Doof 11 Posted October 11, 2006 Ok so I've finished my upgrade to the front of my car and it seems daft to leave the back alone. The front is currently looking like this: Bilstein Sprintline shocks SBC Roadspeed springs 309 Wishbones & Driveshafts New Track Rods & Ends New ARB Drop links New Top Mounts So what to do at he back, currently its a std 1.6 beam which isn't lowered so doesn't match the front. As far as i see it there are 2 options: 1. Lower current beam which is believed to be in good condition....cost to lower a beam? 2. Buy a 1.9 beam or 309 beam and rebuild it lower Now its looking like option 1 is a cheap and easy fix, will the car be out of balance though with the front having been upgraded? The other option would take me along a rebuild path and I dont mind doing that but I just dont know if I should go for the 309 option or 1.9 205 beam. Is there much difference because 309 beams seem very hard to get hold of. What sort of cost am I looking at to rebuild a beam? Any thoughts? help me decide Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
welshpug 1,677 Posted October 11, 2006 minimum refurb cost would be roughly £54 (cost of WMMS bearing seal and fastener kit) max cost would be £450 (which would be a new beam tube inc brgs and trailing arm axles) best get some uprated dampers and see what its like, if you like the handling as it is leave it alone Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Doof 11 Posted October 11, 2006 Sorry I should have said the Sprintline kit included uprated shocks at the back. It has to be lowered though because it looks stupid nose diving around and i can't help but think it'll drive a bit dangerously as it is. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
welshpug 1,677 Posted October 11, 2006 nah, wont be dangerous at all! you'll have improved turn in due to the steeper castor angle does actually look better when both wheels are around the same height in the wheelarch (the rear arches are lower BTW) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
smckeown 1 Posted October 11, 2006 i'd say defo go for 309 rear beam and matching shocks Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Miles 331 1 Cars Posted October 11, 2006 If your beams OK Lower that, Change the rear to Disc's which is easy, just get the Disc beam stub axle parts and change over, or the other option is just get some 1.9 Trailong arm's. Buying another beam unless in bit's is always risky these days Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pug_ham 245 3 Cars Posted October 12, 2006 I'd rebuild & lower whatever beam you choose to use, yours or a 1.9 one if you buy one. Just because its apparently good, for the sake of £100 max for bits & total rebuild (as long as your trailing arm shafts are good) its false economy to just lower a 205 beam thats over 10 years old imo. Might as well fit new bearings & seals so you know its good. That way you can lower it any amount easily & adjust it in a couple of hours if you want to at a later date. Graham. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kyepan 291 Posted October 12, 2006 are their any other advantages to a 309 beam other than the wider track? which you could use spacers to achieve. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pug_ham 245 3 Cars Posted October 12, 2006 are their any other advantages to a 309 beam other than the wider track?Thicker torsion bars & ARB. Graham. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SimonJ 2 Posted October 12, 2006 ...but harder to get really thick ones than it is for a 205 beam. If Dino's beam is still for sale that might be worth considering. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
