un lowering

3rd January 2013, 12:50

Seen a really nice 205 gti but it has been lowered. I realise that there are cheap easy ways of lowering cars that are hard to undo but if it has been done properly would it be easy to undo? And more importantly how can I check for a poor job compared to a good one? I seem to remember that if its been done by the torsion bars its possible to be undone? Thanks.

3rd January 2013, 12:53

If you PM a member on the forums "Prickle" he'll be able to help you with this.

He's quite against lowering and has converted several cars to a higher ride height

3rd January 2013, 12:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ross

If you PM a member on the forums "Prickle" he'll be able to help you with this.

He's quite against lowering and has converted several cars to a higher ride height

Thanks for the advice

3rd January 2013, 13:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by jdr

Thanks for the advice

I should comment that I was joking - Prickle gets ribbed for not lowering his car and although he probably can help you, I was joking about the PM

Thanks to Chris_O for reporting the post to the mods (er, me then...) and basically being a killjoy.

In answer to your question, the rear of cars with torsion bars can be lowered by a method referred to as "the click method" - this is what is bad for the beam as it knackers the bearings and is mega difficult to get the same ride height both sides of the car.

It could be hard to check how it's been done, but you can do it the correct way (measure the shock height/length) anyway and set it to your exact desired height. Standard, lower etc. That would "undo" any poor lowering method and give you a chance to inspect for any damage

3rd January 2013, 13:07

Just seeing if you were on the ball or not

And I wouldn't ever do a 'pm prickle' post, so I hope others don't too, it's out of order.

p.s. do it, it's funny as fuck

3rd January 2013, 13:08

Basically the beam is around 20 years old. Its most likely goosed or on its way. The only way to lower the rear is by torsion bars but often people damage the seals or fail to replace them so water gets in and kills the bearings.

Theres a polish company on ebay that does refurb beams for a good price. You might want to look at joining the 205gtidrivers club as a few people on there refurb them too.

Kev

3rd January 2013, 13:28

205 beams can only be lowerd one way matey so it cant of been lowerd incorrectly in terms of a method. Thats not to say that an idiot hasnt done it. There a little different to a saxo but it is still possible to damage the seals. Like Kam said if its the original beam its likely to need an overhaul anyways.

3rd January 2013, 13:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tom5190

205 beams can only be lowerd one way matey so it cant of been lowerd incorrectly in terms of a method. Thats not to say that an idiot hasnt done it. There a little different to a saxo but it is still possible to damage the seals. Like Kam said if its the original beam its likely to need an overhaul anyways.

Oh rly? Every day is a school day. I thought they were (near as) identical.

3rd January 2013, 13:54

They are very similar and the basic idea is the same, but the saxo/106 beam is the only one (or so im told and have been taught) that can be lowerd using the notches method.

Same method in that shock comes off arb out etc etc but on the inner torsion bar splines (depending what larger axle it is as in 306/205 etc) there is an adjustable bolt meaning you can set the arms at different distances on the pins (which is were the problems of an idiot doing it come into play if its set too far off centre the seal is rendered useless along with the track being messed up.)

The one thats closest to saxo/106 style is the 206 ones but still they need the bars out. The larger axles are imo alot easier than the saxo/106 ones (if removing the bars.)

3rd January 2013, 14:23

back in the day, we did the Renault 5's by the notch method (this is 15+ years ago mind you). That's why I thought (presumed) they were all the same

3rd January 2013, 14:31

They must be pretty much the same then ive not seen one before.

I no the mk1 clio's with the half bars are a really easy one to just pull each bar out of. Thats the best one ive ever done it took about 10 minutes including driving it into the workshop! You dont even need the wheels off they're awsome.

3rd January 2013, 14:40

thread title made me chuckle. "un lowering"

That'll be the same as raising then

in fact, I've never seen a lifted 106/saxo before D: can't be that hard

As far as I'm aware, don't the offset washers on a 106 axle hold the arms at the correct distance?

3rd January 2013, 18:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tom5190

They must be pretty much the same then ive not seen one before.

I no the mk1 clio's with the half bars are a really easy one to just pull each bar out of. Thats the best one ive ever done it took about 10 minutes including driving it into the workshop! You dont even need the wheels off they're awsome.

lol thats brilliant, only if saxos were like that

3rd January 2013, 18:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by MartinObviously

thread title made me chuckle. "un lowering"

That'll be the same as raising then

in fact, I've never seen a lifted 106/saxo before D: can't be that hard

As far as I'm aware, don't the offset washers on a 106 axle hold the arms at the correct distance?

Go and find Prickle's VTS then