Technical Lowering - where to start

[mattmuirhead93]

Ok so for a while I was happy with my car - then someone decided to point out the gap that makes the GP look like it's standing on it's tip toes. Ever since I've been toying with the idea to lower it.

Few problems, I live on a hill and I park on a hill - a steep one! What's the minimum I can lower it by to get rid of the gap and make it look good but not to make it too close to the ground that I leave a blue streak of paint on the drive? Also don't want to make the ride any less comfortable.

My second problem is I have no knowledge what so ever of lowering. What do I need to get? (Recommendations very welcome!) can I do it myself or take it to a garage? And the biggest question how much is it going to cost me?

Thanks in advance for your help!

 

[mr and mrs tjet]

Ok so for a while I was happy with my car - then someone decided to point out the gap that makes the GP look like it's standing on it's tip toes. Ever since I've been toying with the idea to lower it.

Few problems, I live on a hill and I park on a hill - a steep one! What's the minimum I can lower it by to get rid of the gap and make it look good but not to make it too close to the ground that I leave a blue streak of paint on the drive? Also don't want to make the ride any less comfortable.

My second problem is I have no knowledge what so ever of lowering. What do I need to get? (Recommendations very welcome!) can I do it myself or take it to a garage? And the biggest question how much is it going to cost me?

Thanks in advance for your help! View attachment 124483

Eibach sportlines are the most common on here, we have them dont really make much difference in the ride quality

 

[staffordmike]

First of all get someone to watch as you pull on to your drive, or better still watch for yourself as a friend or relative pulls on to it. Keep looking to see how much or how little clearance there is between the bottom of your car and the drive. Bear in mind that it may not be the sills that are lowest point on the car, it could be the exhaust or something else. Once you know how much room you've got to play with you can consider how much you can lower the suspension.

 

[SJB1985]

Get some Eibach Sportlines on your GP mate everyone on here that hasn't got coilovers has eibach sportlines/prokit new they will cost you about £140.00 to £160.00 new or as little as £60 to £80 used. They will lower your car by 45mm at the front and 30mm at the rear pro kit is 30mm/30mm.

In terms of getting them fitted I personally wouldn't attempt this due to safety issues, correct tools etc. I paid £80.00 to have mine fitted and haven't regretted it once!

Regards
Stephen

 

[Jordan92]

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Yeah that.

 

[mattmuirhead93]

Thanks everyone for the advice, in terms of buying used compared to new is there going to be much difference in performance? i.e. are the used ones likely to give a worse ride?

 

[Mjet220]

Rears are a **** ball, fronts the old springs jesus there squashed down, new ones slotted right in no issues under no tension

 

[Jordan92]

Thanks everyone for the advice, in terms of buying used compared to new is there going to be much difference in performance? i.e. are the used ones likely to give a worse ride?

No probably not unless they have lost there coating. Eibach are obviously a very well known an premium spring production company so all there producs are "no corners cut" quality and made to last. if you get them off someone on here chances are they will be fine but it is like buying anything 2nd hand just check before you buy. iv had mine on for nearly a year and i had the wheel off the other day and wipped the springs and they look brand new still

Jordan.

 

[Rackham115]

In terms of getting them fitted I personally wouldn't attempt this due to safety issues, correct tools etc. I paid £80.00 to have mine fitted and haven't regretted it once!

Regards
Stephen

What safety issues are there mate?

ive changed my top mounts for which the springs obviously have to be removed and the most dangerous part was not straining my back picking up the trolley jack lol. Shocks should be simple to remove, then spring compressors on, springs off, new springs on, shocks back in, job done .

 

[james44422]

I've heard horror stories of springs flying off and hitting and even impaling people

 

[SJB1985]

What safety issues are there mate?

ive changed my top mounts for which the springs obviously have to be removed and the most dangerous part was not straining my back picking up the trolley jack lol. Shocks should be simple to remove, then spring compressors on, springs off, new springs on, shocks back in, job done .

As said above by @james44422 I have heard some horror stories of springs flying off etc and also not being corerctly fitted correctly and causing problems etc. I always feel that it is best to err on the side of caution mate. I hear what you say and you obviously have the correct tools and understanding of how the job is to be done

Regards
Stephen

 

[Reuuk]

there is also the issue when tightening or loosening everything up that you wack the windscreen with your tools and crack it... Andy Monty

 

[Andy Monty]

there is also the issue when tightening or loosening everything up that you wack the windscreen with your tools and crack it... Andy Monty

Shhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

Op take a look at this

https://www.fiatforum.com/grande-pu...ice-replacement-front-spring-replacement.html

 

[dombooth]

there is also the issue when tightening or loosening everything up that you wack the windscreen with your tools and crack it... Andy Monty

Pmsl.

Dom

 

[Rackham115]

As said above by @james44422 I have heard some horror stories of springs flying off etc and also not being corerctly fitted correctly and causing problems etc. I always feel that it is best to err on the side of caution mate. I hear what you say and you obviously have the correct tools and understanding of how the job is to be done

Regards
Stephen

Ah right i see. Yeah a highly compressed spring is not something to be messed with. :devil: