Positive camber at rear. Springs?

[craigsven]

Just bought a 1988 BIS, all is well, or can be fixed, but noticed mega positive camber at the rear, its as if the springs are too strong or long. is it possible that wrong springs were fitted, do you get different types?  Any ideas welcome

Craig

[thepuddlejumper]

Craig the standard set up did give a camber, you can get sport springs which are generally 40-50mm shorter this removes the camber look but makes the ride harder.  Or you can do what a few have done and cut the original spring taking off between 1/2 and a full ring.  My 126 has this done and now sits well, the handling has changed a bit though but not enough to be  a concern.

Ralph

[Hazey-n-Marc]

Ralph, do you mean the handling is worse?

[craigsven]

I'll get the angle grinder out!

[thepuddlejumper]

I believe it is ever so slightly worse, could be me, but it hasn't slowed me down. After all cutting off a 1/2 or full ring you are left with about 5-10% less spring rate, does that make sense? I will post some photo's tomorrow to show how much I cut off and the result on the car.

Ralph

[Hazey-n-Marc]

Do you have the before and after pictures showing the fear levels on your face in corners? 

[craigsven]

It certainly sounds like the easy answer to me. Its no sports car, so handling shouldnt be an issue, but looking at the positibe camber I have anything negative has to be better
Craig

[Rusty's Uncle]

I found that a straight through cut on a full coil was a bit too much for me. You can always cut more off later but you can't put it back on 

[craigsven]

I'll do half then, thanks

[thepuddlejumper]

Hazy no photo's as no fear it doesn't go fast enough to instil fear.  I have attached a couple of photo's  1 before, 2 of the car after fitting the cut down springs and the other shows Abarth springs against standard the Abarth springs are the ones in the middle coulored white. I tried to put a line showing where I made the cut.  The cut was made directly below the end.  I also applied gentle heat yes gentle heat and clamped the last two rings in a vice and leveled the cut end a bit so it would sit better in the mount. You can't apply to much heat as it will alter the spring make up and it will become soft. Anyway it has worked

Ralph