stinkwheel
Posted a lot
Doctor Of Gonzo Journalism - One of gods own proptypes, never even considered for mass production.
Posts: 2,280
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OK so I know that hitting your latest ride with the stick is where its at looks wise but.....
My ride has normal mcphersons upfront and leafs at the back.
I'm assuming that the leafs will be easy enough with just a block and clamp method, but the fronts, is it as simple as just cutting the springs? I could use some proper info.
Does the ride actually get firmer ? Id like it to look good but this vehicle is bit bouncy and harsh at the best of times.
All advice welcome.
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1973 Citroen Dyane 6 1980 Citroen Acadiane
1992 Citroen AX 1990 Citroen BX
1997 Citroen XM 1993 Citroen BX
1997 Citroen Xantia 1977 Citroen Ami 8
1996 Ford Escort 1989 Citroen BX
1997 Suzuki RF900 1988 Yamaha TDR250
1979 Honda CB400.
'I need less vehicles'
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First off, a slight disclaimer as there are people on here with a lot more technical knowledge than I...
It depends what kind of springs you have on the front - if they're pig-tailed or progressive springs it's not really advisable to chop 'em, or at least in the case of pig-tailed springs you'll need to get them re-shaped so they seat properly. If you have a few tightly spaced "dead" coils at the bottom of the spring that's ideal as you can chop a couple of them out without much fear.
Shortening the spring stiffens the ride, and the one beef some people have with cut springs is that you stiffen the spring by an unknown amount.
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What motor is it? if its that maestro van good on ya ;D
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stinkwheel
Posted a lot
Doctor Of Gonzo Journalism - One of gods own proptypes, never even considered for mass production.
Posts: 2,280
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Yes, its the van  |
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1973 Citroen Dyane 6 1980 Citroen Acadiane
1992 Citroen AX 1990 Citroen BX
1997 Citroen XM 1993 Citroen BX
1997 Citroen Xantia 1977 Citroen Ami 8
1996 Ford Escort 1989 Citroen BX
1997 Suzuki RF900 1988 Yamaha TDR250
1979 Honda CB400.
'I need less vehicles'
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Blocks at the back and either shorter or cut coils at the front.
I had cut coils on my 100E for ages. It was harder but ok. Worth checking if the spring diameter is the same as something like an Escort or Capri because coils are available in all lengths and weights off the shelf.
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any advice for sticking the dolly?
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when I cut the springs on the carlton front end I upgraded them to monza spec cos I coulnt find lowered uprated,s for a 20 odd year old family estate car . and to my mind they really made a great improvement on the handling front.
it might be an idea to change your front springs to turbo spec ones, id imagine theyll be about 60mm lower than the van ones anyway. do the strut inserts while your on.
also your van will be bouncy because its designed to run with the back stuffed with goods!
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"quote hairnet"
I'm not paying nine pound for a pi$$!
[/quote]
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stinkwheel
Posted a lot
Doctor Of Gonzo Journalism - One of gods own proptypes, never even considered for mass production.
Posts: 2,280
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Thanks folks, something to think about, The one about turbo struts is a plan, I wonder if the standard 2.0 efi struts are lower? there is one of those in my local scrappie.
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1973 Citroen Dyane 6 1980 Citroen Acadiane
1992 Citroen AX 1990 Citroen BX
1997 Citroen XM 1993 Citroen BX
1997 Citroen Xantia 1977 Citroen Ami 8
1996 Ford Escort 1989 Citroen BX
1997 Suzuki RF900 1988 Yamaha TDR250
1979 Honda CB400.
'I need less vehicles'
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ratty
Part of things
Posts: 257
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Last Edit: Feb 8, 2007 18:48:54 GMT by ratty
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I fitted lowering springs to the front of our 1303, cutting down only reduces the height, doesn't stiffen them up, mine cost about £50 to get and fit ;D
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it might be worth getting the efi struts just in case u end up chopping the original one mate, always good to have a spare set knocking about, doubt ull get charged much for em
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Colonelk
Posted a lot
Posts: 3,742
Club RR Member Number: 83
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cutting them does make them slightly stiffer apparently, but not much in proportion to how much you chop.
If chopping always try and chop uprated IMHO, and pair it with some new dampers at the very least!
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I chopped x* amount of coils out of my benz springs to lower it 5 inches, hasnt made it any more boat like than it already was. * cant remember how many now.id have to compare them to the full height set I have. |
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street
Posted a lot
6.2 ft/lbs of talk
Posts: 4,662
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Thanks folks, something to think about, The one about turbo struts is a plan, I wonder if the standard 2.0 efi struts are lower? there is one of those in my local scrappie. There are 2 different length struts fitted to the Maestro I believe- 254mm are the shorter ones and are fitted to the EFi's. Not sure about the ones on your van but i'd imagine they are the longer type, so it might be worth nabbing the scrapyard ones  |
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Snoozin
Posted a lot
Toyophile
Posts: 1,557
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The only issue I have with chopped springs is if they fail to be captive, once cut.
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paul4be
Part of things
'86 Capri Laser, Frontera 4x4
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nabbing those efi struts will also give you much improved brakes too, result. ;D although you may need to go up a wheel size, however montego steels look offiacially mint on meastros |
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"quote hairnet"
I'm not paying nine pound for a pi$$!
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Dunno if this applies to Maestro vans, but from memory lowering Escort vans fools the load compensator valve into acting as if there's a load on board and increasing line pressure to the back brakes......not ideal on a Maestro which are light on the back end anyway.
Worth a check to be sure.
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Seth
South East
MorrisOxford TriumphMirald HillmanMinx BorgwardIsabellaCombi
Posts: 15,542
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Shortening the spring stiffens the ride, and the one beef some people have with cut springs is that you stiffen the spring by an unknown amount. I won't add anything new as its all been said already except that you can calculate what the new rate of some chopped springs will be. |
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Follow your dreams or you might as well be a vegetable. |
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Mr K
Posted a lot
Posts: 2,993
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any advice for sticking the dolly? An MOT is always useful................ ho ho ho And on a serious note, the kitten bump steers abit with a 4-6" drop up front, but aparently moving the rack up 6mm will fix that! |
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Last Edit: Feb 8, 2007 20:54:45 GMT by Mr K
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