skanny 0 Posted February 5, 2008 HI Guys and gals, Im new but have had experience of 205's before but in the oil burning catagory! I now have my 1st 205GTI, its a 1.6 all bar the engine and the alloys which are straight out of the 1.9. The shell and running gear are 1988 (F) I bought it cheap and the rear beam is buggered, i have sent it away for reconditioning and im thinking about lowering it whilst i have the rear end apart. My questions to all you experts is as follows! Can i lower it by getting my refurb guy to locate the swing arms on a different spline when re assembling which will effectively lower the car......right? With this in mind will i need to get new shorter shockers because loweing it will close up the distance between the shocker mounting holes..........right? and lastly will this work with using the 1.9 alloys on the back as the fronts dont seem to fit fully in the arches - i cant remember if the rears did or not before i took the beam off and sent it away. i dont want to get the beam swing arms set on a different spline and then find out upon reassembly that the tyres catch the rear arches. Also what is the recommended method for lowering the front? Shorter springs? and can this be done with 1.9 alloys seeing as it looks like they are proud of the arches? Sorry for the instant barage of questions but time is of the essence, i thinl the beam will be started on tomorrow and i dont want to leave it too late to let the guy know i dont want it set to standard side height. all the best Skanny Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
welshpug 1,657 Posted February 5, 2008 Can i lower it by getting my refurb guy to locate the swing arms on a different spline when re assembling which will effectively lower the car......right? Yes With this in mind will i need to get new shorter shockers because loweing it will close up the distance between the shocker mounting holes..........right? Ideally yes but not necessarily with a mild drop. and lastly will this work with using the 1.9 alloys on the back as the fronts dont seem to fit fully in the arches - i cant remember if the rears did or not before i took the beam off and sent it away. they should be fine, the 1.9 wheels do sit a little further out in the arch than the 1.6 ones. Also what is the recommended method for lowering the front? Shorter springs? and can this be done with 1.9 alloys seeing as it looks like they are proud of the arches? as above, though I cant think what other way there is to lower the front of a coil sprung car without changing the springs unless they are adjustable dampers. welcome and good luck who is doing your refurbishment? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skanny 0 Posted February 5, 2008 who is doing your refurbishment? Thanks for the quick reply. Its coventry transmissions, cant comment on the service yet but i will when i get it back. price was quited at £250+VAT. how many splines shall i get him to move if by? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
welshpug 1,657 Posted February 5, 2008 doesn't matter how many splines as you don't count them when lowering, just ask for it to be the same as whatever front springs you choose. the ratio between damper bolt spacing dimensions and height is roughly 3-2. i.e if you want it 30mm lower then set the bolt eye dimension 20mm shorter than standard. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skanny 0 Posted February 10, 2008 doesn't matter how many splines as you don't count them when lowering, just ask for it to be the same as whatever front springs you choose. the ratio between damper bolt spacing dimensions and height is roughly 3-2. i.e if you want it 30mm lower then set the bolt eye dimension 20mm shorter than standard. Right, Decided to leave it standard height for now. Coventry transmissions did a fabulous job on the beam. I got it dropped off at closing time on Tuesday and called them on Thusrday afternoon and they appologised for the length of rime taken to do it but they were just waiting for the pain to dry on it! I got it collected on Friday and will be fitted back to the car on monday - really quick turn around considering they had to add metal back into the tube and on to the arms and then machine them back to original sizes! Ok you pay fo rthe service at £250+Vat but it shuld be as good as new and see another 10 years of service before needing done again. Cant recomend them enough, - no connection to me by the way just a satisfied customer. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
