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Model specific boards => Golf mk2 => Topic started by: rowlers on 26 February 2006, 16:32

Title: now with piccy---- have I gone too low??? now with piccy
Post by: rowlers on 26 February 2006, 16:32
Just fitted suspension kit (40mm drop) but it looks like it has droped it 40mm from a std. valver height and not a carb model, it is now sitting at 280mm from the centre of wheel to the arch, is this too low - it looks it!

looks like I can get full lock both ways with no rubbing, but what about with passengers in?
is this an OK hieght to be running should I be worried about any other suspension components being put under too much strain???


I'm running 15*6.5 ET33 wheels at the mo, but will be running 15*7 ET28 if I can!!

Please reassure me!!! :undecided: :undecided: :undecided:
Title: Re: have I gone too low???
Post by: golfpro on 26 February 2006, 16:34
sounds cool mate! stick with it, thats how they look best!
Title: Re: have I gone too low???
Post by: rowlers on 26 February 2006, 16:38
it does look good, I'll get a piccie up as soon as I get the new rear strut mount - the old one had disintegrated! see other post!!!

cheers
Title: Re: have I gone too low???
Post by: shaft69 on 26 February 2006, 16:49
Im running front -70mm/rear -60mm with 7jx15" et24 with 195/45's ok no arch mods required.
Title: Re: HELP ---- have I gone too low??? Yes I have!!!!
Post by: rowlers on 27 February 2006, 14:53
well I have had to take the whole lot back, didn;t even get to the end of the raod before iut all started scraping!!!

p|ssed does come close!!!!

It looks like I've beed sent a kit that lowers a valver by 40mm, so you can imgine how low it was, (280mm hub to arch)

Now what do I do?? do I keep the socks and pair with springs that don't lower as much or are the shocks the bit bit that do the lowering???

I'm so effed off you won't believe, so please help me sort this mess out!
Title: Re: HELP ---- have I gone too low??? Yes I have!!!!
Post by: rubjonny on 27 February 2006, 15:09
Its the springs that do the lowering, so a slightly less aggressive set will be ok :)
Title: Re: HELP ---- have I gone too low??? Yes I have!!!!
Post by: rowlers on 27 February 2006, 17:12
does any one want a set of unused lowering springs??? -40mm on a valver???

I'll have to wait til I get a bit more cash now, then I'll sorce some less low lowering springs!!!

Barsteward!
Title: Re: HELP ---- have I gone too low??? Yes I have!!!!
Post by: BobbyT on 27 February 2006, 17:17
are the shocks matched to the springs? if they are they will have less travel i think, not too sure what that would mean if you get less lowered springs?? may f**k the ride up! cant you bung the lot on ebay?
Title: Re: HELP ---- have I gone too low??? Yes I have!!!!
Post by: FBF on 27 February 2006, 17:28
if it were me id return the lot.  no point paying all that money and having the wrong shocks.  the last thing you want is for the shocks to carry the weight of the car.  theres no advantage other than if you want to keep replacing thes shocks.
Title: Re: HELP ---- have I gone too low??? Yes I have!!!!
Post by: ...joe on 27 February 2006, 19:12
hmm i find this all a bit strange.... mines lowered 110mm and i only get scrubbing on my wide BBS which have an ofset of et38 and 8x15 with people in the car. its fine on its own. my azevs are et25 and 7x15 and they rub a bit worse because of the lower offset.

280mm would be a -50mm spring set i think which isn't alot. i'm surprised you notice it unless my coilovers are noticably stiffer?
Title: Re: HELP ---- have I gone too low??? Yes I have!!!!
Post by: rowlers on 27 February 2006, 19:28
these are what I bought:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=8038036312&ssPageName=STRK:MEWN:IT

and to honest the quality is pretty good, the welding etc.. is first rate.

as soon as I fitted the front I knew right away they were too low. The back I could have got away with - I think, but the front know way! The tire was right up inside the arch, the bottom wishbone was pulled up, so it was pointing upward, it didn't look right. I might just stick it all on eebat and hope for the best - I think my brief foray into lowering has ended in defeat. I'll stick with the std setup me thinks!
Title: Re: HELP ---- have I gone too low??? Yes I have!!!!
Post by: ...joe on 27 February 2006, 21:57
hmm sounds low! mind you, you can hardly see the tops of my tyres and you'res sounds as low. i'd try to flog them on and get a set of bilstein/ventura from german and swedish which have a 40mm drop. i've had a set a few years back along with a few others on here and they are really good. not too low! cost £200 so not much more than the ones you bought but they can be trusted to be a decent ride height.
Title: Re: HELP ---- have I gone too low??? Yes I have!!!!
Post by: FBF on 28 February 2006, 00:11
make sure you leave nutral feedback if only to save someone else making the same costly mistake.  these sellers know that once you've bought the item its too expensive to send them back anyway.  id want a part refund at least
Title: Re: HELP ---- have I gone too low??? Yes I have!!!!
Post by: Agreeable Slick on 28 February 2006, 02:01
Wishbones pointing up is usually a sign that a car is too low, unless you have very VERY stiff springs then it can end up in disaster as they have no vertical travel into the arch meaning bumps and things can end up in the wishbone sheering from strain.

Best bet would be to send them back and order something more reccommended. Joe is a good person to talk to about this, as his seems to sit really well for how low it is, especially after i saw his motor at bugjam.  :cool:
Title: Re: HELP ---- have I gone too low??? Yes I have!!!!
Post by: stan_deezy on 28 February 2006, 08:05
Hey Rowlers I read the sorry tale and looked at the ebay listing too.............real shame after all that work to discover it was wrong, I feel for ya.

Now I might be way outta whack here but in the listing it says you get a choice of two sets: one is a straight 40mm/40mm drop (front and rear) and the other is 60mm/40mm with a 60mm drop at the front.

So when you say that the front looked bad but the rear was alright are you sure they sent you the right kit? Even if the box was marked as a 40mm/40mm it might have been packaged wrong?

Just a thought.

Ps. I recognised that top plate photo immediately: my 88 8v looked identical when I did the rears recently.
Title: Re: HELP ---- have I gone too low??? Yes I have!!!!
Post by: Si on 28 February 2006, 14:31
Hmm, does sound low! Mines lowered 80mm and the front lip spoiler catches on speed bumps, etc occasionally but mine sits on 15's with 195/50/15 tyres, the arches are just a bit lower than tops of tyres and they dont scrub. I can fit 5 people in my car and it still doesnt scrub the arches.  :smiley:
Title: Re: HELP ---- have I gone too low??? Yes I have!!!!
Post by: rowlers on 28 February 2006, 21:04
there would ahve bee no way I'd get over any speed bumps! I'd bet the front lip spoiler would have been about 3'' off the floor - no joke! I've emailed the guy see what he says, you never no he night offer to send some less drastic springs in exchange for the ones I have! If not I'll tell him what I think, and hope to sell them on, make sure you guys don't bid on them unless you want some serious arch work!

Si I'm running the same size wheels so it must be lower than an 80mm drop! (So clarify for me si, yours is dropped 80mm - is this from the 330mm valver height or the 360 carb modle height? What is the current ride height - just so I know how low mine really was!- cheers)

thanks for all you input folks!!!
Title: Re: HELP ---- have I gone too low??? Yes I have!!!!
Post by: Si on 01 March 2006, 10:12
They are 60mm 'Driver' springs for a carbed model but ive since modified the top mounts to make them 20mm lower on front.
I was under impression that 16v springs were shorter than carb springs, so if theory 60mm lowering springs for a 16v put onto a carb car would only lower the car 40-45mm depending how much lower 16v are to carb models? does that make sense?  :undecided:

Just been outside and measured my car,
the front spoiler is 3" off floor
the lowest point of front arch is approx 21" from floor
the lowest point of rear arch is 21.5" from floor
the Sideskirts are 4.5" from floor.

All this is measured with measuring tape but not 100% cause although floor looks level it prob isnt.
Title: Re: HELP ---- have I gone too low??? Yes I have!!!!
Post by: Organisys on 01 March 2006, 12:19
Upwards wishbones not good, but the scrubbing must be due to wheel offset. Is this with the 15*6.5 ET33 wheels ?
Where exactly is the rubbing?

I am thinking the kit is just plain wrong, either they sent the wrong one, or a manufacurer's mix up. ?
Title: Re: HELP ---- have I gone too low??? Yes I have!!!!
Post by: Chaswin74 on 01 March 2006, 12:33
Well mate personally I think it all down to how it feels when your driving, if it's feeling good and you've still got your teeth after a blast down a country road then you should be fine.

Mine is sitting low low and apart from the odd pot hole and speed bump things are good. I was going to raise it up but after the slagging I got from some of my fellow dubbers and after driving her for the last couple of weeks I'm coming round to it.

C



Title: Re: HELP ---- have I gone too low??? Yes I have!!!!
Post by: rowlers on 01 March 2006, 18:42
it was basically undrivable, scrubbing on the outside or the arch - scuff marks to prove!
15*6.5 et33 BBS RMs!

eff knows what I've got, they look right, but obviously not!
They guy is looking into so I'll let you know the outcome!
Title: Re: HELP ---- have I gone too low??? Yes I have!!!!
Post by: Organisys on 01 March 2006, 21:49
Yeah, it's defo' not a problem with the wheels then...
Title: Re: HELP ---- have I gone too low??? Yes I have!!!!
Post by: rowlers on 02 March 2006, 17:57
just had word back from the guy I bought the kit off, he sent out some new 20mm lowering springs for me!! Can't really argue with that, will let you know how I get on this time.

I'll make sure the front is OK first before going onto the back!!!
Title: Re: Updated HELP ---- have I gone too low??? Yes I have!!!! Updated
Post by: rowlers on 17 March 2006, 17:41
just an update on my suspension woes!

Got the new springs through and fitted the front this, morning we now have success! lowered approx 20mm, tires just sitting nicely under the arch!

Got the camber and tracking done both were out, and woe what a difference!!!

G60 top mounts as well. will get pic up soon!
Title: Re: Updated HELP ---- have I gone too low??? Yes I have!!!! Updated
Post by: Organisys on 17 March 2006, 18:58
Sweet dude, well done.
Title: Re: Updated HELP ---- have I gone too low??? Yes I have!!!! Updated
Post by: stan_deezy on 18 March 2006, 07:57
Good job Rowlers glad you got it sorted in the end (this thread is useless with pictures  :grin: )

So would you recommend the seller then? Did he charge you for the new springs?

Certainly sounds great: now all you have to do is the rear ones  :grin:
Title: Re: Updated HELP ---- have I gone too low??? Yes I have!!!! Updated
Post by: rowlers on 19 March 2006, 21:04
rear ones tomorrow, no charge for the new springs, hasn't even asked for the old ones back yet!  Deffo reccommend the guy - hes been more than happy to help me sort it out!!!

I've got an unusual look now of a golf with the back end sticking up as opposed to the usual back end sagging!

I just hope I clear the speed bumps on way to work!

cheers for all the advise fellas, and piccies will be posted tomorrow.

PS will my 15*7 et 28 ATS CUu still fit??? they best had after the hours Ive spent polishing! :grin: :grin: :grin:
Title: Re: Updated HELP ---- have I gone too low??now with piccy
Post by: rowlers on 20 March 2006, 20:04
(http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b253/rowlers/CIMG0302.jpg)
Title: Re: now with piccy---- have I gone too low??? now with piccy
Post by: ...joe on 20 March 2006, 22:32
^^^ genius photo, take one in daytime!! ha ha :laugh:
Title: Re: now with piccy---- have I gone too low??? now with piccy
Post by: Agreeable Slick on 20 March 2006, 22:37
I'm fighting the urge to delete this thread for "most stupid time to take a photo" award....  :lipsrsealed: :evil: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:
Title: Re: now with piccy---- have I gone too low??? now with piccy
Post by: monzablue16v on 20 March 2006, 23:00
 :rolleyes: :drool: :laugh: :grin: :shocked: :shocked: :rolleyes: :lipsrsealed: :laugh: :kiss: :huh: :grin:
Title: Re: now with piccy---- have I gone too low??? now with piccy
Post by: Organisys on 21 March 2006, 12:46
Is that a golf then in the pic ?  :grin:  :grin:   :grin:
Title: Re: now with piccy---- have I gone too low??? now with piccy
Post by: stan_deezy on 21 March 2006, 12:50
It's either the new Stealth model or it's just camera shy  :grin: :laugh:
Title: Re: now with piccy---- have I gone too low??? now with piccy
Post by: rowlers on 21 March 2006, 17:07
yeh OK get the Picture - get it!!!!

Will work on a better one - like how about this:
(http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b253/rowlers/CIMG0305.jpg)

Title: Re: now with piccy---- have I gone too low??? now with piccy
Post by: JMallows on 21 March 2006, 17:37
Looking at the picture, it becomes clear that you really ought to get the trim "bumper blacked"!!

Also, looks nice at that height ;)
Title: Re: now with piccy---- have I gone too low??? now with piccy
Post by: rowlers on 21 March 2006, 17:54
yet another thig on the agenda, I believe Kiwi scuff cover is good! :grin: :grin:
Title: Re: now with piccy---- have I gone too low??? now with piccy
Post by: Si on 21 March 2006, 18:01
No where near as low as i expected it to be?!  :huh:  How much is it lowered by again? 120mm did you say sumwhere? (i cant be bothered to read through thread again!)  :embarassed:
Title: Re: now with piccy---- have I gone too low??? now with piccy
Post by: Si on 21 March 2006, 18:02
Ok, just saw why it aint that low.... tis 20mm lower... not 120mm!  :embarassed:  :wink:
Sorry!
Title: Re: now with piccy---- have I gone too low??? now with piccy
Post by: rowlers on 21 March 2006, 19:43
not low???? couldn't possibly go lower with out arch work, and some kind of fancy jacking system to get me over the speed bumps on way to work! :laugh:

it will do for me!
Title: Re: now with piccy---- have I gone too low??? now with piccy
Post by: Organisys on 22 March 2006, 21:15
Looks at least 30/40mm lower than standard valver height to me.
Title: Re: now with piccy---- have I gone too low??? now with piccy
Post by: rowlers on 22 March 2006, 21:32
hub to arch is about 300mm so it is lowered as you correctly guessed approx 30mm :wink:

I just need to get the elbow grease moving a bit on my cups, the 60 profiile tires on the 14''s don't do it justice!
Title: Re: now with piccy---- have I gone too low??? now with piccy
Post by: Organisys on 23 March 2006, 13:31
Well done fella. go for 45 profile on the Cups !
Title: Re: now with piccy---- have I gone too low??? now with piccy
Post by: rowlers on 23 March 2006, 16:25
why 45s? purely for the look, or will 50's not fit??

cheers
Title: Re: now with piccy---- have I gone too low??? now with piccy
Post by: Organisys on 23 March 2006, 21:04
For the look, plus a tiny bit better steering feel and slightly more lowering !
Title: Re: now with piccy---- have I gone too low??? now with piccy
Post by: Raceboy on 25 March 2006, 00:45
Where is this pic you speak of? :huh:
Title: Re: now with piccy---- have I gone too low??? now with piccy
Post by: rowlers on 25 March 2006, 09:18
4th page 1/2 way down!

or here!!!
(http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b253/rowlers/CIMG0305.jpg)
Title: Re: now with piccy---- have I gone too low??? now with piccy
Post by: Raceboy on 28 March 2006, 17:56
Nah it's not too low bro, i wish my digi cam didn't break or i'd post some pic's of my GTI
cuz mine's tuckin' the 14'' rims, thats how we roll in Cali :grin:

i think your car looks good that low.
Title: Re: now with piccy---- have I gone too low??? now with piccy
Post by: rowlers on 28 March 2006, 18:33
Well tahnk you raceboy!

they are 14''s that are on but steering is a bit vague after running 15*6.5s.