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[GrahamK]

Hi folks,

I not wanting to rubbish any views on here, just interested in where they come from.

The springs off my car were the brown spotted ones, which are likely to be the originals, I think.

I've looked again at the Haynes manual and it does say brown spotted for the later V6's and just one spring length is given (373mm from memory)

I also take the point that the fitted springs could have sagged unevenly. But worth thinking about that the difference in length is almost exactly the same as the difference on the new ones?
Graham.

[johnnydog]

Having gone through different spring ratings on classic cars, and the headaches fitting non genuine / aftermarket brings, and more appropriately on here, fitting non VX rear springs (self levelling in my case) which can result in a Santa Pod lookalike dragster syndrome as many aftermarket suppliers list 'one spring fits all' malarky .......why did you want to fit new front springs in the first place? I appreciate that you may have had the struts dismantled for other work, but were you of the opinion that your front springs were shot at? If you were happy with their performance,  they weren't excessively rusted (which I doubt as you mentioned the brown spots), or the ride height was lower than original because of weak springs, I personally would refit the originals, or replace with genuine new originals (which I appreciate maybe like looking for the proverbial rocking horse s**t).
No doubt this will bring the usual comments, but relative to suspension springs, I am a firm believer of fitting genuine / originals wherever possible to maintain the correct ride height.
I'd be tempted to refit the originals if there was no obvious problem with them.

[Enceladus]

If your springs are both marked brown & brown then they were the same length when they were installed at the factory. Haynes says these are 373mm. Yours have sagged over the years.

Are your springs Sachs 997-715 (right 360mm) and 997-716 (left 380mm)? In which case they are left hand drive market springs.

[addy]

I have read this with interest. As my front coil spring on right side is snapped. Confirmed by diagnosis by GastronomicKleptomaniac, when he came round to see what the rattle was.  I will obviously be changing the both sides. Would I be looking at using the same coil for both sides. For example I have been looking at some KYB's the longer one is the Left coil

Length                        376 mm
Outer diameter             161 mm
Paired article numbers    RC1539
Thickness/Strength 1     14.25 mm

The right coil is
Length                    358 mm
Outer diameter            163 mm
Paired article numbers   RC1540
Thickness/Strength 1    14 mm

So would I be better buying two left coil springs for my RHD 2.6 Omega, to bring it close to original spec. And would it affect the handling, with the camber on the roads?

Thanks for all the help. Look forward to everyones replies.  It is typical, GastronomicKleptomaniac did the timing belt, then the front coil spring drivers side, snaps. 

 Addy

[Nick W]

Addy,
buy a pair of V6 springs from your preferred supplier. If one spring is longer, fit it to the driver's side. If they're the same, just fit them.


Once you've had a good alignment done, you won't notice any difference either way.

[addy]

Thank you Nick W for the quick reply.  I did ask the supplier and gave, my reg and vin. He replied that the ones in the question below, were the correct ones for my car. Also looked on KYB auto cat, making sure the settings were for GB, otherwise it only finds Omega's in the Opel manufacturer. Even looking under Vauxhall it still showed the two different coils to fit my 2.6. Then after reading this post, thought best to check.  Will go with your reply and fit longer one to drivers side.

Thanks again
Addy

[biggriffin]

 They are different lengths due to the camber of the roads in the foreign..

 Volvo F86/F88/F89 and early F10 and Scania 81/100 series all came with different front springs,  due to the way they build roads.

[TheBoy]

I'd be wary fitting KYB, as all the sets I have fitted to mine have rusted quickly, and snapped.  Probably lasted 2-3 years.

So worth buying something a little better quality IMHO.

[Doctor Gollum]

A pair of the following...

Kilen 20059

Kilen 20060

Kilen 20720

All are V6 fronts, 59 is technically left, but a pair of any will get you two the same length.

[addy]

Sorry for bringing this post back up.  I have sorted a matching pair of Kilen coil springs for the front of my omega on advice from here.  Can the original two bolts, that hold the shock to the steering knuckle be used. I have been looking for replacements, but cannot find any.  I was going to clean up the old ones and replace the nuts with new flanged head ones.  Would I need a Flanged head Stover Nut, or will a normal Flanged head nut be OK for replacement? I have the pitch needed M12 X 1.5 for bottom nut, M14 X 1.75 for top nut.

Thanks for any help.

Addy

[Nick W]

Have a quick look at them for damaged threads, and that they're straight. Then reuse them.


The really important bolt is the wishbone to knuckle pinch bolt, that has to be in good condition and the correct part if it needs to be replaced.

[addy]

Thank you Nick W, for the info, that is helpfull.

Addy

[Doctor Gollum]

Quick observation...

The hub to strut bolts and nuts should be identical... 

The hub to ball joint pinch bolt is smaller and different.

[johnnydog]

The hub to strut bolts and nuts should be identical... 

Both bolts are size M12 x50, GM part no. 90496191, nut is GM part no.90538057.

[addy]

Thanks for the info on the bolts.  I looked at this site, https://opel.7zap.com/en/car/v94/k/0/4-4/ my car is a 2.6.  The two bolts I was looking at are numbered 28 and 29, which I took as the strut to knuckle bolts.

Will look online for the numbers you have given Johnnydog. Just incase mine don't come off, in any condition to go back on.  As the whole front suspension parts look original.

Addy