Geo Metro Suspension Swap (to handle extra battery weight)

[bennelson]

Here is a decent shot of what Geo rear suspension looks like, just so you have a better idea of what I am talking about.

[ZeroFuel]

Try some inexpensive spring rubbers. Local parts store should have them. Measure the gap between the spring coils. Get rubbers that are greater in width. Install 2 per spring. You may have to take the spring out to do it. I think you will find a big improvement.

[TestDrive]

If you schmooze the guy behind the counter at your local parts store, perhaps you can discover the OEM spring dimensions for your '96 Geo and for a 1982-1994 Cavalier (smallest, lightest vehicle in the list you linked to). Or maybe you could track down a set of overload shocks at a junk year; scavenge the springs and mount them on your shocks?

[Coyote X]

getting the rear springs out is real easy. Take the 2 bolts off the strut tower. Don't take the center bolt off or it will take hours to line it back up! Then just jack the car up and the springs will fall out. All the hoses and stuff have plenty of play to let the wheel go down a foot or two.

I have a pile of metro springs here I will try and get out and measure once this last big snowstorm passes through to make sure the fronts will fit on the back end and how much longer they actually are. I am pretty sure they are bout 3 inches longer than the rear but I will measure them to make sure.

A really easy option would be to find a cheap set of spring rubbers and put them on top of the springs in the upper pockets. The springs will probably bind before it bottoms out but it should give you a bit more travel than it has now. If you have an old tire you could cut some donuts the same diameter of the springs and put them on top of the coil in the pocket. Just keep stacking them till you get it as thick as you want it. That way it doesn't cost anything to try other than a jigsaw blade or two to cut the donuts out.

[Frank Lee]

I think a dually Metro would be cool!

Really fill that sucka up with batteries!

[bennelson]

I contacted Sue at Airlift to ask what part number might best fit the rear of a '96 Geo Metro.

When I measured the rear springs the other day, it looked like they were 4 inches across the inside of the spring, and the spring was about 7.25/7.5 inches tall.

Sue said that their item #60774 is a kit of 4" diameter by 7 inch tall airbags. (They recommend too short over too tall)

I looked up that part and saw that it's listed for a Nissan Murano. Seems like of wierd that springs from a Metro and Murano would be the same! I assume that the Murano springs are the same size but much stiffer?

Here's a link to that particular product:
Nissan Murano Air Bag Helper Spring Kit 2003-2007 - "Air Lift 1000" Suspension by Air Lift

[ZeroFuel]

Ben

I have used AirLift products in the past with mixed results. You will get the lift & support you want. The problem I had was the area around the fitting for the air line would leak after a short period of use. Hope you have better luck.

[MazdaMatt]

Do these things get pumped up and left, or do they have a compressor for on-the-fly fill/dump? I have heard of airbags that just have a shrader valve allowing you to pump it up or drop it off to your needs and leave it there.

[ZeroFuel]

The units I had were pump up as needed. You do need to keep a minimum amount of air in the bags to prevent damage. I think it was 10-15psi. I believe they offer an on board compressor system.

[my first gmc]

I would just replace the coil with a convoluted bag. They can handle up to 2600lbs each and would be far more reliable and better quality.