DIY lowering --(arbs)

old forum · hod rodder Joined: 04 Oct 2001 Posts: 15499

I had my car jacked up today as I was replacing the wheel and I noticed that the spring was only just resting in there.I removed and replaced it again easily so my question is can I buy some lower springs and replace them myself or is there more that has to be done by the pros?

old forum · hod rodder Joined: 04 Oct 2001 Posts: 15499

Trust me when I say that I KNOW you are talking about the rear wheels, and yes it is an absolutely idiot proof job to change the rear springs in a gemini, easier than finding a drink in a pub. Fronts, well, front springs are different, you 'CAN' do it, but well, er, um, no, I saw someone doing it and decided I would pay someone else to do it, it ISN'T worth the trouble to do it yourself.

Springs are available from kings or whiteline from $130 per pair, either stock height but stiffened or lowered.

old forum · hod rodder Joined: 04 Oct 2001 Posts: 15499

Replacing the front springs is not that hard especially if you are fitting lowered springs which are usually shorter in height than standard units. I've fitted lowered/stiffer springs in a couple of Geminis and never had to "compress" them at all to get them in. You will have to swing the lower A-arm a fair way back and there may require a little bit of force and twisting but they should pop in. The other option is to compress the springs with compressors and "tie" wire arround the spring so it will stay compressed and then fit them. Note this method is some what risky as the spring (depending on how far it is compressed) contains a huge amount of potential energy that can be used to propel the spring at a carless and/or unlucky fitter. If you use the wire mehtod make sure when you "tie" the spring up that it will not get caught between the spring seat mount and a bottom/top coil and when the wire is cut the bottom arm is supported by a jack/or stand so the bottom and top seats are compressing the spring slightly. This gets rid of the problem of the arms being suddenly loaded up and damaging something or somebody.

old forum · hod rodder Joined: 04 Oct 2001 Posts: 15499

does anything have to be done to the shockers

old forum · hod rodder Joined: 04 Oct 2001 Posts: 15499

If you are fitting lowered springs then the shock travel should theroteically be shortened to match. Less suspension travel. If I were fitting new springs I'd look at replacing the shocks as well especially if they have done a few KM's. As for recommendations on shocks it comes down to how much you have got to spend.

old forum · hod rodder Joined: 04 Oct 2001 Posts: 15499

As far as shocks go, this is how I look at it, stockos are crap and mine (and I bet yours too) were shot.

So I see two options monroe GT gas shocks at $80 per pair, so $160 all up for front and rear.

Or Konis for more money than I ever have in my possession, I eventually will fit konies but not this year.

old forum · hod rodder Joined: 04 Oct 2001 Posts: 15499

I spent half a day fitting front heavy duty springs to my TE and I wouldn't do it again.
I paid $145 for a pair of KYB shockies and they are super-stiff.

old forum · hod rodder Joined: 04 Oct 2001 Posts: 15499

Super stiff hey, thats exactly what I'm looking for. Where did ya get em?

old forum · hod rodder Joined: 04 Oct 2001 Posts: 15499

If your looking for KYB's it may be worth checking out the following site: www.gsad.com.au. There a suspension wholesaler in QLD that sell direct to the public. Contact them they may be able to a deal over the net.

old forum · hod rodder Joined: 04 Oct 2001 Posts: 15499

GSA wholesale suspension are a good mob, they (through falken tyres) will be sponsoring the QLD rally series next year apparently.