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bobbber · Posted: Wed Jun 07, 2006 1:22 pm Post subject: Lowering springs question

Hello People - haven't been around here much lately... been a busy boy Cool

Next weekend I intend to change the front brake pads, and the strut pan bearings. This makes sense to do them together - so I only have to take the wheel off once for both jobs.

When changing the strut pan bearing - the springs have to come off the shocks.

Now the clincher.... I have some 'mildly' lowered springs which I intend to put on the standard shocks. Firstly - I'd like people's opinions about doing this. And secondly whether it's ok to put these springs on the front - and leave the rear as stock springs for the time being. I don't have the time at present to fit all four springs together.

So - should I change the front springs only at this juncture - or put the stock springs back on - or not change the springs at all (travel of the stock shocks etc....)

Thanks!

Bob
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Fiat Bravo 165 Sport

paulhide · Posted: Wed Jun 07, 2006 2:13 pm Post subject:

Hiya matey, just did the right same job last weekend and I'm well pleased with the results as the old stock springs were also old and tired and the car handles loads better now. If you only change the fronts your lights won't be so good. Luckily I had two spare suspension struts to put the springs on first. Just off down the road in a minute to check on the toe out. Did have a few problems though, just to warn you. Remember spring ends top and bottom should face inwards towards the engine. Found one pan was rather badly rusted and replaced with a spare only to find the pan I put on was the wrong way round so had to dig around for another. Also replacing the rears one of the nuts on the bottom of the rear beam sheared so I had to dig around for another rear shock bottom bracket.
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http://www.alfa-pages.co.uk/viewtopic.php?t=5188

bobbber · Posted: Wed Jun 07, 2006 4:27 pm Post subject:

Paul,

Shouldn't be too much of a problem for me - I have new(ish) pans!

I'm probably going to go for it then..... and see how it handles!!!!!

Bob
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Fiat Bravo 165 Sport

Edward · Alfa 33 Joined: 21 Sep 2003 Posts: 307 Location: Bristol

Bob,

It really is very quick to change the back springs. It should be 40 mins tops.

There are only 4 nuts total.

Saying that there is no interior lining in my car.

If you bring the car over here I would do it for you!! Leave it with me and by the time you have boiled the kettle - swished the teabags around, put some milk in and drank it - they would be done.

There's an offer!!
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The faster the better.

bobbber · Posted: Thu Jun 08, 2006 9:46 am Post subject:

Edward,

You're a nice bloke Smile

I thought there were two bolts each side for the arms - and one for the panhard rod (five so far). Then disconnect the brake pipes - and the nuts at the bottom of the struts.

I make that 7 bolts/nuts?

I've never done it before mind you!!!!!

Bob
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Fiat Bravo 165 Sport

mt · Posted: Thu Jun 08, 2006 3:28 pm Post subject: Re: Lowering springs question

Edward · Alfa 33 Joined: 21 Sep 2003 Posts: 307 Location: Bristol

Bob,

It sound that you have in mind that you have to remove the connections from the axle to change the springs - but you don't. Once you lift the car and the axle drops under its own weight - and you have taken off the bolts top and bottom (of the shock) you can quite easily remove the shocks and springs out to one side, from under the car. There is actually 2 bolts at the top of each shock but one locks the other in place - so you could say there are 6, but still it is quite easy. Do one side at a time. There is no need to disconnect anything else. Push the shock down inside the spring - remember to pull it up again when putting it back together. It takes a bit of effort getting it back up through the whole again at the top, that's were mrs. E comes in handy!

I would also consider cutting one of the rings of the existing springs to lower it an inch. People mention occasionally how 'inappropriate' this is - but I have done it many times on many cars (33's) and I really can't find any detrimental affect.
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The faster the better.

stedee · Alfa 33 Joined: 02 May 2006 Posts: 364 Location: brighouse

i had a friend who had a 33 16v and someone had cut the springs,he didnt drive it much because he was worried about it, anyway one day he drove it giving it some as he always did ,the suspension bottomed out and flicked the car off the road - he died ,a friend of mine was with him at the time and amazingly he didnt have a scratch
so be warned about cutting the springs!!!!!!
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mt · Posted: Sat Jun 10, 2006 8:36 pm Post subject: Re: Lowering springs question

stedee · Alfa 33 Joined: 02 May 2006 Posts: 364 Location: brighouse

dont apologise mate i am just warning you it can be dodgy.the coils at the top and bottom of the spring are to stop it bottoming out so sharply.if say you were going downa hill at say 120 then at the point where it starts going up is a bit rough (poor road surface)the spring will compress as much as it can but if there was a lot more energy there when the spring is already fully compressed it could jolt the car either causing the car to skip(not good if a bend is approaching)or actually break some suspension part.i have heard of this on all cars when you cut the bottom coil.i mean yeah you will be fine 99% of the time but one day if you meet the right conditions at the right speed you could be in trouble. if you are not a nutter like my mate you will be fine but if you did drive pretty fast down
nice country a or b roads just be aware it is not a perfect set up.
yours steve
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bobbber · Posted: Mon Jun 12, 2006 10:46 am Post subject:

I have reduced height springs anyway - so no cutting for me!

Bob Cool

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Fiat Bravo 165 Sport

stedee · Alfa 33 Joined: 02 May 2006 Posts: 364 Location: brighouse

good on ya Very Happy

while im on does anybody know about fitting 4 bolt legs onto a hole car
basically i have bought legs with lowered springs off good old ebay but they are 4 bolt - i looked at my car expecting to see 4 holes but no - 3 holes
can i take the top bit off(i think its called the pan with the bearings in)and replace it with the pan off my original shocks if not can i use the shockers off the 4 bolt legs instead, i presume the springs are going to fit anyway
cheers steve
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tvatavuk · Posted: Tue Jun 13, 2006 9:35 am Post subject:

I'm sorry to inform you, but complete strut is different.
4 bolt vs 3 bolt

springs - cilinder vs conical
shocks - different spring mount, different thicknes of stub...
bearing - in mid vs on top

It would be easiest to replace chasis part that holds top strut mount, but I would not recomed it. I'm not sure I would like to wonder while in fast corner will shocks go through bonnet.

If it is possible maybe it would be best to make 2-3 new holes in that part and desing top mount adapter that would fit 3 bolt to 4 bolt chasis mount.
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Tino Vatavuk
Little black dress which replaced Alfa Romeo 33 S 16v Permanent 4 GMo

stedee · Alfa 33 Joined: 02 May 2006 Posts: 364 Location: brighouse

oh b***cks
cheers anyway
do you think say for instance i drilled the holes to match the 4 stud strut and then put on a strut brace to strengthen the holes that would be safe
steve
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mt · Posted: Tue Jun 13, 2006 1:52 pm Post subject:

stedee · Alfa 33 Joined: 02 May 2006 Posts: 364 Location: brighouse

hi mt
yeah you are right, i was just sounding out ideas, i might see if i can change the top bracket on the leg if not i will flog them but i have a feeling its going to be hard to find the three stud legs you see i want lower springs plus shockers because one has gone on mine.
by the way i dont intend to ever flog it
oh and how did you get on?
steve
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bobbber · Posted: Tue Jun 13, 2006 4:17 pm Post subject:

Steedee.... try mangolstsi

Bob
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Fiat Bravo 165 Sport