VTS Ride Height after Lowering

1. Daremm L-plater Joined: Jan 2014 Posts: 58

   #1 20th December 2014, 17:01

   Hi,
   
   Bilstein Dampers combined with Eibach Pro Springs. Should the front and rear of the car be level, or slightly higher at the rear? Should the measurement be taken from the top of the tyre to the beginning of the arch (put hand in and see how many fingers between the gap and measure - I know, rough guide, but actual gap measured with tape is 35mm).
   
   Local garage has measured up from centre of wheel to beginning of front and rear arch and the difference is 12mm higher at the rear. Picked up the car yesterday, and the gap looks bigger than that, as if grown overnight.
   
   Car has had a sub in the rear, which I don't want and should have taken it out. Now if I take it out I'm concerned car is going to be even higher at the rear and look stupid.
   
   Car has 16inch Pro Race 1.2's, with 195/45/16 tyres, but on Monday these are being swapped for standard 15inch VTS alloys with 195/45/15 tyres.
   
   Should I be asking my garage to make the car level regardless of wheel change? Where should they be measuring from? They haven't done this before, but they are technichally adept, and willing to do whatever is necessary.
   
   Thanks,
   
   
   Darren
2. Daremm L-plater Joined: Jan 2014 Posts: 58

   #2 20th December 2014, 17:43

   Another question:-
   
   When changing dampers and springs should all of the suspension bushes be changed at the same time? If so, is it worth upgrading to poly bushes, or sticking with rubber bushes - car is to be for everyday use, no track use.
   
   Thanks,
   
   
   Darren
3. pedromakarachi Infrequent Poster Joined: Sep 2014 Wigan, Lancashire Posts: 129 Citroen Saxo Vtr

   #3 20th December 2014, 20:14

   You don't really need to be changing bushes unless they are worn if it's for a daily driver.
   
   I'm glad I read this as I am looking to run the same set up on mine in the New Year. I have the Bilsteins but just need to get the Eibach 50mm sportline springs.
   
   Regards setting the ride height of the car, bearing in mind I am only working of what I was told by ABP in Crewe, there are three ways of lowering and setting the ride height at the rear. One is the spline approach where they remove the torsion bars and adjust by a spline or two. Another is to measure from the top of the rim to the top of the wheel to the wheel arch and adust the radius arms before re-inserting the torsion bars. The final way is to measure the gap between the floor and the sill and set the rear radius arms so the car sits level.
   
   If your going for style/looks the choice is up to you.
   
   Personally I'm going to run a bit of rake(lower at the front/slightly higher at the rear) as I'm going to be tracking mine and maybe some auto testing in the new year.
4. user_7 Frequent Poster Joined: Dec 2002 United Kingdom Posts: 700 Mk6 Golf GTD Saxo VTS Project Rally Car

   #4 21st December 2014, 20:37

   I was always led to believe the rear should be 15mm (approx) higher at the rear. You should measure from the hub lip (where the wheel locates) up to the bottom of the arch, but I imagine hub centre wouldn't be too far out.