bottom of differential; with heavier springs, I now have about 15". Remember, the factory specs are something like 13" ground clearance at full load, so if you are getting close to that empty you might need new springs. Or, do you find you bottom out often on the trails? (I did).

Jim Mettler
712W and 710M

andy · Post by **andy** » Fri Jul 06, 2007 6:32 pm

Does any of the above relate to rear springs also? My 710 has taken a pronounced squatting position and I suspect I have a problem with the springs on the right rear. The tops, probably 3 or 4 coils tend to tilt inward. I would appreciate knowing where the place in Kansas or wherever was that made the springs. I have not checked to see if anyone in San Antonio does that. Thanks.
Andy

mjnims · Post by **mjnims** » Fri Jul 06, 2007 7:14 pm

almost forgot about this topic. The spring shop I was using never could find a direct fit. I have a set of the springs Mark had made. With the heat I have not taken the opportunity to get out and try them on the trails yet. I will be attending the RMP Treffen and hope to get a little wheeling in before the treffen starts to see how they handle more extreme conditions. My 710 does not show any of the symptoms of front sagging springs but then it is not as modified as my 712 and has not seen as much trail time.