Several months ago, I cut my suspension springs (actually, I cut a spare set, so I still have the original springs) on my 1987 244. 2 1/2 coils in front and 2 coils in the rear. I did a lot of research, and from what I read, those cuts seemed low but safe.

For the first couple of weeks of driving, I noticed that a wheel alignment would bring my steering wheel back to center, but everything else seemed fine. My tires weren't wearing out, and my gas mileage remained the same as before.

However, after I jumped in the car and proceeded to leave my work, I noticed that the car was pulling very hard to the right. I couldn't figure out what it was, and I soon took it in to a shop for an alignment. The shop called me back, said I had a blown steering rack; the tires pulled hard to the right when lifted up on the rack, and an alignment wasn't prudent or that necessary.

So I spent a LONG time trying to find a manual rack for a decent price. I finally found a remanufactured power rack from Auto Zone for $170, and I was sick of waiting on individuals who said they would sell me one, but didn't get around to business with me.

I installed the new rack, with new tie rod ends, and took it in to the same shop. They did the alignment, which was now badly needed due to my poor ability to bring my steering into any sort of "ballpark" alignment when installing the new parts. However, after doing the work, they reported that the car was still pulling to the right. I was in the shop, and I walked out into the garage to take a look under the car with the mechanic, and the only guess that we had was that one or both of my front springs had unseated, and lo and behold, it looked like at least the right front spring was unseated from at least the top retainer. I guess that makes sense.

So now (whew!), my question is: Do I need short struts to use my shorter springs, and does anyone have a recommendation for such struts? Or should I cut my stock springs a half coil higher and install them, or do I need to buy the actual "sport springs" from IPD? I understand that the firm springs are better at lower ride heights, but the whole point was to save some money - I havn't bottomed out, and I don't race or drive the car that hard. In general, as far as bound and rebound, I like the feel just fine, and of course lower ride height is noticeably more enjoyable to drive.

I plan on lifting the front up just a bit to see if I can knock the spring back into the retainer (as a temporary fix, of course), but doesn't anyone have any suggestions? Thanks for reading,

Josh in IL