lowering questions
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Joined: Mar 2012
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From: San Antonio TX
lowering questions
I tried lowering my car yesterday on the stock bolts, but didn't get quite the results I was expecting.
First issue, when doing the fronts, I was able to get a ratchet on the drivers side 10mm bolt, but not on the passenger side. The passenger side didn't have enough clearance between the bolt head and the shock. I had to use a box end wrench... is it possible for the leaf spring to be off center or something of that sort? I would figure both sides should be the same.
Next, I didn't seem to get much of a result in terms of lowering. When I measured after a short drive, it seemed like I had between a quarter and a half inch drop all around. I was figuring on/going for about an inch drop all the way around. Any input?
Thanks,
Jason
First issue, when doing the fronts, I was able to get a ratchet on the drivers side 10mm bolt, but not on the passenger side. The passenger side didn't have enough clearance between the bolt head and the shock. I had to use a box end wrench... is it possible for the leaf spring to be off center or something of that sort? I would figure both sides should be the same.
Next, I didn't seem to get much of a result in terms of lowering. When I measured after a short drive, it seemed like I had between a quarter and a half inch drop all around. I was figuring on/going for about an inch drop all the way around. Any input?
Thanks,
Jason
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2011
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From: Prescott Arizona
When I did mine it seemed to take a week of driving to get it to settle to the final height.
I was the same as you. Did not seem to make that big a difference after just a short drive.
I was the same as you. Did not seem to make that big a difference after just a short drive.
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Joined: Dec 2009
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It may take a little more than a quick drive for the car to settle at the final ride height with the leaf springs. Drive the car a little more and then be sure to take the car in for an alignment.
Also keep in mind that the lower you drop the car with the factory leaf springs the more suspension travel you're tuning out, and the more likely you are to be bouncing off the bumpstops. When lowering the car with the factory leafs we tend to recommend that a little is good, a lot can be bad. If your ride quality begins to degrade as the ride height gets lower it may be time to either raise the car just a bit, or move to coilovers.
Also keep in mind that the lower you drop the car with the factory leaf springs the more suspension travel you're tuning out, and the more likely you are to be bouncing off the bumpstops. When lowering the car with the factory leafs we tend to recommend that a little is good, a lot can be bad. If your ride quality begins to degrade as the ride height gets lower it may be time to either raise the car just a bit, or move to coilovers.
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Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 56
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From: San Antonio TX
Thanks for that info. I'll be putting some more miles on the car soon, hopefully it will settle well and I can make any adjustments needed to make it even.
I'm planning on autoxing and eventually tracking the car, so I don't want to slam it. Eventually I'd love to get a set of coilovers but I will have to save up some before that happens.
Any input on why the two front sides didn't seem to be the same?
I'm planning on autoxing and eventually tracking the car, so I don't want to slam it. Eventually I'd love to get a set of coilovers but I will have to save up some before that happens.
Any input on why the two front sides didn't seem to be the same?
