Modify lower control arms?
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 955
Likes: 50
From: Jersey Shore
Modify lower control arms?
I took a closer look at my suspension today and realized that after it settled from lowering, it is close to riding on the bump stops. The shocks are also very close to bottoming out. Has anyone ever modified their lower control arms to lower the shock mount? This would give me more shock travel, then I could shave my bumpstops and get more suspension travel.
I would like to keep my current bilsteins, and not buy custom shorter body shocks. Also, I have the mono spring front suspension, so I dont have to worry about the spring pocket.
Any other tips for increasing shock travel? I was thinking of shaving the upper shock bushings (gain about .25" of travel)
Raising the car is not an option
I would like to keep my current bilsteins, and not buy custom shorter body shocks. Also, I have the mono spring front suspension, so I dont have to worry about the spring pocket.
Any other tips for increasing shock travel? I was thinking of shaving the upper shock bushings (gain about .25" of travel)
Raising the car is not an option
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 955
Likes: 50
From: Jersey Shore
Your car is pretty low too... do you know the collapsed length of your QA1's? (you have the semi coilovers, right?). I believe my bilsteins are 11"
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 21,953
Likes: 1,445
From: Reno Nevada
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
No idea on the collaps length. They mount on top of the AA and can lower up to 3 inches. I like the adjustability, here was my first kit before I bought shorter springs 600#.
http://qa1.thomasnet.com/item/rsport...=prod&filter=0
http://qa1.thomasnet.com/item/rsport...=prod&filter=0
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 2,116
Likes: 156
From: Mid West
Cruise-In III Veteran
I installed studs along with machined spacers out of tool steel to lower the shock on the a-arm and regain some travel. Here's a pretty poor picture, I'll see if I can find a better one.
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 21,953
Likes: 1,445
From: Reno Nevada
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
Jason, I would say from that picture that you have way to much neg camber
my setup has very even ware and tire temp with neg. .62 degrees
I also found that knock off road racing slicks are cheaper to run than street tires.
my setup has very even ware and tire temp with neg. .62 degrees
I also found that knock off road racing slicks are cheaper to run than street tires.
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 21,953
Likes: 1,445
From: Reno Nevada
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
Many years ago before I got a little smarter I damaged a front KYB gas adjust when it bottomed out hard with my VB&P 550# springs.
I just went out and bought shorter front shocks.
When I got smarter I went to the Qa-1 dual adjust
I just went out and bought shorter front shocks.
When I got smarter I went to the Qa-1 dual adjust
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Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 955
Likes: 50
From: Jersey Shore
Just a little update... I pulled my suspension apart, and measured the shocks (Bilsteins). They are 9" collapsed- meaning 9" from the mounting ears to the top of the body where the bushing would bottom out on.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 2,116
Likes: 156
From: Mid West
Cruise-In III Veteran
. I've adjusted the suspension since then, .... live and learn.Have you ever tried Hoosier's vintage racing tires. Was debating on trying them since I already have a set of 15 inch wheels. I have my doubts about them since they are bias ply tires compared to my normal radials I been using.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 753
Likes: 0
Jason
about tread wear and camber... what size rims and how much camber with the set up in the picture?
i use Avon 245/60/15 and i have 1.5 deg camber on left side and 2 deg on right side. need to bring them equal soon and just thinking on what to do... 1.5 or 2. don't have a pyrometer yet ...but i think my car will like as much neg camber as possible to keep as much rubber on the ground during cornering
with my usual short rides , no uneven tires wear till now
about tread wear and camber... what size rims and how much camber with the set up in the picture?
i use Avon 245/60/15 and i have 1.5 deg camber on left side and 2 deg on right side. need to bring them equal soon and just thinking on what to do... 1.5 or 2. don't have a pyrometer yet ...but i think my car will like as much neg camber as possible to keep as much rubber on the ground during cornering
with my usual short rides , no uneven tires wear till now
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 21,953
Likes: 1,445
From: Reno Nevada
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
Street tires just go away so fast. toyo does make some treaded race tires in 15 inch.
