Benni

My car is being lowered tomorrow -35MM on eibach springs, Only reason for it as I have driven one with them done and it's nicer to drive and I found it comfier even cruising around. Plus should look a little nicer and it's an option for my car anyway. But will my tracking need sorting and anything else as well?

Cheers, Benni.

Please don't reply telling me it's not low enough unless it's scraping like some other cretin on another forum.

Physio

It would be wise to get it checked just incase dude

Benni

Cheers mate.

dojj

iTrader: (3)

you'll need to get it sorted mate

the more you lower the car the more the steering arms will move out/in and so you will either have the wheels out or in

you might have hit that sweet spot where it's gone in and out for exactly the same ammount but i doubt that

Benni

Cheers dojj

Mike Rainbird

iTrader: (3)

Lowering any car that much without the correct suspension mods is likely to make it handle and ride very badly, as well as making the dampers work harder to the extent that they will die very quickly .

Benni

It's only 35mm and is a ford option so I don't understand why? Now I'm confused.

dojj

iTrader: (3)

but he says in the op that he's driven a car with them fitted and they were great

i'm sure you'll be able to sort him out with some new fangled, specially designed, aerospace engineered, all singing, all dancing suspension for a whole 25p or soemthing

dojj

iTrader: (3)

you need matched dampers to go with the drop in ride hieght

Benni

The last thing I want to do is cause damage to other suspension components. Ok then so what else do I need aswel as the springs to the job correctly?

Cheers, Benni.

Benni

A lad I know with a mondeo only has the springs and the focus I drove only had the springs aswel. Either way I will now save up until I can afford the dampers aswel. If I'm going to do it I want to do it right.

The mondeo suspesion kept making a smacking noise on pot holes etc, Maybe this was why. Glad I posted this now.

Cheers, Benni.

dojj

iTrader: (3)

i think mike knows just a litle bit more about suspension than i do, so i think he'll be able to sort out what you would need to be looking at for a proper drop set up

what car is it btw? focus yes?

St3V3_C

Not to mention wearing the tyres in a matter of weeks...



What?

Any change in ride height will want the tracking adjusted.

Benni

Yes a ford focus but it has to be the Eibach optional suspension. Being motability I can only add things to my car that where an option when I bought it. So when you buy it from fords and tick the suspension option they change all the dampers etc? It HAS to be done correctly for servicing etc.

Mike Rainbird

iTrader: (3)

Benni,
You can fit the springs, but if the car has already done high mileage, you may find that the dampers will need replacing within 10,000 more miles (or even less). It's not a Ford thing, it's any car - shorter springs make the dampers work harder, wearing them out quicker.

We fitted the Pro-drive lowering springs to our Scooby at 50,000 miles and at 60,000 miles one of the rear dampers started to leak as a result of being already quite old and then being asked to work harder due to the springs being shorter. We just replaced the dampers all round when this happened.

I'm just pointing out the pit-falls of lowering, especially by such a large amount . Don't NOT do it, just keep an eye on the dampers and be aware that they will also need doing pretty soon after . The geometry WILL require adjusting to suit as well with the new ride height .

Benni

Mike Rainbird Thanks alot mate, Car has done 25,000 miles and is just over a year old.



Which I appreciate alot as I want to do it correctly.

Cheers, Benni.

Mike Rainbird

iTrader: (3)

At that mileage you would probably get away with 20-30,000 miles before the dampers where shot .

Benni

Thanks Mike, someone also mentioned tires wearing down very quickly with what I'm doing is this correct mate?


Cheers, Benni.

Mike Rainbird

iTrader: (3)

ONLY if the geometry was not put back to what it should be. The problem is that most people slam the cars and leave it at that, so the geometry is screwed up and the tyres wear terribly. It is obviously an issue with cars like a Cossie (especially the rear) where you have limited or non-extistant ability to change the geometry. Modern cars like Scoobies etc - everything is adjustable. I'm not familiar with the lay-out of the Focus, but it has very good handling from the factory, so I would imagine it must be pretty adjustable. Best to check with a 4-wheel alignment place or another Focus owner .

Benni

Thanks mate.