854 to 855 compatibility of rear springs?

Post by **JimBee** » 26 Dec 2016, 08:57

I might have a chance to get some rear springs from a 96 854 T-5 that look newish (shocks and mounts were recent).

Two questions:

Could those springs be used on either a 93 854 or 96 855?

Is there anything difficult or mysterious about removing the rear springs once the shocks are out and the car is elevated?

Post by **MrPc** » 26 Dec 2016, 09:55

I didn't have any trouble removing the rear springs in my '96 855R. I had the car on stands, and used the "support the spring with the jack while disconnecting and then carefully lower the jack under the spring" method. I'd never done anything like it before, so I was very careful. I was surprised how easily it went, both in and out.

On the other hand, I've read accounts here where folks have found corrosion on the lower shock mounting stud (I think that's what it was) and snapped it. Might want to watch out for that.

Post by **JimBee** » 26 Dec 2016, 12:58

Having changed the shocks on these cars I have found some of the nuts on those lower shock studs to squeak and groan all the way. Even the cap nuts get rusty. Fortunately, the studs are pretty hefty and have held up.

I'd still like to know if the sedan and wagon springs are the same or very close and if there's anything special about the T-5 shock.

Post by **rspi** » 26 Dec 2016, 19:13

The springs for the sedan's and the wagons are different.

Post by **erikv11** » 26 Dec 2016, 23:50

What Robert said - they are different. Some people use the wagon springs as an overload spring on the sedan. The wagon springs are stiffer.

All that said, factory R springs are stiffer than stock springs. If you can get them for free, then consider trying them out? They are so easy to swap (raise rear to full suspension drop, remove lower spring mounts, pull springs out, put in other springs, tighten mounts, lower car) that you might as well.