Coil spring questions.

[timmay]

If I take the spring from an ink pen and try to compress it with my fingers, it rockets across the room. What keeps lifted coil springs from bowing out in the middle and collapsing? Is there a limit to how tall a coil spring can be? What about 24" tall?

Thanks.

 

[southernspeed]

When you get to the point of needing long springs the only way to go would be 'coil over'. I've seen some long std type springs and some times they look like they're about to do the biro spring trick. (wouldn't want to get in the way of that!!)

Rubicon Express seem to use fairly long ones on their J#*ps