Save up to 15% with Adrian Flux insurance!

Technical Lowering springs...

Currently reading:
Technical Lowering springs...

Luke P

Luke P

Patron member
Parked in the garage
Joined
Aug 10, 2008
Messages
630
Points
109
Location
Wiltshire
My apologies if this has been covered elsewhere but here goes...

I see lowering spings for sale occasionally in my forays around web motor factors... If I wanted to lower Sparky by 30 or 40mm I have a few questions:

1. Would I have to change the shocks or would they squash down to suit the springs?

2. Does my point of maximum suspension travel remain the same or will the tyres chomp into the arches? Bump stops might come into play?

3. Would the springs have the same compression rate or would they be proportionally stiffer to accommodate the same ammount of load over a shorter travel?

I hope the above isn't total gibberish...

I hope someone can help....... I think Craig is interested too and it'd be soooo cool if all you have to do is just replace the existing springs.

Cheers all in anticipation, Luke. (y)
 
I'd be very ineterested. the only thing i'd be concerend about is of the shocks are to long for the springs, and the springs end up being loose and wobbling about on the bushes.

The other thing, the back of a panda is quiet high... mainly because all that is at the back of one is a boot lid. If you were to go 40mm lower all round. would the car sit level, or would it still be higher at the back than front, just 40mm lower all round?

Think Damons might have the answers
 
Good news boys. All you have to do is buy the springs. They will be stiffer, infact they will be even proportionally stiffer than your current springs and enable much faster cornering by reducing roll.

You can use existing dampers. Full travel remains at the bump stop.

There is potential to wear out a few other suspension components a little quicker by doing the mod, but I say go for it! There are very little downsides with the panda as it rides so high from standard and has such soft springs. Getting lowering springs almost just puts it in the realm of other cars!

You can ask Firstcar-Y10 for more info of living with a lowered car in terms of any unusual wear he might have.
 
I have jamex lowering springs on the van, and in answer to your questions the shocks will squidge (tech term :D) down yet have less travel, i've driven about on standard length shocks for about 10 years on these springs and never had a problem, just expect to hit the bump stops now and again on bumpy roads - you can always cut a little bit off your bump stops:devil:
As for tyres chomping (another tech term:D) on rear arches, its all dependant on the offset on your wheels and how big your tyres are - ive got 13x5.5 width wheels with the offset for an X19 with 185/60/13 on and they DO chomp on the rear arches (and since i cut my springs even more chomp on the front too:eek:) But with less fat wheels and tyres they should be fine - you can always roll (hammer the hell) on the inner arch lip to get the extra clearence:D
Lowered springs are usually uprated, so they are 'less springy' which is why cutting down a standard set of springs isnt always recomended.
Aside from that they are a direct replacement job(y)
Hope this answers a few of your questions;)

Just read the other posts - I havent found anything that wares out any quicker than usual.............
 
Last edited:
purple haze said:
check the 123 bit...i think it means 2per kit and it says about using std dampers/shocks....kev
Click to expand...
Only the first note is relevant in the case of the proposed modified Pandas. (Special order only - non-returnable).

There are only 2 springs in the Mk1 kit because it's got leaves. There will be four in the mk2 version.
 
Last edited:
purple haze said:
I have a set of spring compressers you can borrow Craig...(y)
Click to expand...

TBH, you dont even need compressors to fit them - just undo one end of the shocks on the back, allows the axle to drop down enough, dont forget the springs are shorter than stock ones:p

You might possibly need compressors to get the old front ones off........
 
Last edited:
Panda Van said:
You might possibly need compressors to get the old front ones off........
Click to expand...

Doesn't the Panda have MacPherson struts on the front? If so, you WILL need compressors to remove AND replace the springs. Don't even attempt to change them without compressors as you're dealing with parts that have the potential to cause serious injury. I don't mean to be a scaremongerer but a compressed spring letting go can really do some nasty damage :eek:
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

Hharbers
Technical Lift 4x4 by Adding leaf spring
Replies
4
Views
246
porta
porta
P
General Panda MK1 lower body grey color code
Replies
5
Views
249
the green vanper
the green vanper
R
Technical OEM Leaf springs for a 1988 Fiat Panda 4x4
Replies
0
Views
583
ru hulsenbeck
R
P
Technical rear coil springs 2wd
Replies
7
Views
2K
Yolanda
Yolanda
E
Technical Door lock got detached, any guides on putting the lock and spring back in place?
Replies
3
Views
952
bugsymike
B
Back
Top