Front End Lowering

icemann427 · 03-19-2008, 02:45 PM

Hi guys,

I would like to lower my 87' 930's front end about 1.5" or so. Can you tell me how to do it? Also, my front struts are almost as old as I am...Should I just replace them with the adjustable height ones that are out now?

Thanks,

Ice (Geoff)

NathanUK · NathanUK's Garage

You don't need to buy any parts. Take your car to a pro and let them adjust the torsion bars & get a full alignment with a corner weight balance.

Flieger · Flieger's Garage

You can lower the front yourself, in your driveway. There is a bolt at the rear attachment point for each torsion bar. Loosen the bolt to go down but be careful- if you go too low, you will need to jack the car up and tighten the screw without much weight on the suspension.

icemann427 · 03-20-2008, 11:55 AM

Thanks for your inputs, Nathan & Flieger. I guess I'll do one or the other suggestion...Not sure which one, yet. But thanks.

Geoff

wcc · 03-20-2008, 02:41 PM

They are both close but they need to be done together IMO. Use the bolt to lower to the height you want then take it in for an alignment and corner balance. Make sure the rear of the car is where you want it as well. Post some pics of your ride height now...

icemann427 · 03-20-2008, 04:46 PM

Bill

Here is a picture of it's current stance. Can't really see it that well from this angle, but the rears were already lowered. Now for the fronts. Thanks for your input.

Geoff

wcc · 03-20-2008, 05:01 PM

WOW! Your car is very nice!

I agree. The rear looks good. That's good because that's the hard part. The front is EASY!

What I would suggest is that you mark the bolts where they are now. Then adjust them EQUALLY. Then push down on the bumpers, drive the car etc. Then adjust them again EQUALLY. Then once you get the suspension settled and 'used' to the adjustment then it's time for the alignment and corner balance.

These are the bolts that you need to turn. Remember equally! Sorry if I'm hammering it home, but if they are marked and turned the same it's easy to return it to the beginning position without a alignment & corner balance.

icemann427 · 03-20-2008, 05:55 PM

Bill,

Thanks for the nice response...And thanks so much for the detailed pictures and advice. I NOW know I can do it myself before getting an alignment.

Geoff

icemann427 · 03-20-2008, 05:58 PM

Bill,

Maybe this dumb question will help me get started. To lower, which way do I turn the bolts? Thanks again.

Geoff

Oh Haha · 03-20-2008, 06:32 PM

To the leftis, Geoff.

Left to lower, right to raise.

By the looks of your very sweet 930's stance, you shouldn't have to go too much lower. ZIf you need more than you can get and the bolts are loose, you will need to readjust the torsion bar caps for more adjustment. it's not hard but it does make the lowering job a bit more of a PIA.

Oh yeah, get the car aligned after you are happy with the height because it WILL throw your settings out.

Flieger · Flieger's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by icemann427

Bill,

Maybe this dumb question will help me get started. To lower, which way do I turn the bolts? Thanks again.

Geoff

You'll know which direction- going lower is easy. I did it with one hand on the socket and rachet and no jack or anything. Going up takes more torque- 2 hands.

fredmeister · fredmeister's Garage

Try to make sure you have a slight 1 degree angle of attack when viewing the car from the side, when you are finished. Meaning the front should sit slightly lower than the rear.
This is critical to aero downforce when driving these cars fast....but then again no-one goes above the posted speed limits on these forums. Just a hypothetical assumption.
I know that you need to remove the metal spacer at the top of the strut tower to allow the shock to operate in the middle of its range of travel as well. Make sure this steel donut is removed.
The car looks nice.

icemann427 · 03-21-2008, 03:36 PM

Thanks Flieger and Meister! You guys rock! I should have time to do the lowering this weekend. If I do, I'll upload a pic. Thanks again.

Geoff

icemann427 · 03-22-2008, 10:25 AM

Hey Nathan, Flieger, and Meister

I lowered the front end, this morning. Here is a picture of it. I'm guessing I lowered it about 1.25"-1.50". I forgot to measure before so I don't know for sure. I think it is about where I want it. I shall drive it a few days to make sure this is the height I want and then get it realigned.

Thank you guys for all your help. I couldn't have done it without you.

Geoff

icemann427 · 03-22-2008, 10:28 AM

Sorry!!!

I forgot you, wcc and Oh haha. Knowing which way to turn it really helped a lot Oh haha! Thanks you guys.

Geoff

Flieger · Flieger's Garage

Glad to help, enjoy the car!

Oh Haha · 03-22-2008, 03:26 PM

Yeah, that looks nice at that stance.

wcc · 03-22-2008, 05:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by icemann427

Sorry!!!

I forgot you, wcc and Oh haha. Knowing which way to turn it really helped a lot Oh haha! Thanks you guys.

Geoff

No prob! Just glad I could help out. I think that it turned out very nice!

NathanUK · NathanUK's Garage

No problem, just make sure you do get it cornered and aligned. You should have more camber now but your toe is probably out.

A good way of knowing how the corners are so long as the alignment is right and your brakes are in good condition is that when you brake hard you shouldn't get one front wheel lock up due to not having enough weight on it. Make sure you do this on flat road, not cambered roads.