#1: Front Suspension - Compression? Author: Triggerfish, Posted: Wed Sep 03, 2014 8:15 am ---- When you install new shocks and springs, do you need to "compress" the springs after installation?
My front suspension appears to be on the high side. The gap between the tyre and wheel arch appears wider in the front than the rears.
If it cannot be compressed, then I must have been advised the wrong springs.
Only the front shocks and springs have been renewed. The rear ones are existing.
Anyone got any advice?
#2: Re: Front Suspension - Compression? Author: Seabook, Posted: Wed Sep 03, 2014 10:39 am ---- So both your shocks and spring are new?
where did you get them from?
#3: Re: Front Suspension - Compression? Author: badj, Location: WiltshirePosted: Wed Sep 03, 2014 2:40 pm ---- I've found that you normally need to let them settle.
Additionally, did you leave the shocks off the car for a day or more?
I've found that you normally need to let them settle.
Additionally, did you leave the shocks off the car for a day or more?
Well that's what I thought, let them settle but they don't really come down.
Do you mean the built up shock and springs with top and bottom mounts as a complete built unit.....left for one day or more before mounting into the car.....then, yes. Max 2 day, no more.
#6: Re: Front Suspension - Compression? Author: Seabook, Posted: Thu Sep 04, 2014 6:30 am ---- They might have supply you the wrong spring. Did you have the parts number from ECP?
You should not see much settlement for the suspension.
And are you sure you don't have several tones of bricks in the boot?
#7: Re: Front Suspension - Compression? Author: Triggerfish, Posted: Thu Sep 04, 2014 12:56 pm ---- Have been in contact with ECP and they confirm it is the right ones for the car.
ECP are looking into it.
No, no bricks, empty at the back.
#8: Re: Front Suspension - Compression? Author: MrBSI, Location: What's it to you? ? ?Posted: Thu Sep 04, 2014 12:58 pm ---- Have you actually measured the gap / ride height to see if its within spec?
#10: Re: Front Suspension - Compression? Author: Triggerfish, Posted: Thu Sep 04, 2014 4:32 pm ---- So according to the guide:
Engine: TU1JP: manual gearbox with power steering.....which is "type 1 vehicle"
Front ride height (H1) should be 123mm.
Rear ride height (H2) should be 123mm.
(The front reference height H1, the rear is H2 and is measured between the road and the respective jacking point.)
Am I reading this correctly?
#11: Re: Front Suspension - Compression? Author: Triggerfish, Posted: Fri Sep 05, 2014 3:45 am ---- Just measured the car:
(H1) Front ride height is 210mm.
(H2) Rear ride height is 210mm.
#12: Re: Front Suspension - Compression? Author: Leegsi, Location: Near PortsmouthPosted: Fri Sep 05, 2014 4:53 am ---- Just measured mine and its the same front and back:
#13: Re: Front Suspension - Compression? Author: macca1411, Location: Westhoughton, LancashirePosted: Fri Sep 05, 2014 7:00 am ----
Triggerfish wrote:
Just measured the car:
(H1) Front ride height is 210mm.
(H2) Rear ride height is 210mm.
It must be like driving a Chelsea tractor. You did measure from the jacking point to the ground?
#14: Re: Front Suspension - Compression? Author: Triggerfish, Posted: Fri Sep 05, 2014 8:11 am ----
macca1411 wrote:
Triggerfish wrote:
Just measured the car:
(H1) Front ride height is 210mm.
(H2) Rear ride height is 210mm.
It must be like driving a Chelsea tractor. You did measure from the jacking point to the ground?
Yes, on a level ground. Directly from jacking point to ground for both front and rear wheels.
It is high isn't it....mmmmm.
#15: Re: Front Suspension - Compression? Author: Triggerfish, Posted: Fri Sep 05, 2014 8:17 am ----
Leegsi wrote:
Just measured mine and its the same front and back
Looks like you too have a wide gap between top of tyre to wheel arch too.
But your tape measure is from wheel arch to centre of wheel. (approx 350mm)
If you zoom out of the picture, so you can see the jacking points. Can you measure the height from the jacking point directly down to the ground?
What do you have?
#16: Re: Front Suspension - Compression? Author: macca1411, Location: Westhoughton, LancashirePosted: Fri Sep 05, 2014 8:21 am ---- Can't understand why the back is so high if only the fronts were changed.
Sounds like the new parts have either been supplied wrong or been assembled and fitted wrong wrong.
If you still have the original packaging, get the part numbers from it and ask the supplier to double check the part numbers. You never know, they might have given you springs for a diesel and the TU1 lump won't be heavy enough to compress them.
I don't suppose you have tried a bounce test on the front. Just open the bonnet and push down on the strut tops to see if you can get the suspension to move any.
One thing we don't know yet is what wheel and tyre size combination do you have?
#17: Re: Front Suspension - Compression? Author: Triggerfish, Posted: Fri Sep 05, 2014 10:37 am ----
macca1411 wrote:
Can't understand why the back is so high if only the fronts were changed.
Had a thought about that too but it sits ok, the gap between tyre and rear wheel arch is perfect/ideal.
I do remember that before the front shocks & spring were changed, the front (H1) were lower than the rears(H2) and the gap between tyre/wheel arch is the same.
Quote::
I don't suppose you have tried a bounce test on the front. Just open the bonnet and push down on the strut tops to see if you can get the suspension to move any.
Tried that already but stays the same.
I have a thought, see what you guys think? I want to detach the ARB drop links (both sides) from the suspension struct and let the car rest on the front wheels so to let the front natural weight rest on the springs to compress it down. Let it rest for a day....or more.....and see what happens.
Quote::
One thing we don't know yet is what wheel and tyre size combination do you have?
Wheels/tyres are 205/40 ZR17 to both front and rears.
#18: Re: Front Suspension - Compression? Author: Triggerfish, Posted: Sun Sep 07, 2014 5:57 am ---- Right, took the ARB drop links out, let the car rest on the shocks and springs, it is still in the same position.
This confirms to me the springs are too big/wrong as the springs are the only element that is holding up the front of the car.
Need to wait from ECP / supplier to see what they say.
#19: Re: Front Suspension - Compression? Author: badj, Location: WiltshirePosted: Sun Sep 07, 2014 4:50 pm ---- Just out of interest, have you considered the possibility that the car will sit like a monster truck on 17's anyway, with standard suspension, if its a 1.1?
#20: Re: Front Suspension - Compression? Author: Leegsi, Location: Near PortsmouthPosted: Sun Sep 07, 2014 4:59 pm ---- Measure from the arch to the centre of the wheel and see what that is.
If your running 17's and standard suspension it will be high.
#21: Re: Front Suspension - Compression? Author: Triggerfish, Posted: Mon Sep 08, 2014 6:32 am ----
badj wrote:
Just out of interest, have you considered the possibility that the car will sit like a monster truck on 17's anyway, with standard suspension, if its a 1.1?
No, no need now, it is reality.
Leegsi wrote:
Measure from the arch to the centre of the wheel and see what that is.
If your running 17's and standard suspension it will be high.
It measures a MASSIVE 405mm!!
So is it fair to say, the car had lowered springs before.
Looks like I need to lower 67mm to equal the rears.
So can I get a 60mm spring reduction on a standard shock?
Just out of interest, have you considered the possibility that the car will sit like a monster truck on 17's anyway, with standard suspension, if its a 1.1?
No, no need now, it is reality.
Leegsi wrote:
Measure from the arch to the centre of the wheel and see what that is.
If your running 17's and standard suspension it will be high.
It measures a MASSIVE 405mm!!
So is it fair to say, the car had lowered springs before.
Looks like I need to lower 67mm to equal the rears.
So can I get a 60mm spring reduction on a standard shock?
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