Styling Opinions on lowering....

[benny279]

Hello!

So I'm tempted to lower my car so I thought instead of buying the springs first and then see what I think, I thought I'd hop on Photoshop and mess about and see what it'd look like, heres my result

Opinions opinions opinions???

Although I'm intending to go for 35mm springs so I don't it'd be that low on 35mm springs, unless I'm wrong?

Thanks!

Benny

 

[wrightyy]

That looks around 70mm at the back and about 50 on the front mate. It would look good tho

 

[benny279]

That looks around 70mm at the back and about 50 on the front mate. It would look good tho

This is probably as close as ill get to 35mm I THINK

What you think mate?

Benny

 

[wrightyy]

This is probably as close as ill get to 35mm I THINK

What you think mate?

Benny

Still looks too low at the back to be 35mm. A set of 35's will make it look better tho :thumbup:

Edit: Actually think I'm wrong there, it does look about right!

 

[benny279]

Still looks too low at the back to be 35mm. A set of 35's will make it look better tho :thumbup:

Edit: Actually think I'm wrong there, it does look about right!

Yeah blame PS for that or my lack of effort for detail but yes I agree 35 will make the car look better, might do it soon

Benny

 

[wrightyy]

Ha, yeah you should do mate. Small drop but still noticeable

 

[benny279]

Ha, yeah you should do mate. Small drop but still noticeable

I agree with that, even yours looked great on 35mm but you wanted lower but everyones different

Benny

 

[Ziggy122]

pre-checks first

A - are your track rod ends in good condition? If No See B, Yes skip to C
B - Get 2x new track rods fitted - go to next step
C - Get the tracking done after the suspension has settled

Why?
lowering a car adjusts the tracking, as the wheels follow the suspensions movement, the tracking moves in a similar pattern

So lower = Scrubbing wheels = £££

Tracking = £ = Longer tyre life again

As for my opinions go very muchly on where you live

Lots of speed bumps? country roads? Pot hole city? Kerb parking?
Spine in good condition?

Ziggy

 

[benny279]

pre-checks first

A - are your track rod ends in good condition? Yes
C - Get the tracking done after the suspension has settled

Why?
lowering a car adjusts the tracking, as the wheels follow the suspensions movement, the tracking moves in a similar pattern

So lower = Scrubbing wheels = £££

Tracking = £ = Longer tyre life again

As for my opinions go very muchly on where you live

Lots of speed bumps? Not too many
country roads? Live in a City and barely use Country roads Pot hole city? here and there yes
Kerb parking? No
Spine in good condition? All good here

Ziggy

Hows that sound?

Benny

 

[fingers99]

You can try it by using lowering springs on the stock shocks but as the seals will operate on a different portion of the strut/damper rod, expect them to start misting within a couple of months.

Pay attention to the bump stops, or you may find yourself loosing it before you can say "Oh fcuk!".

 

[benny279]

You can try it by using lowering springs on the stock shocks but as the seals will operate on a different portion of the strut/damper rod, expect them to start misting within a couple of months.

Pay attention to the bump stops, or you may find yourself loosing it before you can say "Oh fcuk!".

care to explain misting?

thanks

benny

 

[fingers99]

When the seals are a little worn (as opposed to completely buggered) oil from inside the damper tends to get blown out as a mist (often you can see this as a dark oil covering on the top of the shock) rather than as a jet (a very obvious leak). MOT folk will look for both, as well as doing the woefully inadequate bounce test (which just shows that there's some damping still going on).

The reality is that any damper will be well past its best after 40,000 miles, though.

 

[benny279]

When the seals are a little worn (as opposed to completely buggered) oil from inside the damper tends to get blown out as a mist (often you can see this as a dark oil covering on the top of the shock) rather than as a jet (a very obvious leak). MOT folk will look for both, as well as doing the woefully inadequate bounce test (which just shows that there's some damping still going on).

The reality is that any damper will be well past its best after 40,000 miles, though.

Thought it might be that, but lets say shocks/springs were replaced say in 2009-2010 (obviously, well before I brought the car) how good would they be?

Benny

 

[fingers99]

They'd be OKish. It's going to depend a lot on mileage and use.

I'd say experiment with the springs, see what it looks like. At least, when the shocks do fail, you'll have the tools and the experience to replace them (and the nuts and bolts will be reasonably free). GT 85 or Plus Gas at least a day before recommended. WD40 is pretty poor as a penetrating fluid.

 

[benny279]

They'd be OKish. It's going to depend a lot on mileage and use.

I'd say experiment with the springs, see what it looks like. At least, when the shocks do fail, you'll have the tools and the experience to replace them (and the nuts and bolts will be reasonably free). GT 85 or Plus Gas at least a day before recommended. WD40 is pretty poor as a penetrating fluid.

Well I've removed a lot of suspension before haha just never on a punto

But thats, just like taking whole unit off and putting a new full unit in etc, so I know the basics of taking suspension apart like removing springs.

And for gt 85 or plus gas, motor factors or b&q?

Benny

 

[fingers99]

Yep. Halfords were doing a special deal on GT 85, but I don't know if it's still on.

 

[benny279]

I'll have a look but surely gt 85 isn't that expensive these days?

Benny

 

[fingers99]

Nah. But it was absurdly cheap with the offer -- I nearly forgot to whip the trade card out!

 

[benny279]

Nah. But it was absurdly cheap with the offer -- I nearly forgot to whip the trade card out!

cant forget the trade card

I'll have to pick some up when im next near halfords

Benny

 

[Zarazzamatazz]

thought you may be interested to know iv ordered some eibach sportline lowering springs for the mk2b, highly recommended apparently. I picked them over the fk street coilovers as I live on country roads ect and they are apparently very crashy and unpleasant with a "cheap" feel. Will put up photos when its done, and clean