Couple of q's on lowering car

deadlast

My car handles like a soggy welly so i've ordered Koni springs (35mm drop) for it and will be getting them and two new front tyres fitted soon. I'm assuming ill need 4wheel alignment done afterwards.
So should the car be left to settle on the new springs for a few days before the alignment is done or can it be done straight away?

What else do I need to look out for?

Thanks

Vegeta

What are the ratings of the new springs versus the old ones, just out of interest?

Getting the alignment done is a good idea but unless you have camber adjusters on your car trying to get factory settings after lowering it can be difficult but its still a good idea.

I have never heard of new springs needing to settle. I'd say fit them, go for a drive and then go get the car aligned.

deadlast

Vegeta wrote: »

What are the ratings of the new springs versus the old ones, just out of interest?

Getting the alignment done is a good idea but unless you have camber adjusters on your car trying to get factory settings after lowering it can be difficult but its still a good idea.

I have never heard of new springs needing to settle. I'd say fit them, go for a drive and then go get the car aligned.

link: http://www.dcdezign.com/cheap/82394/toyota/koni/lowering-springs/1020-6145.html

mickdw

I would never just fit lowering springs. Have you given any thought to the shock absorbers. With the lowered stiffened springs, you might not have enough shock so you would most probably need to upgrade those too.
Most experts will only finalise alignment for you after the suspension has bedded in as a small amount of settlement does take place. Even in new cars, this happens and can often lead to a wheel alignment being required after a few thousand miles.
With the lower ride height, You will possibly get inner tyre wear unless you correct the camber. This will be difficult unless there are kits available for your car.

colm_mcm

Vegeta wrote: »

I have never heard of new springs needing to settle. I'd say fit them, go for a drive and then go get the car aligned.

Mine took nearly a week to go to proper height after lowering.

Hotwheels

deadlast wrote: »

My car handles like a soggy welly so i've ordered Koni springs (35mm drop) for it and will be getting them and two new front tyres fitted soon. I'm assuming ill need 4wheel alignment done afterwards.
So should the car be left to settle on the new springs for a few days before the alignment is done or can it be done straight away?

What else do I need to look out for?

Thanks

If you are going down this road get a complete kit, springs + shocks that are matched for your car...it will avoid any unnecessary extra work...:)

voxpop

the springs and shocks are matched to each other, not the car. Btw what is the car ?

The best solution is a full kit (koni shocks + eibach springs are supposed to work well together) - however you are talking the guts of a grand here.

Going cheap, for some no name springs/shocks is usually a false economy as they tend to be rubbish.

There are some guys in Dublin that do H&R twin tube coilovers for around the 700 mark - which might be a good middle ground compromise.

2 Espressi

When you say "soggy welly" could you be more specific? Damp Dunlop? Rancid Rigger?

You might find it more useful to fit a strut brace or anti roll bar, this will lessen the side to side wallowing of the car, but won't compromise ride comfort as much as lowering springs.

Henry Ford III

Advise your insurer too. In writing.

JHMEG

colm_mcm wrote: »

Mine took nearly a week to go to proper height after lowering.

I heard if you put bags of sand on the bonnet and on the boot you can get it to settle quicker. They also apparently improve handling.

voxpop

Henry Ford III wrote: »

Advise your insurer too. In writing.

Do you really need to advise you insurer if you upgrade the suspension components ? I can see it for a remap - but better suspension or brakes will make the car safer


And as above - if the car is rolling too much an upgraded or extra arb is the best place to start.

daveharnett

voxpop wrote: »

Do you really need to advise you insurer if you upgrade the suspension components ?

Yes.

voxpop wrote: »

I can see it for a remap - but better suspension or brakes will make the car safer

Assuming the modifications are done well - the insurers don't know either way. It's doesn't really matter anyway - insurers don't care how 'safe' the car is. They care how statistically likely the car + driver is to have claims, and how much those claims will cost.

colm_mcm

daveharnett wrote: »

Yes.

Assuming the modifications are done well - the insurers don't know either way. It's doesn't really matter anyway - insurers don't care how 'safe' the car is. They care how statistically likely the car + driver is to have claims, and how much those claims will cost.

Insurers specifically ask about modifications made to the car. they also look for any way to avoid paying out if you're in a smash.

Vegeta

colm_mcm wrote: »

Mine took nearly a week to go to proper height after lowering.

Cool, never heard of that before.

deadlast

its an 02 corolla t-sport. I have a strut-brace on the way to me also, so hopefully the combination will sort out the hangling issues.
I got quotes and informed the insurer before i ordered the parts.

I'm just going with springs at the moment, the lads who have tried and tested on the TOC owners site reckon good results are to be had even with this!

Guess ill wait and see, thanks for the advice.