1.1i Desire suspension / brake / rear beam upgrade

12th December 2012, 08:34

I have a 2002 Saxo 1.1i Desire.

I want to know if the suspension from a VTR / VTS will fit my car?

To use VTR / VTS struts on my 1.1i Desire, do I need the VTR / VTS front suspension struts, anti roll bar, drop links & wishbones?

Does anyone have any personal experience of doing this type of suspension upgrade to a 1.1i?

Also, I'm thinking about changing the whole rear suspension beam / brakes.

What parts do I need to change to make a disc brake rear beam fit my 1.1i?

(I think my rear beam is needing to be overhauled, so am thinking about getting a fully reconditioned disc rear beam, any suggestions as to who s the cheapest to supply only?)

Cheers,
Pete.

12th December 2012, 08:45

Hi Pete,

As far as I'm aware mate, you should just need the struts, and anti roll bar, I'm not sure all base models had it? You'll also need to find out if you have tapered or flat driveshafts and get the correct struts accordingly.

The beam will likely be a little more complex, you'll have drums currently so you'll need the brake lines etc to convert to a disc beam, also the VT beams are a slightly wider track iirc so you may have issues with clearing the arches on standard wheels with a flat arch car.

It's do-able but a fair bit of work. Most will say just save get a VT car, but if you're keen it's a good way to get your fingers dirty and learn. Also a VT car may not be practical. I had a 1.0 SPi 106 years ago to do a lot of commuting. I did 45k in 18 months in it, stripped out with basic brake upgrades and the like, but standar engine, it was a hoot to throw down back roads and regularly returned 60+mpg

12th December 2012, 08:48

Forgot to mention, your front wishbones shouldn't need changing.

12th December 2012, 09:01

Hi D4MJT,

Thanks for your advice.

The wishbones on my car are the type where the anti roll bar bolts directly to the top of the wishbone, not the suspension strut (like VTR / VTS struts?)

Will my existing driveshafts fit the VTR / VTS hubs?

I'm ideally looking for all the parts requird for the front suspension / brake setup to be found from some form of donor car.

I'm wanting to stick with the 1.1i desire due to the cost of petrol & the amount of miles I need to travel, unfortunately.

Cheers,
Pete

12th December 2012, 09:05

Just noticed your comment about getting the driveshafts to fit.

I've just bough 2 reconditioned driveshafts for the current 2002 1.1i setup.

I guess what your saying is, I need to make sure I get some mk2 front struts / hub?

Cheers,
Pete.

12th December 2012, 09:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by pete69zx

Just noticed your comment about getting the driveshafts to fit.

I've just bough 2 reconditioned driveshafts for the current 2002 1.1i setup.

I guess what your saying is, I need to make sure I get some mk2 front struts / hub?

Cheers,
Pete.

Basically yeah, as far as I'm aware. I'm sure someone else will confirm, my 1.0i was a ph1, and my VTS is a ph2, ph2 has tapered driveshafts. So if you're recon driveshafts have tapered ends, then go for a mk2 VTS strut setup.

I didn't know that about the wishbones, so there you go! I'd swap them out as well then.