From notches to lowering the right way!

[Skorpion]

How do you reverse the car being lowered on notches? And will it be ok to lower it the right way afterwards?

[KamRacing]

do a search for the link to Badger motorsport.

Basically if yours has been done badely then it would be a good idea to get the oil seals redone and check the bearings are aok and lubed well.

[Skorpion]

So thats how to lower it properly! But how do you get it so it hasn't been done by the notch method? Or when you do it the proper way will the notch method be 'erased'???

[craigy_87]

nah i think when its done by notches the damage is done thats why KamRacing mentioned checking your bearings an such to see if damage has been done
then you can go on to lower it the correct way

[Skorpion]

Ok, still dont get that if I get it lowered properly wont it still be on the wrong notch? Or when you take the torsion bar out does that change the notch back?

[R085_VTS]

mine was done notches first and JP lowered it correct way, my bearings were in perfect condition as well as the rest..

[Skorpion]

mine was done notches first and JP lowered it correct way, my bearings were in perfect condition as well as the rest..

Cool. He did mention he could do mine for me aswell! So that should be problem solved! :y:

[willsy]

mine was done notches first and JP lowered it correct way, my bearings were in perfect condition as well as the rest..

I think thats going to be by far your best bet to be honest mate, i can see it going tits up taking it to any old garage.

Josh and his dad will give it the full check over. As yours hasnt been done that long, hopefully the notches way wont have caused any (if any) damage yet

[Aron]

the damage will only occur when beein done. so if they fewok then no dmage should be done

[Toby-VTR]

the damage will only occur when beein done. so if they fewok then no dmage should be done

correct the notches method can only cause damage when being done aslong as everything is checked it would not cause damage but is not as adjustable or measurable as the correct way.

[CHRI5]

I think thats going to be by far your best bet to be honest mate, i can see it going tits up taking it to any old garage.

Josh and his dad will give it the full check over. As yours hasnt been done that long, hopefully the notches way wont have caused any (if any) damage yet

I have this very same issue, mine was done by notches a while ago and sits a bit too low at the back. Would this Josh fella check mine and relower for a price? How can I contact him?

Cheers.

[lavo-vts]

i dont see how u lower by notches?

[willsy]

Would this Josh fella check mine and relower for a price? How can I contact him?

He's on Saxp with the username jpsaxo :y: he's online fairly frequent to drop him a PM and im sure he'll reply fairly quick :)

[CHRI5]

Nice one, thanks for the info willsy.

[nickshally]

wats the proper way to do it?

[CHRI5]

http://www.suzukituning.com/PSA/Suspension/Lowering.htm

[ricstat]

seems like to much hassle is it really uncomfy for people sitting in the back once its done?

[Icey_Furio]

I'm a bit lost here. I appreciate peoples views on ruining the bearings etc when lowering by notches, but how does it make it sit too low? Or make the ride too hard?

When lowering by notches, you can still choose the ride height. You haven't got as much option granted, but I'm confused as to why the ride and height are an issue?

[jpsaxo]

Think it through, for starters it will lower one side more than the other...

Do it properly or dont do it at all.

And as mentioned before (thanks guys), my car is now all but complete so any lowering you need doing i will be able to sort when im back from the "ring".

Thanks guys.

Josh.

[KamRacing]

ride and height will be the same as any other lowered beam. The issue is by using notches its not as precise in setting the height and you disturb the bearings and seals, unlike the proper method.

[Icey_Furio]

I have thought it through. Quite alot!

Ride height won't be different either side unless the person doing it ballses it up. And to be honest, you'd need to balls it up by about a 40mm difference either side.....anyone who manages that shouldn't be allowed near spanners.

It just strikes me that the majority of people on here slate a certain way of doing something, purely to copy one or two people who do actually know their salt. I'm not saying anything's wrong here, just that from this whole thread I can only see one or two posts that are accurate.

I can fully understand where Kam Racing is coming from though. But I still maintain that if you only want a 40mm drop and you don't need to fine tune the height, that notches is an acceptable way of lowering a back end PROVIDED you don't stress any bearings or seals (ie by letting the arm hang down while not reinserted correctly), which in itself isn't as easy as it sounds.

However, removing the bars is the best way all round I agree.

[jpsaxo]

However, removing the bars is the best way all round I agree.

So.... As i said, do it the "right" way or not at all.

I cant be arsed to explain as i havent got the time at the moment, All i will say is its funny how all the beams i've had to refurb have been lowered the "notches" way isnt it.

When lowering guys make sure you push the arb seals back on correctly as this is another mistake im finding alot of people seem to do.

Couple of pics...

ARB seal (or lack of it)

http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l58/jpsaxo/Photo-0260.jpg

And the "pin" it was sitting on...

http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l58/jpsaxo/Photo-0231000.jpg

And how they should look....

http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l58/jpsaxo/Photo-0227.jpg

[CHRI5]

A little update for those who may be interested. Just got my car back from Josh (jpsaxo). Fixed my aforementioned problems. Turns out my bearing and seal was buggered on the off side and sounds like the guys that lowered it in the first place didnt do a good job at all.

It's now raised back up by about 20mm at the rear and sits level. I've only driven it a relatively short distance back home but the improvement in ride quality and handling is shocking! So much smoother and stable in the corners. I just wish I had bothered to get it sorted out sooner.

So my advice to all the kiddies out there is get it done the right way first time!! And if you've had it done the 'notches' way, get it looked at sooner rather than later. I would definitely recommend jpsaxo (and his dad :)), top guys.

[patrick2403]

how can u tell if its done the proper way?

[CHRI5]

Best bet would be to ask whoever did the lowering job. I knew because I was told at the time that it was 'put down a few notches', but I was ignorant then to this being the wrong way. It was also sitting lower at the back as the notches way you cant choose the exact ride height you want.

[blacksax1]

how do i know if mine has been done properly. i paid £117 for it to be dropped 40mm and it was done by a pug tuning centre in leamington spa?:panic: :panic:

[CHRI5]

I would like to think a specialist centre would know what they are doing. But you could always call them up, pretend to be a new customer interested in lowering (incase they try to cover their arse) and ask them to describe how they do it cause you have heard theres a right and a wrong way.

[blacksax1]

I would like to think a specialist centre would know what they are doing. But you could always call them up, pretend to be a new customer interested in lowering (incase they try to cover their arse) and ask them to describe how they do it cause you have heard theres a right and a wrong way.

mmmmmmmmmmmmmmm think i might give them a buzz:mobile:

[jpsaxo]

Thanks Chris, glad your happy with it bud :)