how to lower leaf spring

[just vaux trev]

does anyone know how you lower a van on leaf springs or
how you would convert it to springs and shocks,
mk2 astra (astramax)van,
greatful for any help please folks:thumb:

[AlexW]

I know on escorts (and from what i know most cars)etc its done buy putting the axle on top of the leafs, rather than below.

[just vaux trev]

good thinking bat man
sounds like it would work,
wouldn't have though about that cheers

[matt_vaughan]

Lowering blocks springs to mind.

[just vaux trev]

any more info on those matt,
sorry but in the world of leaf im dumb

[just vaux trev]

ah found em on the bay

[Asa-James]

as mentioned above, vw caddys "flip" the rear axle, so should do the trick nicely

[just vaux trev]

think i will be having a go at that then,
or should i be thinking of doing the huge amount of welding???hmmm........
springs!

[L14MNP]

Blocks FTW. Not all axles can be flipped.

[ck]

is your current axle mounted above or below the leaf springs? if above its a simple case of blocks to lower it...

[John]

Mk2 astra vans are coils are springs? Astramax is on leafs trev.

[John]

heres an old mk2 van of mine, lowered 100mm at the rear, using car springs and hangers, as the van springs are pigtail springs.
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l240/tooleater16v/bartletts%20nova/103_0874.jpg

[just vaux trev]

yup you prob guessed it john it's astramax,(named sieve)
not had a look if it's top or bottom mounted springs

[John]

Lol, all astramaxes were sieves when they still had warranty! yep tis on leafs iirc. And also bottom mounted too iirc.

[just vaux trev]

just been have a gander and the axle is mounted below the springs

[John]

go for the above mount! Shouldn't be too hard should it?

[Spudly]

Forgive me for thread-jacking but how do "blocks" lower leaf springs i just cant quite picture it?

[just vaux trev]

so far needs:
x2 outer/r arches
x2 iner/r arches
x2 rear sills

[just vaux trev]

go for the above mount! Shouldn't be too hard should it?

shouldn't be i hope but then it is 20 years old,
think i best get some new u bolts first lol

[just vaux trev]

Forgive me for thread-jacking but how do "blocks" lower leaf springs i just cant quite picture it?

quite welcome to thread jack,
as far as i can tell the blocks push the axel further from the spring thus making the axel sit higher and motor lower, as long as the axel is mounted above the springs (me thinks):tard:

[Asa-James]

^indeed, block goes on top of the leaf, and the axle then sits on the block. axle goes up, while body goes down in effect