Lowering Focus 1.6 on 17's?
 

Hi, just came across the site tonight when looking for some information on lowering my car.
I've just fitted some ST170 wheels but its looking a bit too high.
I was looking at getting some Eibach 30mm lowering springs, but was wondering if the standard shockers would survive, or if there would be any problems with the tyres rubbing the arches?
Also, what about the tracking? Its just about perfect now, but once its lowered, will i have any problems with tyre wear?
Don't fancy shelling out £90 each corner every so often if not!!

30mm on standard st170 wheels will be fine, the shocks will be ok too, any lower and that though and you will ideally want to change the shocks.

Ok, cheers for that - any ideas on the tracking?

It should be fine but you might want to get it checked afterwards. I have lowered loads of cars and have never had a problem with it knocking out the tracking!

Remember lowering can in some cases do more harm than good, I.E one biggest misconceptions is that it can improve handling, when in fact it can ruin your geometry and cause tracking problems in some cases, a little is normally ok so long as it's not excessive, 30MM sounds alot to me, the ST out of interest is 10MM lower IIRC.

Martin

30mm is next to nothing. Those Eibach springs you are looking at getting are Ford approved (you can even buy them from the Ford parts desk) so will be fine!

Well would i be best off fitting some OEM ST170 springs? Or will it be too low on the front as the ST170 engine is heavier than my lawnmower?

I didn't think a 30mm would cause any problems myself though...

30mm is just fine, as said the parts are available from fords (so at least OEM as the ST170 springs) and was an option when new. ST170 springs are around 10mm lower than standard.
Not too pricey considering they're 'proper' parts.
http://www.fordpartsuk.com/shop/ford...g_kit_1336.htm

Thanks for that, i think i've made my mind up now - Eibachs here we go :grin:

Thanks for the pointers guys. The car is my daily driver so hopefully won't be too hard with the standard shocks :rolleyes:

I've ordered the Eibach kit now, but have heard that the rears can be a pain to do, due to removing the bottom bolt which can seize, resulting in replacing the rear bushes, but which bushes are these, and should i replace them anyway?
I've noticed a knocking noise from the rear getting louder over time - thought it may be ARB links, but was gonna replace those too.

In short - which other bits can i replace on the back and front whilst the suspensions in bits, bar the struts, which i think are good...?

The botton bolt on the hub can sieze in which can cause it to snap, then you are in bother. What I have done in the past is undo the top shock absorber mount inside the boot, unbolt the anti roll bar link, then get a mate to stand on top of the rear drum to drop it as far down as possible while you lever the spring out with a lever bar. It also helps to put spring clamps INSIDE the spring, up through the hole in the lower arm so you can clamp it as far as possible.

The new spring should fit in a bit easier because it is shorter.

Ok, maybe thats the option i need to take if i'm doing the ARB links anyway - i'll wait until i have it in bits and see whats what...then start swearing when it all goes wrong :fume:

Hey guys, anyone know the Ford Finnis part number for the bottom hub bolt?

I've decided to do the job but want to get the bottom hub bolts just in case i run into difficulty before i start...:cry:

If i ring the dealer, should i just ask for the bottom hub bolt?

Well, i got my car back today with the Eibach springs fitted.
It looks great, its not too low, and handles noticably better than it did before on the twisty bits.
There's no rubbing on the arches at all, and the ride is a little firmer, but i'd say only a little!

To say these springs are offered by Ford Parts UK, i think these are a pretty safe bet IMO.

I'm gonna keep an eye on tyre wear as although i've had the wheel alignment done too, the camber looks to have been adjusted ever so slightly with the new Eibachs fitted, but other than that, really happy with the Eibach 30mm sprt kit ;-)