lowering front end

teenerted1 · 11-13-2005, 03:39 PM

have uniform size tires all the way around now and think the car would look a little better with the front end a little lower.

how easy it it to lower the front ride hight. dont really want to change the driving/handling characteristics but would like to the the front end looking more even.

i know the front end was higher to pass front bumper hight laws. but i think we can get past that scrutiny from the average LE officer.

Dave at Pelican Parts · Dave at Pelican Parts's Garage

How easy? Trivial. Check the rear ends of the pivot for the A-arms. You'll see either a hex bolt or an Allen-head screw on a little lever on the rear end of the torsion bar. I believe you loosen that bolt to lower that one corner of the car.

Try to do it equal amounts on both sides--keep track of the number of turns you go. And roll the car around and bounce the suspension between each adjustment.

If you go very far at all, you will change the camber angle (how far the tops of the tires lean in or out). While not a bad thing in itself, this can change the overall handling balance of the car. You can also change the toe angle, which can make the car more twitchy. Finally, if you go really far then the steering wheel will want to kick back too much when the suspension goes over bumps ("bump steer").

The first two things can be checked and adjusted by an alignment shop, or you can DIY alignment. (Google for articles on how to do that; we have one article here but having more perspectives is a good thing!) The last can be compensated for (somewhat) by installing a "bump steer kit".

--DD

Kevin Powers · 11-14-2005, 06:21 AM

one of the adjuster screws is shown on page 101 of your haynes manual. i would suggest you turn them no more than 1/4 of a turn at one time. counterclockwise to lower. correct on the boucing, or just roll the car back and forth a few feet to settle the suspension.

k

Acox914 · 11-14-2005, 08:35 AM

i believe "tightening" or going clockwise on the adjuster makes it lower.....

always ALIGN afterward....no matter how small the change

Joe Bob · Joe Bob's Garage

Give the screws a good spritz of PB Blaster or Liquid Wrench....let it soak. Be advised they may protest a bit since it's prolly been awhile since they were turned.

Align and corner balance afterwards...

Tidybuoy · 11:37 AM

I've lowered my front end a few times and it's real easy - here are a few tips:

I usually start by raising the car to it's maximum position. This helps me make sure that both sides are exactly the same height to begin with. You must jack up the car to raise the front end (but the car can remain on the ground to lower).

At the rear of each torsion bar, there is a bolt for making adjustments. Once the car is jacked up, turn the bolt all the way to get the car at it's highest point (I can't remember if it's clockwise or the reverse but you'll figure this out).

Drive the car (or roll it about 20 ft).

Now start to lower. Turn the bolts in exact amounts for each side. I usually turn it 180 degrees to begin with but as you get closer to your desired hight, you should go with a quarter turn.

Drive the car after each adjustment. I have found that when I get the car just right, it drops another inch after a short drive so I always turn 1/4 turn and then drive around the block.

Once you know where the adjusting bolts are, you can "lower" the car with the car on the ground - but raising the car - it must be jacked up.

One more thing, if the ride height is fairly low, you may need to install a "bump steer kit". Lowering the car (with suspension adjustments or low profile tires) changes the steering geometry on any car. To compensate for this, there is a kit that has special washers about 3/4 inch thick that mount under the steering rack bolts. This is very easy to install and Pelican sell them for around $20. Without this kit, the steering wheel can jerk when going over train tracks or bumps in the road.

Vern

Kevin Powers · 11-15-2005, 09:05 AM

oops. right-o arron. counter to lower. note the aspect of the tie rods to the horizon, in other words, try to keep them parallel/
level. when you think you are done, park on a hard, level surface and look at the car from the rear. if one side appears lower/ higher, you need to adjust the opposite side adjuster of which ever side you want to change. this can be a bit frustrating. take your time. i notice you are local. redmond european is a great shop for your alignment/corner balance. monty is a nice guy and knows the play with our cars.

k