Why are used springs unsellable?

[billtebbutt]

I happens all the time on here and elsewhere. A barely (if at all) set of say Hypercoil springs that is worth US$175 new (plus tax and shipping) can't be given away. You hardly find buyers for these, ever. You would think that with the plethora of different formula cars out there, there would be plenty of interest inmost lengths/rates, but it never seems to be.

I have at least a dozen pairs that are of no use to me, and it doesn't seem even worth it to list them. Are springs just something that most club racers ignore, and as a result they don't try to optimize their car's performance. How many of you out there are like me with track boxes full of these?

Puzzled

bt

[Lastminuteracin]

What ya got in 2 1/4 by 6?

[DaveW]

IMO, there are so many lengths and ID's that for any given need, 90% of what's available isn't what potential buyers want. So folks just give up and buy what they want new.

[stonebridge20]

I've given up on trying to sell springs.

I've probably got 30+ sets.

Most likely they'll go for scrap after I die.

[Raceworks]

I happens all the time on here and elsewhere. A barely (if at all) set of say Hypercoil springs that is worth US$175 new (plus tax and shipping) can't be given away. You hardly find buyers for these, ever. You would think that with the plethora of different formula cars out there, there would be plenty of interest inmost lengths/rates, but it never seems to be.

I have at least a dozen pairs that are of no use to me, and it doesn't seem even worth it to list them. Are springs just something that most club racers ignore, and as a result they don't try to optimize their car's performance. How many of you out there are like me with track boxes full of these?

Puzzled

bt

Used race parts are kind of like selling "collectibles": You've got a relatively small market and it's often a matter of timing: someone willing to pay what you're asking has to happen to be in the market for what you're selling. Given the short attention span of most online shoppers they're not likely to haggle with you if they can find it cheaper somewhere else.

Sometimes I've had stuff on ApexSpeed or Ebay for a year or more before someone makes an offer. My general rule is I'll keept old stuff around until I need the space for something else, then it either goes into the garbage or I sell it to a scrapyard.

[Lotus7]

I too have maybe 20 pairs I’ve tried numerous times to sell over the years. Sold maybe 3 sets? I’ve wondered recently if people are simply “driving what they’ve got” rather than fine tuning for minimal gains?

[Lastminuteracin]

Like I say guys I’m looking for 2 1\4 by 6. What do you have? I’m a buyer.

[Fred Michael]

Like I say guys I’m looking for 2 1\4 by 6. What do you have? I’m a buyer.

Far easier to tell us what you are looking for

[BeerBudgetRacing]

Don't springs lose a bit of spring over time.

Especially something that sits 24/7/365 loaded ?

I think that is one of the problems.

[DaveW]

Don't springs lose a bit of spring over time.

Especially something that sits 24/7/365 loaded ?

I think that is one of the problems.

Good steel will not creep or yield as long as it's not stressed too close to (over) its yield point. Properly designed springs such as Hyperco never change as long as they're used properly. This is similar to the practice of backing off torque wrenches to less than 50% of their max rating, which is really not necessary as long as they are made properly. But we do it anyway, just to be safe.

Back in the day spring yielding was often an issue with springs made with the wrong spec of steel used close to (over) their yield point. Nowadays quality springs never yield and are good forever as long as they're not physically damaged.

[BeerBudgetRacing]

Good steel will not creep or yield as long as it's not stressed too close to (over) its yield point.
...
Back in the day spring yielding was often an issue with springs made with the wrong spec of steel used close to (over) their yield point. Nowadays quality springs never yield and are good forever as long as they're not physically damaged.

Well it's probably perspective then.

My perspective is a new spring will actually be what it says but a used spring is an unknown.
Then you've got to consider testing the used springs and what's the recourse if it's bad or you test wrong.
So any savings is quickly lost by time and possibly new equipment.

Most of us are using the recommendations of the rebuilders. So we're not buying a variety for optimizing.

[R. Pare]

Most springs, like Hypercos, are designed such that even at full compression, they are not reaching their yield stress. However, a spring that had gone coil bound HARD can be overstressed from the impact forces.

Springs can easily look like they have lost some height after being shipped to you and used. What happens is that the spring internal stresses can relax a bit from the vibrations it gets during shipping, but then "shrink" back to the design height after use -maybe 1/8th to1/4th inch, so don't panic if you see that with your new springs.

The one thing to look out for are used springs from Indycar and LMP teams. Hyperco produces what they call a "partial press" spring, which is designed to operate within a specific load range - the team knows how much the load the spring will see during races, never seeing more except from a bad crash. This design allow for a more compact and lighter spring. However, loading beyond the design level can overstress the spring.

I think that one issue in trying to sell used springs is that so many older springs are longer than what most cars actually need - eg - 6" springs are rarely used on formula cars nowadays, so guy are trying to get 4" springs instead.

[Lotus7]

Like I say guys I’m looking for 2 1\4 by 6. What do you have? I’m a buyer.

sorry, all ours are 2x4 and 2x5

[billtebbutt]

I will post what I'd like to get rid of, once I get my act together

[Robins Ken]

I happens all the time on here and elsewhere. A barely (if at all) set of say Hypercoil springs that is worth US$175 new (plus tax and shipping) can't be given away. You hardly find buyers for these, ever. You would think that with the plethora of different formula cars out there, there would be plenty of interest inmost lengths/rates, but it never seems to be.

I have at least a dozen pairs that are of no use to me, and it doesn't seem even worth it to list them. Are springs just something that most club racers ignore, and as a result they don't try to optimize their car's performance. How many of you out there are like me with track boxes full of these?

Puzzled

bt

Sarcasm here. Artwork on the helmet is more important then engineering.

[DaveW]

...How many of you out there are like me with track boxes full of these?

Puzzled

bt

I have 12 sets I take with me to the track including the 2 sets on the car. I have a couple more sets in the shop that I haven't used in years.

[BLS]

This same question about springs comes up with respect to firearm magazines which are spring loaded. The question is always the same, does keeping the spring compressed for long periods (loaded magazine) cause the spring to weaken? And the answer is no. It's fine to leave the magazine loaded for long periods (years even).