is it a big job to lower my nova?

[andy_017]

i have just bought a 1.2 nova and want to lower it and maybe put it on some 15's, i was thinking about lowering it 60mm and i am interested in doing it myself to try and learn a bit is this a big job or should i be able to do it?cheers andy :roll:

[Mike]

if you know wich end of a spanner is wich and how to use a trolley jack then it aint that hard a job at all really.

[Mike.]

its not really a difficult job, a haynes manual would be good, don't just buy springs tho get a full suspension kit the rear is a simple enough job but for the front YOU will need a a spring compressor DON'T attempt lowering your car with out one because you'll have a real bad day

[andy_017]

ok then thanks for that is 60 mm to low on 15's or wot?

[Chris]

yeah as said, get a haynes manual and if you can read and use a spanner you will be fine

Chris

[Mike]

with 60mm i dont fink ull get over speed humps with pepz in the back??

40mm should be sound tho

[Mike.]

nothing wrong lowering the car 60mm on 15s just watch the offset of the wheels :wink:

[Nick]

don't forget you'l need a cranked ring spanner to extract the top-mounts of your standard nova shocks.

i.e to get at the springs, or to fit new struts.

i suggest that if your loweing -60mm just get a gmax supersport kit. it's fairly decent stufff for the price, i've been using it for a while now, this going strong. -60mm ruins the standard shockers

[whitty_nova_1300sr]

you will so need to get the tracking done as well m8

[Nick]

and be careful with the spring compressors.

[burgo]

one of these makes it much easier http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/OBJECTS/33200/33189.JPG
it may cost ?7 but its a handy bit of kit

[Nick]

is that what i think it is !?

[burgo]

goes on top of the shock, so you basically hold the nut still and turn the shaft

[Nick]

it is what i thought it was.

Does the same job as the cranked ring spanner, but i'd imagine it's alot easier and quicker to use

[burgo]

it is much quicker and easier which is why i got it as i do alot of shocks at work

[Jack]

and be careful with the spring compressors.

Seconded. A spring in the face can put a real crimp on your day.

Still.... it'll give the hospital surgeons a laugh when they pull it out your forehead... :lol:

[Philsutton]

i have lowered a car only using a pair of mole grips before, but its not a good idea.

YOU will need a a spring compressor DON'T attempt lowering your car with out one because you'll have a real bad day
done it without them before but you risk losing your sight if you do.

[raza]

How can u tell how much your car as been lowered i no mine has been lowered just dont no how much and cant tell what the springs are as they have been painted ;\ Any ideas?

[Gunzi]

Park next to a std nova and get the ruler out!


Rear suspension can be done in well under an hour the front takes much longer, definately get yourself spring clamps from a motor factor.

Also before you start check that you HAVE the correct tools to undo the nut on top of the damper - I used a socket and a swan necked spanner (I once wedged about 6 allen keys around the nut instead of the spanner but that was a 3 person job, per shock!)

[burgo]

Rear suspension can be done in well under an hour the front takes much longer, definately get yourself spring clamps from a motor factor.
shut up it takes an hour to do the whole car, the rear only takes 10 minutes

[Nick]

How can u tell how much your car as been lowered i no mine has been lowered just dont no how much and cant tell what the springs are as they have been painted ;\ Any ideas?

lol

if it's lowered, it looks lower

if it's not, it's not lowered.

i thought the name was quite self explanatory.

but yes, get a ruler out. -60mm, on 15's with 45 tyres, you SHouldn't beable to fit more that your fingers inbetween the wheel and arch.

[Nick]

the rears take 10 mins, When doing springs

jack up, prise the axel down with a bar, withdraw spring, put new spring in.

[burgo]

yuo shouldnt have to prise it down lol and i can do it in 10 minutes changing the shocks as well

[Nick]

i had too.

the bolts on the bottom of the shockers can be a bummer, as they are exposed to the eliments, mine were caped in about 3 inches of cow shit.

[Mike.]

nick raza sed he knew his car was lowered, he didn't no how much it was lowered by, i swaped the whole suspension on my car in 45 mins
the front suspension was a pain tho

[Philsutton]

standard springs will need poping out, lowering ones will normally just fall out

[dunova]

i have lowered a car only using a pair of mole grips before, but its not a good idea.

How'd you manage that Phil? I mean i could get the spring off, but how do you get the new one on without compressing it? It can be really difficult to get the spring on and the top plate on even with it compressed.

[Philsutton]

you get your mate to near enough sit on it while you ram the nut on lol

[dunova]

Oh right, professional job then :wink: Abit like Kwik fit standards :lol:

[Philsutton]

oh yeah it was done properly, i wouldnt advise it. We only did it due to a lack of tools at the time.