sutol 0 Posted December 22, 2007 Does anyone know how much clearance there is between the front tyre and the bottom spring carrier on a standard 1.9 GTI ? Mine are off at the mo Ta Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sutol 0 Posted December 23, 2007 I'll put it another way...What are the largest wheels that would go on forgetting the turning problem? i.e. could I fit wheels which stood 1" taller than standard when stood side by side ? Why? ....because I've been thinking and I have an idea Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
welshpug 1,657 Posted December 23, 2007 you wouldnt need to worry one bit if you put larger wheels with the correct size tyre. i.e if you go for 17"s you'd more than likely use a 205 40 tyre. or for 16's 195 45 IIRC. WHY??! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sutol 0 Posted December 23, 2007 WHY??! I was thinking why can't I lower the front suspension half an inch by clamping the strut further up. i would have to grind and weld a bit but why can't it be done... there must be an obvious reason that I am missing Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
welshpug 1,657 Posted December 23, 2007 yeah, check the clearance to the CV joint.... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sutol 0 Posted December 23, 2007 yeah, check the clearance to the CV joint.... could always cut the bottom off the strut and weld a base back in. I was thinking that it would be the easiest way to lower the car a bit and the spring rates would be the same, so why don't more people do it rather than fiddling with springs and shocks ? I recon half an inch would do it could even make them adjustable Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
welshpug 1,657 Posted December 23, 2007 cos the strut piston would punch a hole in the bottom. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tom_m 0 Posted December 23, 2007 could always cut the bottom off the strut and weld a base back in. I was thinking that it would be the easiest way to lower the car a bit and the spring rates would be the same, so why don't more people do it rather than fiddling with springs and shocks ?I recon half an inch would do it could even make them adjustable some do, you'll find some manufacturers make specifically shorter dampers for lowering cars. bilstein for example. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sutol 0 Posted December 23, 2007 cos the strut piston would punch a hole in the bottom. I Knew there was a catch....but I'm not beaten yet, I'll check to see if we have any lee way in that area and what the tolerances are. It was an idea for my budget track car next summer so we will see. Thanks for the input Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sutol 0 Posted December 23, 2007 some do, you'll find some manufacturers make specifically shorter dampers for lowering cars. bilstein for example. Trouble is my budget is almost zero and I will have to work with what I have in the garage so purpose built stuff is out. Very nice but out. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
welshpug 1,657 Posted December 23, 2007 leave it as it is, spend the saved time on track Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sutol 0 Posted December 23, 2007 Good idea but someone has lowered the rear by about half an inch so need to level it up on the cheap. Could weld some new top mounts in half an inch higher Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
welshpug 1,657 Posted December 23, 2007 raise the back, cheaper than messing with the front Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tom_m 0 Posted December 23, 2007 Good idea but someone has lowered the rear by about half an inch so need to level it up on the cheap. Could weld some new top mounts in half an inch higher just hit a few big bumps hard the strut tops will deform nicely if you hit them hard enough Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nick 3 Posted December 24, 2007 If you are going to the trouble of cutting up a damper, why not fit the diy coilover kit? Springs are dirt cheap and you have the adjustable ride height that you want. Nick Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jrod 7 Posted December 24, 2007 Or a set of lowering springs costs peanuts. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sutol 0 Posted December 24, 2007 Or a set of lowering springs costs peanuts. Right, I've had a word with the wife and she said that it it quite possible that Santa could bring a set of lowering springs if the price was right. Well I've sourced some at trade with a little discount as it was very quiet and they wanted to go home rather than argue the toss about prices at 3.0 clock on christmas eve So the front is going down and I'll save the experimenting for the next 205 budget track car in summer. Thanks all and a merry christmas Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
snillet 1 Posted January 3, 2008 About the piston going through the strut, the pistons aren´t usually in a very hard material at all, i´ve cut mine down 45mm and rethreaded them , to get less upward movement on the inside wheel when cornering hard. I not NOT recommend that for gravel though Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
