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Re: Fitting lowered springs

Posted: Fri Aug 28, 2009 6:08 pm
by TheFinn
onlyme wrote:what does the x8 stand for my friend?


Sorry to butt in like this, but the 'x8' stands for the width of the rim in inches.

BTW Brian, the car looks brilliant! :cool: Done with good taste!

Mine's on coilovers turned to -55mm, yours looks practically equally low despite the 45mm nominal drop.

Re: Fitting lowered springs

Posted: Fri Aug 28, 2009 7:36 pm
by onlyme
right so i will be looking for
18"x8
what about tyre size? is there anything i need to know here?
i will be buying a set of alloys with budget tyres included. i dont drive fast so im not in the game for good rubber at the mo.

hmmm i wonder were is best for alloys at the mo :(

Re: Fitting lowered springs

Posted: Fri Aug 28, 2009 9:33 pm
by Brian Griffin
Im a tight git :-P so budget tyres for me too...theyre Nangkang NS2 , i got the package on ebay, been a year now so i havent been looking at wheels..take your time and choose wisely my friend...nothing worse than picking the wrong wheels.. :cool:

Re: Fitting lowered springs

Posted: Fri Aug 28, 2009 11:59 pm
by onlyme
you fitted the springs your self then mate? any words of wisdom for me?

any problems since doing it?

thank you for your help mate i really do apreciate it

Re: Fitting lowered springs

Posted: Sat Aug 29, 2009 8:47 am
by Brian Griffin
Springs wer'nt a problem as far as i remember ,though i've just done the timingbelt ,w/pump and head gasket, so i dont get put off easily.. :D , just get yourself a set of compressors and get stuck in..if i had the money i'd change the shocks too... :?

Re: Fitting lowered springs

Posted: Sat Aug 29, 2009 12:10 pm
by onlyme
compressors?

Re: Fitting lowered springs

Posted: Sat Aug 29, 2009 12:43 pm
by Brian Griffin
Spring compressors............you'll need them for the front..maybe borrow/rent a set..

Re: Fitting lowered springs

Posted: Sat Aug 29, 2009 2:24 pm
by davelowe
According to haynes:

jack up car remove front wheel
unclip brake hose and abs wiring from strut assembly
unscrew the upper nut from the anti-roll bar drop link, using an allen key if necessary to prevent the balljoint stud turning
at the top of the swivel hub, apply wd40 to the joint between the hub and the base of the strut
unscrew and remove the pinch-bolt from the base of the strut, noting which was round it is fitted and that it may also be used to secure the brake hose mounting bracket
use a hammer to tap the hub downwards to separate it from the strut. pull the lower arm downwards as far as possible and pull strut to one side
make sure the driveshaft doesn't come out of the transmission
remove plastic under bonnet and and remove 3 mounting bolts - remove strut from underneath DO NOT LOOSEN THE BIG CENTRE NUT at the top

fit spring compressor (spring is under very high tension - if you just undo the centre nut you will lose an arm)
when the compressor has taken all the spring load, slacken and remove the 18mm centre nut. use 6mm allen key to prevent the rod from turning
remove the loose top plate bearing and spring seat.
remove spring.
release tension
tension up new spring
put it all back

Similar procedure at the rear assembly.

Hope that helps

Re: Fitting lowered springs

Posted: Sat Aug 29, 2009 10:51 pm
by onlyme
its a friend that is doing it for me who has done 4 other cars before so hopefully he is wise to the do's and dont's so thank you for the list my friend!

i need to pick up a haynes!

anyone had any nightmares with lowering 45mm?

Re: Fitting lowered springs

Posted: Sun Aug 30, 2009 2:26 pm
by TheFinn
onlyme wrote:what about tyre size? is there anything i need to know here?


225/40R18 is all you need to know. :D

Re: Fitting lowered springs

Posted: Sun Aug 30, 2009 4:49 pm
by onlyme
whats all that stand for bro?

Re: Fitting lowered springs

Posted: Mon Aug 31, 2009 4:17 pm
by TheFinn
onlyme wrote:whats all that stand for bro?


225 = tread width in millimeters
40 = sidewall height in percents in relation to the tread width (0.4x225mm=90mm)
R = radial tyre (as opposed to ancient crossply tyres)
18 = rim diameter in inches