Helper Springs... Do I Need Them?

[Longfield 0]

Hello All,

 

Today i was researching spring rates and was about to buy 350lb springs for my track only 205 in a 7in length when i read about helper/tender springs. I've never heard of these before. Thus, do i need them for my car?

 

As I say, my car is track only and not road. I've purchased 23tb's and 25mm arb for the rear and thus don't want the front to continually run soft [which i've found the 285lb to be] hence the desire for new springs... but helper springs?

 

Thanks

Longfield.

[Miles 331 1 Cars]

The helper spring really just keeps the spring in place when the car leaves the ground, If this is by jumping over kerb's or jacking the car up

Also helps on the MOT as the srping won;t fall out which I belive is a failure

[James_R 3]

As long as the spring relocates on the to the spring pan it's not a problem.

 

My 205 does have helper springs and my 306 doesn't I can't say I've noticed a difference at all with or without.

 

I'm also running 285's on the front of mine and 24/27 rear beam [think that worked out to around 245lbs) and found I get too much roll on the nose of the car, can you let us (me) know how you get on with 350lbs springs as I'll be upgrading for next year aswell.

 

(The 306 runs 400lbs fronts and 25mm/30mm rear set up which is about 260lbs on the rear I don't have any roll issues with that car/setup but may be due to the larger front ARB it has as std so was thinking to swap to a 309 front ARB aswell)

[tom_m 0]

helper and tender springs are two different types too.

 

helper springs are as miles says just there to locate the main springs correctly, and keep the MOT guy happy.

 

tender springs are ones of a lower rate than your main springs, but still enough that they actually form part of the active coils to provide a dual rate

[Longfield 0]

Jams R - I'll certainly let you know how I get on.

 

Open question for all then... given what Tom M says re: tender springs.... and i'm seeking a 7" normal spring open length... would a] if i wanted to keep that open length would i effectively need say a 5" spring + 2" tender spring if i wanted to use a tender spring and keep the 7" open length and b] for track work are tender springs preferable over a single spring...as i've yet to ever see them on a circuit car?

 

Thanks for your help all. It is appreciated.

 

Longfield.

[tom_m 0]

are tender springs preferable over a single spring...as i've yet to ever see them on a circuit car?

 

you've not looked closely at the aerial atom then have ya

[James_R 3]

Don't see how an aerial and a 205 are comparable

 

Dual rate is confusing as you like too :s

 

Also if you change too much at a time you never know what worked and what didn't or indeed if anything counters the other

[brianthemagical 1]

aerial atom isn't a track car. it's a road car designed for the track. if you have a think about the tender springs and what they do then it's like having a softer spring in the first part of travel, which ies a better ride/is better over bumpy surfaces.