Datsun Roadster Forum-311s.org

Swapping out the old springs for a set of Vogtlands and came across these little ‘separators’, for lack of a better word.

Question:
Are these factory pieces, an addition by a PO to stiffen the compression rate, or maybe an ad hoc way to stop sagging?
They appear to be adjustable and there are two on each of the old springs.

Thanks.

Haven’t seen those in many years! They are used to increase the ride height a bit while increasing the spring rate a bit. I never used them, looked like they could easily shift or fall out on a large bump.

Peace,
Pat

As noted, those are spring helpers for sagging springs. What are the details on the Vogtlands?

Habitat.pat wrote: Tue Nov 16, 2021 11:04 am Haven’t seen those in many years! They are used to increase the ride height a bit while increasing the spring rate a bit. I never used them, looked like they could easily shift or fall out on a large bump.

Peace,
Pat

A previous owner put some lower tech versions of those on an old Mustang that I had. I was not kind to that car - they didn't move at all.

Thanks Guys. I hadn’t seen those before. Well I did ‘see’ them, but I’ve never had them out to try and figure it out. Pretty sure they were in there since the ‘90s - I can’t sleep at nights if I find ‘mystery parts’.

Stiffens the ride you say - That might help explain the excessive spinal corrections on potholes and rail tracks.

spl310 wrote: Tue Nov 16, 2021 5:45 pm … What are the details on the Vogtlands?

As for the springs, Vogtland is a German company that specializes in these things. These give a 1.3” drop with a spring rate of 840 lb/in. Company link and part number below:

Once again, Thanks for the info.

https://www.vogtland-na.com/us/en/produ ... t-springs/

Thank you! I tried to search their website for the part number and for a 311, but came up dry.

I may run into the same on my restoration but for starters I’ll try the stock springs that came in the car. I believe you can test/determine spring rate and then try a set of coils with less spring rate. Maybe there are some progressive rate coils that will fit on the car. Quite a while before I go down this path….

I see lots of low stance roadsters on the internet. I’m betting not all have an excessively harsh ride.

fairlane292 wrote: Tue Dec 03, 2024 6:09 pm I may run into the same on my restoration but for starters I’ll try the stock springs that came in the car. I believe you can test/determine spring rate and then try a set of coils with less spring rate. Maybe there are some progressive rate coils that will fit on the car. Quite a while before I go down this path….

I see lots of low stance roadsters on the internet. I’m betting not all have an excessively harsh ride.

I was just thinking when you see a lower stance roadster out here in 311s and Facebook groups you DM the owner and ask about their front suspension. Start collecting a good bit of data on lower stance roadsters (at least on front suspension) and from that you and others will get some great info I suspect.

FWIW, I've read they used those/similar spacers on 510's & trucks (maybe roadsters???) for/during original shipping from Japan to care for the ship-board chain fastening security/tie-down. I have the Vogtland's on my Z and the height/lowering is correct for my set up. They are stiff IMO, (non track car), but nicely stick like glue on the smooth. For me, I'll be moving to coil-over next up-grade to keep height, increase travel while/to minimizing some harshness.

When I got my Roadster 38yrs ago I found it had a couple of stiff rubber pieces that were shaped to fit between the coils, and they said "Rubber Ride" on them. Tossed them.

I've commented elsewhere, but the game changer are the Bilstein shocks. Unfortunately they are expensive.