How to install pathfinder springs?

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blurst
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How to install pathfinder springs?

Post by blurst »

Hello,

For all you pathfinder spring people out there.

How did you get them to fit in there?

I've dropped the axle way down (as low as removing the stock brake lines will drop it) and still cant manage to get it in there.

Any other tips that you have used to make it work?

Be kind because I am new to this...

Thanks :)
blurst
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Re: How to install pathfinder springs?

Post by blurst »

Alright, got them in....

They currently look like this.
73225293_526843708150023_5547217143461838848_n.jpg
Is that bend normal? until the axle gets jacked up all the way back into place?
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NWMO
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Re: How to install pathfinder springs?

Post by NWMO »

Yes, I believe when everything gets weight on it, you should be fine. I added new longer mono-shocks when I swapped my springs.

Chris
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Petros
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Re: How to install pathfinder springs?

Post by Petros »

I think the first guy that got them to fit described it this way:

"get fat neighborhood kid to stand on the end of the axle"

you will need longer shocks so the shock travel is at about the middle of the new axle travel. he used fire bird shocks as I recall.
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blurst
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Re: How to install pathfinder springs?

Post by blurst »

Petros wrote: Wed Oct 30, 2019 11:31 pm I think the first guy that got them to fit described it this way:

"get fat neighborhood kid to stand on the end of the axle"

you will need longer shocks so the shock travel is at about the middle of the new axle travel. he used fire bird shocks as I recall.
Hmmm ok well I already messed this one up and had previously bought shocks to replace the originals.

Is there any way to "extend" the shock? And what would the downside be to running the original sized shocks?
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NWMO
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Re: How to install pathfinder springs?

Post by NWMO »

blurst,

Stock shocks will be expanded further than designed after the lift provided by the Pathfinder springs. I would expect they would still work, but likely not as well and may be fully extended during use more than normal and likely shorten the life expectancy. if you picture a stock install with approximately (just guessing) 16 inches between the top and bottom install points of a shock (when loaded), it is designed with compressed gas to soften the "shock" of bumps, etc. When we lengthen the shock out to say 18", the gas will not be as compressed and will not resist the "shock" in the same way when bumps, etc. come along. As to trying to extend either mounting point, I don't think that would be adviseable.

Chris
Psalm 37:4 "Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart"

In remembrance of my friend ARCHINSTL:

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blurst
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Re: How to install pathfinder springs?

Post by blurst »

Great thanks Chris, appreciate the explanation.

Has anyone had issues with their brake lines? As in having to extend them so that they are not under too much tension?
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Abletobecain
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Re: How to install pathfinder springs?

Post by Abletobecain »

Petros wrote: Wed Oct 30, 2019 11:31 pm
"get fat neighborhood kid to stand on the end of the axle"
Hahaha...that was me...I was the fat kid jumping on my axle.

If it hasn't been mentioned already, you can use the rear shocks for a 1980 Thunderbird, press out the bottom bushing, and swap in the Tercel stock bushing.
1977 BMW R100S 1WD ("Brunhilda"/Summer Fun)
1983 DLX Tercel Wagon 4WD ("Charlie"/Daily Driver)
1987 SR5 Tercel Wagon 4WD ("Sprocket"/Off-road-Camping)
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1983 SR5 Tercel Wagon 4WD ("Cadaver"/Parts Car)
1985 Ford F250 6.9IDI ("Franklin"/Hauler)
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Petros
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Re: How to install pathfinder springs?

Post by Petros »

blurst,

what may happen is when you go over pot holes or drop offs at speed, the axle will drop and with the shock length too short, it will top out the shock. the piston will slam against the top of the shock housing, usually damaging the upper seal. after that, all the oil leaks out and it is gone.

they make generic shock mount extenders just for the purpose of raising the ride, but the best thing would be to get the longer shocks. The extender kit typically cost about $20. search on the internet for them. a quick search I found the one pictured.
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'87 Tercel 4wd SR5 (current engine swap project)
'84 Tercel 4wd (daily driver, with on going mods)
'92 Mazda MPV 4wd (wife's daily driver)
'85 Tercel 4wd DLX auto(daughter's daily driver)
'01 Honda Civic (other daughter's daily driver)
blurst
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Re: How to install pathfinder springs?

Post by blurst »

Awesome thanks everyone.

So obviously adding these springs has given me a bit of a substantial rake.... Can anyone explain to me what the negative side effects to driving with a rake like that are?

Also in this process I accidentely disconnected my parking brake line going to the rear right wheel, any tips for reconnecting or fixing this issue?
blurst
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Re: How to install pathfinder springs?

Post by blurst »

Dont worry, I solved the brake mystery.
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teranfirbt
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Re: How to install pathfinder springs?

Post by teranfirbt »

I find the handling to be much more neutral with the pathfinder springs, no more understeer. You'll need to reaim your headlights as they are now pointed at the ground, I had to go to the max range on the adjuster to get mine happy.
Otherwise I carry a lot more weight without bottoming compared to stock. Your fuel mileage may suffer a bit as you now have a little more frontal area pushing through the air.
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Petros
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Re: How to install pathfinder springs?

Post by Petros »

That is not an uncommon problem on cars this old. Repkacement cable assemblies are fairly inexpensive to buy. Put corrosion inhibiting compound such as LPS or CRC ot make it last a little longer.
'87 Tercel 4wd SR5 (current engine swap project)
'84 Tercel 4wd (daily driver, with on going mods)
'92 Mazda MPV 4wd (wife's daily driver)
'85 Tercel 4wd DLX auto(daughter's daily driver)
'01 Honda Civic (other daughter's daily driver)
señor.tercel4wd
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Re: How to install pathfinder springs?

Post by señor.tercel4wd »

If you're using pathfinder springs (Moog CC247) the corresponding rear shocks are KYB #343162. I would assume you still have to drill out the bushings and replace them with stock tercel bushings but #2 - The Abra-Cadaver Lift
from viewtopic.php?f=2&t=13106&hilit=Definitive didn't specify that...
'83 Tercel SR5 Wagon Overland Build Thread >>> viewtopic.php?f=6&t=14880
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