Lowering 50mm...

1. Luke Saxperience Hardcore! Joined: Dec 2005 Bradford Posts: 26687 '15 Focus ST-2

   #1 15th March 2007, 20:19

   Anyday now my lowering springs should be arriving, so I wondering if anyone can answer these questions for me.
   
   1) - I'm going to uprate the shocks sometime this year so which ones am I best to buy?
   
   2) When it's lowered 50mm, will I need to move the PAS pipe?
   
   3) Will the tracking need re-doing?
   
   4) Should I be ok to get on ramps etc for MOT/Servicing.
   
   Thanks in advance.
   
   Luke
2. Predator_R32p Super Moderator Joined: Mar 2003 Durham (England) Posts: 37932 1. AX 2. Mk2 Saxo VTR 3. MK4 R32 DBP

   #2 15th March 2007, 20:30

   1. id get same make shocks as springs mate
   
   2. yes you will just get something wedge in between the steering arm and pipe and bend it
   
   3. id recommend it
   
   4. yes should be ok on the ramps, you might not get a trolley jack under, also depends what ramp it is, if its just a drive on one then yes and if its the ones were you have to put the plate under the 4 jacking points you might have trouble, but all you do is roll it on some blocks of wood
3. Luke Saxperience Hardcore! Joined: Dec 2005 Bradford Posts: 26687 '15 Focus ST-2

   #3 15th March 2007, 20:36

   Gotta spread some more love around mate, sorry!Thanks for the information though mate, much appreciated.
   
   I'm fitting my strutbrace is getting fitted this weekend and then lowered weekend after, so I shouldn't have to get under it again I don't think. I shouldn't get any rubbing though should I?
4. chrismurra Frequent Poster Joined: Jan 2007 cumbria uk Posts: 812 white saxo VTS

   #4 15th March 2007, 20:37

   myne is down 50 havent had problens with ramps as of yet and i havent moved the pas pipe yet but i will be over the weekend if it needs doing tracking was fine afterwards. i fount the rear wheel to rub on the handbrake cable so i cabel tied it back a bit. big thanks to pred for recomending the suspension kit a while back its class not even that bumpy well not as bumpy as i thaught it wud be and it handels like a dreem
5. chrismurra Frequent Poster Joined: Jan 2007 cumbria uk Posts: 812 white saxo VTS

   #5 15th March 2007, 20:40

   Quote:

   Originally Posted by Luke Gotta spread some more love around mate, sorry!Thanks for the information though mate, much appreciated. I'm fitting my strutbrace is getting fitted this weekend and then lowered weekend after, so I shouldn't have to get under it again I don't think. I shouldn't get any rubbing though should I?

   depends on the tyres mate i have 195/45/r16 and myne rubs on the back rubs like a mother fucker. im going to remove the rear bumper bracket as this isthe only place it rubs hope this helps mate
6. Luke Saxperience Hardcore! Joined: Dec 2005 Bradford Posts: 26687 '15 Focus ST-2

   #6 15th March 2007, 20:41

   Well I only have VTR wheels...so it's 185/55 R14 so I'm VERY much doubt they will, but just wanted to ask the question.
   
   Cheers mate, rep left
7. kevin_172 Established Member Joined: Jan 2006 Staines massive!! Posts: 2144 02 clio 172

   #7 15th March 2007, 20:54

   the only problem i have is speed bumps, mine is ment to be 40mm but its more like 60 i think
8. Luke Saxperience Hardcore! Joined: Dec 2005 Bradford Posts: 26687 '15 Focus ST-2

   #8 15th March 2007, 20:59

   I should be ok over the speed bumps near me as Craig has been over them and he is down around 60.
9. chrismurra Frequent Poster Joined: Jan 2007 cumbria uk Posts: 812 white saxo VTS

   #9 15th March 2007, 21:00

   Quote:

   Originally Posted by angelVTR98 the only problem i have is speed bumps, mine is ment to be 40mm but its more like 60 i think

   i havent came across any speed bump issues as of yet
10. chrismurra Frequent Poster Joined: Jan 2007 cumbria uk Posts: 812 white saxo VTS

    #10 15th March 2007, 21:00

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Luke Well I only have VTR wheels...so it's 185/55 R14 so I'm VERY much doubt they will, but just wanted to ask the question. Cheers mate, rep left

    thanks for the rep i need it lol
11. Luke Saxperience Hardcore! Joined: Dec 2005 Bradford Posts: 26687 '15 Focus ST-2

    #11 15th March 2007, 21:08

    No problems mate.
    
    Anymore advice that anyone can give? I want to make sure I do everything right.
12. Yates Saxperience Hardcore! Joined: Mar 2005 Pompey/Darlo Posts: 31546 MK1 - 1.1 Animal

    #12 16th March 2007, 09:37

    1) - Billies!
    
    2) I didnt have a problem with mine at all
    
    3) Never done mine and never had any problems
    
    4) Had no problems again, fit on perfect to the mini ramps at hi q as well, was less than a cm from touching the ramp, but if you have problems, then all they need to do is reverse it on
13. Scottp Administrator Joined: Dec 2002 Glasgow United Kingdom (Scotland) Posts: 26097 Chelski Traktor

    #13 16th March 2007, 09:53

    1) Bilstein ones from GMC (or other supplier) they are shortened so should cope better with the drop.
    
    2) Its not guaranteed on any model or ride height or wheel size, check it to be sure, see premium guide for fix.
    
    3) Yes the tracking will need redoing, it might seem fine but you have made a major adjustment to the suspension and alignment. Or new tyres frequently.
    
    4) Drive on ramps should be fine, 4 points will be a problem. I had some metral ramps made up that i could chuck in the car for mot etc... just incase
14. hesslevtr Saxperience Hardcore! Joined: May 2004 Hull (England) Posts: 18709 1.6 vtr

    #14 16th March 2007, 10:01

    1 biullies as mentiones
    
    2 yes you will just jack car up at that side and bend with some bar
    
    3 yes as it will be all out
    
    4 depends what ramps mine only just goes on my MOT one (4poster) goes on 2 poster ramps ok the garage will probley have a few peaces of wood about just incase though
15. Yates Saxperience Hardcore! Joined: Mar 2005 Pompey/Darlo Posts: 31546 MK1 - 1.1 Animal

    #15 16th March 2007, 10:05

    thinking about it, i did have mine done on the vtr
16. Baz Saxperience Hardcore! Joined: Nov 2005 Coventry Posts: 17782 Fiesta ST150

    #16 16th March 2007, 10:16

    had no problems with rubbing on mine, even with a full car. I havent touched the PAS Pipe as i don't know where its ment to rub lol can't hear anything rubbing so i assume its ok lol
17. Barry123 Saxperience Hardcore! Joined: Oct 2005 Aycliffe Posts: 32205 Saxo VTS

    #17 16th March 2007, 10:59

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by chrismurra depends on the tyres mate i have 195/45/r16 and myne rubs on the back rubs like a mother fucker. im going to remove the rear bumper bracket as this isthe only place it rubs hope this helps mate

    As your keeping the alloy and tyres which are factory standard you should be ok. the reason being, even though you are lowering it, it would still be within a level that the wheel would move up and down through usual and aggressive driving.... thus no rubbing its when non factory standard wheels are put on, thats when rubbing issues start
18. hesslevtr Saxperience Hardcore! Joined: May 2004 Hull (England) Posts: 18709 1.6 vtr

    #18 16th March 2007, 11:09

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by baz_saxo had no problems with rubbing on mine, even with a full car. I havent touched the PAS Pipe as i don't know where its ment to rub lol can't hear anything rubbing so i assume its ok lol

    look at the guides it tells you there
    
    it will be rubbing through
19. Predator_R32p Super Moderator Joined: Mar 2003 Durham (England) Posts: 37932 1. AX 2. Mk2 Saxo VTR 3. MK4 R32 DBP

    #19 16th March 2007, 11:19

    id check my PAS pipe people, i know you say you havent had problems but just check to see if the braided cover is frayed on the pipe that will indicate its been rubbing, and its a cotly repair, for the sake of 5 minutes to check and bend them its worth it id say
20. hesslevtr Saxperience Hardcore! Joined: May 2004 Hull (England) Posts: 18709 1.6 vtr

    #20 16th March 2007, 11:22

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Predator_VTR id check my PAS pipe people, i know you say you havent had problems but just check to see if the braided cover is frayed on the pipe that will indicate its been rubbing, and its a cotly repair, for the sake of 5 minutes to check and bend them its worth it id say

    yup there about £45 from citroen
    
    my mates standard one rubs so im guessing all what are lowered are rubbing
21. Baz Saxperience Hardcore! Joined: Nov 2005 Coventry Posts: 17782 Fiesta ST150

    #21 16th March 2007, 11:23

    fair point, gonna have a gander when i get home from college
22. Predator_R32p Super Moderator Joined: Mar 2003 Durham (England) Posts: 37932 1. AX 2. Mk2 Saxo VTR 3. MK4 R32 DBP

    #22 16th March 2007, 11:26

    they might tke a few year to rub through but the wil eventually go through them as when the suspension is compressed thats when it rubs even if its for a few seconds
23. Hopcraft Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Jan 2006 Northampton Posts: 5957 ED30

    #23 16th March 2007, 11:51

    bit of a thread hijack, but luke, your cars gonna look schweet once down 50, your doing all the mods i wanna do once/if i get a vtr/s
24. riggsy Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Jan 2006 West Sussex Posts: 6280 Mk2 Saxo Vts

    #24 16th March 2007, 12:14

    1/ Deff billies mate, you have the same springs as me, i was going to get the eibach set but as people have said the billies are actualy shorter!
    
    2/ When ever you go over 40mm people say move the pas pipe!!
    
    3/ Will the tracking need re doing, what kind of a question is that lol, of course it will you have just changed the shcoks and springs and it has ended up at a completely different ride height lol, think mate think!
    
    4/ Yeah goes on ramps fine.
25. Baz Saxperience Hardcore! Joined: Nov 2005 Coventry Posts: 17782 Fiesta ST150

    #25 16th March 2007, 14:46

    ive not had tracking done on mine either how much am i looking at?
26. Predator_R32p Super Moderator Joined: Mar 2003 Durham (England) Posts: 37932 1. AX 2. Mk2 Saxo VTR 3. MK4 R32 DBP

    #26 16th March 2007, 14:51

    tracking will be quite a bit baz, unless your car is still under warranty
27. Baz Saxperience Hardcore! Joined: Nov 2005 Coventry Posts: 17782 Fiesta ST150

    #27 16th March 2007, 14:52

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Predator_VTR tracking will be quite a bit baz, unless your car is still under warranty

    nope, we didn't bother with the warrenty. Think i'll roll on the silver wheels then when i get them back, save the Toyo's tread a lil and have a scoot round for prices
28. Scottp Administrator Joined: Dec 2002 Glasgow United Kingdom (Scotland) Posts: 26097 Chelski Traktor

    #28 16th March 2007, 14:54

    i was sub 20 quid when i used to get the tracking done
29. riggsy Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Jan 2006 West Sussex Posts: 6280 Mk2 Saxo Vts

    #29 16th March 2007, 15:05

    £46 from a place near me and thats it going on the computer as its soo low!
    
    I havent had it done since ive had it lol dont drive it that much tbh.
    
    But you should realy get it done i will but im waiting untill i have uprated the shocks
30. Luke Saxperience Hardcore! Joined: Dec 2005 Bradford Posts: 26687 '15 Focus ST-2

    #30 16th March 2007, 18:17

    Thanks very much for all the information guys on the lowering, I'll rep people later on this evening when I get back in. My car is still covered under warranty, but surely taking it back to the dealer would invalidate as I have lowered the car etc. I'll just take it to a local tyre place and pay the extra for it to be done.
    
    I will also look at the Billies shocks, are they expensive? As I said it won't be until probably late summer time until I can replace them. I'll also leave the PAS pipe for a couple of months before moving it just to make sure.
    
    It's getting lowered VERY soon too
31. Luke Saxperience Hardcore! Joined: Dec 2005 Bradford Posts: 26687 '15 Focus ST-2

    #31 16th March 2007, 18:18

    People that can have rep from myself have done
    
    Thanks again guys, big help!
32. hesslevtr Saxperience Hardcore! Joined: May 2004 Hull (England) Posts: 18709 1.6 vtr

    #32 16th March 2007, 18:20

    yeah think the warrenty will be void after its lowered unless they dont notice but probley will
    
    trackings about 20-40 wouldnt pay no more then that
33. Luke Saxperience Hardcore! Joined: Dec 2005 Bradford Posts: 26687 '15 Focus ST-2

    #33 16th March 2007, 18:20

    Yeah, guy who looks after my car will do it cheap for me anyway!
    
    I'm pretty sure they would notice the lowering too.
34. riggsy Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Jan 2006 West Sussex Posts: 6280 Mk2 Saxo Vts

    #34 16th March 2007, 18:22

    Billies are not cheap, well actualy you do get what you pay for
35. Luke Saxperience Hardcore! Joined: Dec 2005 Bradford Posts: 26687 '15 Focus ST-2

    #35 16th March 2007, 18:23

    I'll look into it mate, it's not a major priority to get them changed quickly anyway!
36. riggsy Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Jan 2006 West Sussex Posts: 6280 Mk2 Saxo Vts

    #36 16th March 2007, 18:27

    I would get them done at the same time thought mate, saves money!
37. Luke Saxperience Hardcore! Joined: Dec 2005 Bradford Posts: 26687 '15 Focus ST-2

    #37 16th March 2007, 20:59

    I can only afford the lowering/springs at the moment though.
38. riggsy Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Jan 2006 West Sussex Posts: 6280 Mk2 Saxo Vts

    #38 17th March 2007, 16:06

    Hmmmm well i suppose labour will only cost you £40 for the front springs.
    
    So you will be looking at another £40 when it comes to fitting the front shocks as the springs have to come out again!
    
    Personal id wait and get it all done at the same time!!
39. beastgtir Established Member Joined: Apr 2006 birmingham Posts: 2178 Soon to be another Honda!

    #39 17th March 2007, 16:12

    Get a modified track rod end for the pas pipe, there was someone selling it on ebay for £40..
40. Luke Saxperience Hardcore! Joined: Dec 2005 Bradford Posts: 26687 '15 Focus ST-2

    #40 17th March 2007, 20:03

    It won't cause major damage though if I don't.
    
    I have known a few people who lowered there cars and left the shocks, I'm sure it will be ok.
41. Barry123 Saxperience Hardcore! Joined: Oct 2005 Aycliffe Posts: 32205 Saxo VTS

    #41 17th March 2007, 20:04

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Luke It won't cause major damage though if I don't. I have known a few people who lowered there cars and left the shocks, I'm sure it will be ok.

    it'll just reduce the life of shock in theory. but if you're changing them at a later date then you'll be fine.
42. Luke Saxperience Hardcore! Joined: Dec 2005 Bradford Posts: 26687 '15 Focus ST-2

    #42 17th March 2007, 20:12

    Yeah, that's what I meant mate.
    
    I know it will reduce the life, but I'll replace them before end of the year.