Lowering front suspension

[stevensani]

would like to lower the front of the car about 1 1/2 inches. Does anyone know whether this is a simple procedure or is it a long job. Any help will do. thanks

[hotrodder13]

you could try lowering it a bit on the adjuster plate (10 min job) on the back of the main crossmember , or if u do want that much u will have to move the torsion bar round a spline on the lower wishbone(thnk thats what its called)

but beware i lowered my by 3" and it has smashed a bump stop off and damaged my inner wing make sure that your bump stops are there and in good nick

[bmcecosse]

It's a simple job - the crossmember bolts are likely to be rusted solid - just move the arm on the torsion bar. Don't go more than one spline as explained above.

[mike.perry]

With all the road humps you need all the suspension travel you can get or you will be forever replacing bump stop rubbers

[bmcecosse]

And inner wings

[hotrodder13]

yes i did mine by two splines looks better (in my opinion) but it has made me need a new inner wing and bump stops

[IslipMinor]

1 spline = 1 1/4" try that first and see what it looks and feels like. Echo the comment on bump stops - absolutely essential, but cut down by about 1" and reshaped to allow for the lowering. This amount of lowering should not give any problems with inner wings. Ours is a bit lower, and has been for 40 years, but never had any problem with inner wing fouling.

[bmcecosse]

It's not inner wing fouling as such - it gets battered out of shape by the suspension constantly hammering the bump stops on poor roads/potholes/speed bumps. And the front lower suspension arms also batter the engine bay floor - the 'tie plates'. I would not reshape the front bump stops - but at least 1" can be safely removed from the rears!

[IslipMinor]

No problem with the tie plates either. We did many years ago when the LH bump stop rubber came adrift from the mounting plate, but during the restoration 12 years ago I fitted new bump stops, shortened by 1" and re-profiled to restore the progression and all is fine. We do have uprated torsion bars (Marina van), much stiffer Koni dampers and an anti-roll bar. Even so the front does not feel over-stiff, if anything a bit soft, but very well damped - just what Colin Chapman ordered!!

Oh, and we have lots of speed bumps whichever way we come into our village, so lots of exercise for the front suspension!

[bmcecosse]

Your secret lies in the uprated T bars!

[hotrodder13]

mine has standard dampers and suspension but has no damage to engine bay floor, but i will be upgrading the dampers soon

[stevensani]

Overwhelmed by the response. Like to thank you all and will be shortly having a go.
Thanks again