H&R sport springs - too tall in rear
 

I have a 97 318ti with h&r sport springs. The rear of the car sits way too high, lots of rake, even though the springs are all the same. Part number on the spring says 29970. I am removing the rear subframe to install rtabs, but noticed getting the rear springs out is impossible. Shock and sway bar disconnected and trailing arm at full droop. I had to use a spring compressor to get it out and it was tough. What gives? Are the 29970 H&Rs the right spring for the car? The car also has eccentric IE kit installed, could that affect the spring compression?

How tall is "too tall"? Without a measurement, or at least a picture, it's hard to tell what's going on. Also, what's an "eccentric IE kit"?

I have the same springs on my car, and it looks fine to me. I also had to use a spring compressor to get the original rears out, and the new ones in (although I managed it without disconnecting the sway bar).

The rear sits about 3" higher than the front. Unfortunately, I didn't snap a picture, I went right to disassembly.
The Ireland Engineering Eccentric Rear Trailing Arm bracket for adjusting camber/toe.

I wonder if I remove one of the rubber isolators and use H&R race springs if that would make this easier. Are the H&R race significantly shorter than the sport springs?

3"? Damn. There's something seriously wrong, and it ain't the springs. For reference, here's my car, sitting on the same springs with Bilstein Sport shocks.

FYI, when I installed my suspension and took it to the shop for an alignment, they were able to get everything within factory specs, without the use of any camber kit.

http://www.318ti.org/forum/garage_at...tach_type=full

http://www.318ti.org/forum/garage_at...tach_type=full

H&R website that the 29970 is the right spring.

I had an H&R cup kit that had about the same drop in the rear as this in my e30. I had trouble getting the spring out once because i left the parking brake engaged. Once i took that off, then the trailing arm dropped all the way.

Thanks for the pics and info - pretty helpful. I think the combination of camber/toe weld in plates, weight reduction, and stock spring pads is causing the rear to be high. I am going with adjustable spring perches from Ireland Engineering so that I can have better control over the height. Pics to follow

I have the same springs and am able to take the rears out by disconnecting the sway bar. It sits very low both front & back but looks correct. However, I have adjustable Koni's and when the rears are as stiff as they can go, it jacks the rear end up by about 3" so I cannot run the rear shocks all the way to the stiff setting. I am looking at the Ground Control coilover kit because I don't think the H&R's are stiff enough for use to use autocrossing. The GC kits is adjustable so that you can change the ride height. I have not looked into the IE spring perches because I don't really like the current springs and want to change them as well. Good luck & let us know how you make out with the IE perches

Just looking at the IE website, you might want to call them to make sure the perches work on the ti. I think the ones listed are for e36 sedans/coups and not the ti(compact). Didn't look at the e30 or z3 ones, but the rear suspensions for those are closer to the ti than the regular e36.

Yea will be calling IE today to confirm. By the way, IE said the posi lock camber toe kit is on backorder until further notice. Apparently their supplier is slow... so I'm at a standstill until they can figure out their supply chain problems.

Thanks for the info joe.
The camber and toe plates finally shipped. For future reference, the perches DO fit the 318ti. I will be documenting the install in my autocross build thread with tons of pictures: Riddleyo's Autocross 318ti

I looked at the Ground Control perches as well, but the IE ones were much much cheaper. And you can use your own source for springs. I will be using Eibach 2.25" x 5" springs which are pretty plentiful on ebay used. You are right, H&R sport/race are WAY too soft for autocross use. If you want to track the car, you gotta go stiffer.

Riddley, I am looking at your build thread and am JEALOUS that you have the knowledge & expertise to disassemble the rear subframe. My ti needs a refresh of all the rear bushings but I just don't have the tools/knowledge/space and more importantly, the funds needed to pay someone else to do it. I am currently looking at some lighter weight wheels OR the ground control coilover kit. Possibly a larger rear sway bar. Cant decide if I should go with the lighter wheels (10# lighter for each wheel) to reduce unsprung weight or go with the GC coilover kit to be able to adjust ride height. Looking forward to seeing the rest of your build!