Shock Absorber Springs Modified, Why?

[GSkull]

Hello every one

I’ve recently got a 2003 Lexus GS300

The car has after market brackets installed on the top pat of shock absorber springs

The brackets fitted around center pipe and are locking two coils of the spring together on each side

I assumed that this is done to stiffen the ride and maybe make it more stable on fast turn

I am hopping some one here can give me a better understanding of why it was done?

And can this coz damage to the car in the future?

Also if I take it off will the ride feel smoother or is it possible that it was done to correct some problem with the shocks?

[sakataj]

Hello every one

I’ve recently got a 2003 Lexus GS300

The car has after market brackets installed on the top pat of shock absorber springs

The brackets fitted around center pipe and are locking two coils of the spring together on each side

I assumed that this is done to stiffen the ride and maybe make it more stable on fast turn

I am hopping some one here can give me a better understanding of why it was done?

And can this coz damage to the car in the future?

Also if I take it off will the ride feel smoother or is it possible that it was done to correct some problem with the shocks?

it sounds like a front strut bar....but im a little confused as to what your talking about

does it look something like this? or maybe you can post a pic of it and we can all understand (or maybe its just me). ignore the brands i just googled the images NOT all of them are for our car...the first one is for sure

http://www.clublexus.com/forums/showthread.php?t=389303

http://www.boomplustoys.net/images/sti/STi...t_Strut_Bar.jpg

http://www.maxdax.com/images/t_altis_strut_bar_cf-t.jpg

http://www.advancespeedshop.com/images/tei...trut%20oval.jpg

http://images.importtuner.com/features/071...0+strut_bar.jpg

[GSkull]

I do not have a pic right now but I uploaded a crude drawing as my avatar

[dcfish]

It looks like a "POORMANS" lowering attempt.

[djspawn00]

It looks like a "POORMANS" lowering attempt.

I agree.. judging from the caveman drawings that is the best I can decipher..

[GSkull]

I agree.. judging from the caveman drawings that is the best I can decipher..

hehehe :D thanks for the compliments on my art work, but I still don’t know if I should just leave it alone or ask my mechanic to take it off?

Or should I take pitcher and comeback later?

[djspawn00]

I agree.. judging from the caveman drawings that is the best I can decipher..

hehehe :D thanks for the compliments on my art work, but I still don’t know if I should just leave it alone or ask my mechanic to take it off?

Or should I take pitcher and comeback later?

take a pic

maybe its actually something hightech from the future that fell off a delorean.

[sakataj]

I agree.. judging from the caveman drawings that is the best I can decipher..

hehehe :D thanks for the compliments on my art work, but I still don’t know if I should just leave it alone or ask my mechanic to take it off?

Or should I take pitcher and comeback later?

take a pic

maybe its actually something hightech from the future that fell off a delorean.

so now a delorean is high tech? even back in the 80's when i was growing up on the BTTF movies (if u dont know im not telling you) the delorean wasnt high tech till those movies came out and even they (the movies) didn't save them (delorean) from money woos as they shut down not long after the 3rd one i think. funny though lately i have been seeing more and more of them. mechanic has 2 up at his shop right now...people stopped driving them after that movie i guess thinking they would be worth more as all models of them i have seen have less miles than i put on in one year! NEWAYS back to the topic.....after looking at his pic and semi understanding...it almost sounds like a CHEAP set of coilovers he's describing....but im not sure...or is that just me?

he says "The car has after market brackets installed on the top pat of shock absorber springs" which wouldn't/couldn't be pillow mounts possibly?

"The brackets fitted around center pipe and are locking two coils of the spring together on each side" which possibly would be the spring wrapped around the shock with the 2 adjustment perches (the place u turn your wrenches to lower/raise a coilover)

what color are these items? r there ne brand names written on them? (is it supposed to br written or wrote here, haha and my mother is a english teacher)

look best way to help us figure this out to help you figure it out (am i confusing everyone today lol) is 2 TAKE A PIC and post it up here

[GSkull]

I agree.. judging from the caveman drawings that is the best I can decipher..

hehehe :D thanks for the compliments on my art work, but I still don’t know if I should just leave it alone or ask my mechanic to take it off?

Or should I take pitcher and comeback later?

take a pic

maybe its actually something hightech from the future that fell off a delorean.

so now a delorean is high tech? even back in the 80's when i was growing up on the BTTF movies (if u dont know im not telling you) the delorean wasnt high tech till those movies came out and even they (the movies) didn't save them (delorean) from money woos as they shut down not long after the 3rd one i think. funny though lately i have been seeing more and more of them. mechanic has 2 up at his shop right now...people stopped driving them after that movie i guess thinking they would be worth more as all models of them i have seen have less miles than i put on in one year! NEWAYS back to the topic.....after looking at his pic and semi understanding...it almost sounds like a CHEAP set of coilovers he's describing....but im not sure...or is that just me?

he says "The car has after market brackets installed on the top pat of shock absorber springs" which wouldn't/couldn't be pillow mounts possibly?

"The brackets fitted around center pipe and are locking two coils of the spring together on each side" which possibly would be the spring wrapped around the shock with the 2 adjustment perches (the place u turn your wrenches to lower/raise a coilover)

what color are these items? r there ne brand names written on them? (is it supposed to br written or wrote here, haha and my mother is a english teacher)

look best way to help us figure this out to help you figure it out (am i confusing everyone today lol) is 2 TAKE A PIC and post it up here

Watched a history channel presentation about the Delorean few weeks ago, bottom line is it was a cool looking car at the time and that’s about it. And you can still get one new for 25k

Sorry did not get any pic’s yet. (Will have them in one or two days)

They are metallic like oxides aluminum color and are mounted on the springs them self’s there is noting else attached to it.

I don’t remember seeing any logos or brand names written on them. And my mechanic said it is defiantly something to do with the springs (stiffen it or to raise the car up a little) but he has not seeing stuff like this.

When I asked Lexus dealers they just said it will be 400$ to take it off

[djspawn00]

ok... so its not a flux capacitor... hurry up with those pics... and $400 to take it off sounds kinda steep... if its not doing anything leave it there until its time to change your shocks and springs... or if you want to play it safe buy a set of shocks and springs and just have those put on....

i may have a set for sale if you're interested.

[SKperformance]

go to sewell lexus or carson and find a strut /spring set up to confirm if it is supposed to be there under parts.

[djspawn00]

If its on these pics.. it belongs on your car.

[sakataj]

Watched a history channel presentation about the Delorean few weeks ago, bottom line is it was a cool looking car at the time and that’s about it. And you can still get one new for 25k

Sorry did not get any pic’s yet. (Will have them in one or two days)

They are metallic like oxides aluminum color and are mounted on the springs them self’s there is noting else attached to it.

I don’t remember seeing any logos or brand names written on them. And my mechanic said it is defiantly something to do with the springs (stiffen it or to raise the car up a little) but he has not seeing stuff like this.

When I asked Lexus dealers they just said it will be 400$ to take it off

i would be interested to see where you can get a delorean NEW for 25k as the company has been outta business since 1982, maybe a rebuilt or restoration but not a new one UNTIL atleast 2008 (hahaha they better hurry its almost 2k9) it seems they trying to bring them back but either way you couldnt get a new one for 25k. even if u found one some1 NEVER drove you couldnt get it for 25k. although that press release was from august 2007 so i wouldnt hold your breath

http://blog.leasetrader.com/archive/2007/0...-to-return.aspx

i saw these 2 pages also.... http://www.funtrivia.com/en/World/DeLorean-14025.html

it seems they made a 24k gold plated delorean for awhile.........only sold 2 but here is one of them

http://www.bigtexas.com/dmc/

well apparently we all seem to be saying the same thing to you just about....POST some pics so we can help you! n i know you said they coming but so is Christmas..... B) hehe.

[GSkull]

i would be interested to see where you can get a delorean NEW for 25k as the company has been outta business since 1982, maybe a rebuilt or restoration but not a new one UNTIL atleast 2008 (hahaha they better hurry its almost 2k9) it seems they trying to bring them back but either way you couldnt get a new one for 25k. even if u found one some1 NEVER drove you couldnt get it for 25k. although that press release was from august 2007 so i wouldnt hold your breath

http://blog.leasetrader.com/archive/2007/0...-to-return.aspx

i saw these 2 pages also.... http://www.funtrivia.com/en/World/DeLorean-14025.html

it seems they made a 24k gold plated delorean for awhile.........only sold 2 but here is one of them

http://www.bigtexas.com/dmc/

I think this is where you want to go to get a Delorean http://www.delorean.com/sales.asp

I was a little off on the price …or may be it was an old show that I’ve seeing

[GSkull]

finaly got the pics...

[SKperformance]

Those are helper stoppers which keep the spring from being compressed , They are used by someone who may have a higher load than normal and is trying to keep the rear end from sagging as much , or towing a small trailer.

[djspawn00]

MYSTERY SOLVED! WOOHOOO!

[GSkull]

Thank you!

Now just a few dumb questions.

Do theses change how the car feels/drives under normal conditions?

Should I take it off or just leave it alone?

And again thanks for your time guys

[eatingupblacktop]

With the stoppers, basically you're driving with shorter springs. Less travel = less compression available = stiffer ride. On a smooth road, you'll likely feel somewhat tighter handling, less roll in turns, etc. On rough roads, there's less spring to absorb bumps, making it a less compliant ride. Unless you've got weak springs and the car already sits low or you carry heavy loads, you don't need them.