Help lowering the front suspension

[sam.bullen]

I have read numerous threads that state lowering the front of the car by up to 1.5inches is an easy job but have little experience of torsion bars and feel they should be respected. I am looking to drop the front down by 1.5inches but do not have a jack, I only have ramps. Is there anyone in or around the London area who would be willing to help me do this (I am a keen learner and have already undertaken various tasks on my car already).

Any assistance would be hugely grateful,

Sam

[bmcecosse]

You NEED a jack...... You DO NOT need to drop the front suspension height - that would be a big mistake!! What has given you this idea??

[sam.bullen]

I realise I NEED a jack...
It is a case of wanting to lower it slightly as opposed to needing to or it being suggested

[bmcecosse]

And all that happens is - suspension constantly bottoming out and smashing the front bump stops (if they are even present?) and mangling the inner wings....... Don't do it!! If you want better handling - drain the front dampers and refill with SAE 40 oil - now that IS worth doing and costs v little.

[chrisryder]

BMC, you're assuming his suspension is already at the standard height. It could have been set TOO high by someone else...

[bmcecosse]

Aye right.......

[IslipMinor]

I have not found that lowering by 1 spline from the standard height will smash against the bump stops, if the dampers are in good condition. You do need to make sure that you cut off about 1" from the front bumps stops, and reshape them back towards a cone to preserve the bump progression.

Ours has been lowered by more than 1 spline for 40+ years, has never 'smashed' against the inner wing or anything else, and provides a very good ride over the wide variety of road surfaces we have encountered around Europe. 15 years ago we fitted Marina van torsion bars, but the lowering was exactly the same amount with the standard Minor ones.

[bmcecosse]

Richard - my car is standard height - with good standard bump stops - and it bottoms out heavily on speed bumps / dips in road / potholes etc You obviously have much better road surfaces in englandshire......Apart from being uncomfortable - this also greatly upsets the handling if it happens mid corner at decent speed....... But let's see a picture of the car to determine the ride height.........