KW springs and shocks fitted

[skahigh]

Well, after a couple of weeks of waiting I had my new KW springs and shocks fitted along with new front and rear wishbone bushes, rear beam bushes and top mounts. On top of this it turned out that both my front tyres were worn down to the metal reinforcement on the inside edge (blowout country) so had to have two new tyres as well.

All I can say is wow, what a difference! The ride feels a little more bouncy now but the damping is superb, no more crashing over every little lump and bump and no more creaking rear suspension over speed bumps. Handling also seems to be improved and the steering feels ALOT lighter, the car feels more planted on the road and I had alot more confidence tipping it into high speed corners.

The wear on my front tyres was the result of bad tracking despite me having stumped up for a full four wheel alignment only about 8 months ago. I was running Falken 452's but the new fronts are Avon ZZ3's. The new tyres seem to be alot quieter and more grippy and although I havn't tested them in the wet yet I'm quite sure I own't be going back to the Falken's at any point. Going for a full wheel alignment (somewhere different) this morning and all sorted.

All in all I'm very pleased, I don't think the front has dropped at all but then that may change once its had time to settle.

 

[DamianPM]

Glad you're happy mate!

Damian @ DPM

 

[mike2926]

sounds like a nice set up.

cheers

 

[JamJay]

I hear that alot about suspension kits where the front doesn't seem to drop. I hope it does for you some time soon, i'd hate that to happen and not have it settle at all.

 

[Rocky Rocastle]

It should drop a little bit once the springs have had some weight on them for a little while. Have you got a pic of the whole car from side on as it is now.

 

[skahigh]

I'm not too worried about the drop, its not the reason I wanted new suspension.

Do not have a side on pic at the mo but going for a little drive this afternoon so will probably take a few pics.

 

[JamJay]

What I meant was that it might look a bit off if the back is lower than the front.

 

[james walker]

it lowers the rear more as the springs on the front will settle with the engine weight to the rite height.... imo it looks spot on now

 

[skahigh]

Side on shots:

Before

After

 

[DannyC87]

looks much better, the perfect stance for looks and practicality i'd say your missing a centre cap by the way

 

[skahigh]

looks much better, the perfect stance for looks and practicality i'd say your missing a centre cap by the way

I know, think some little scrote nicked it a couple of days ago.

Cheers for reminding me though, I need to get a new one.

 

[DannyC87]

thieving gits! think they are around £5 at the dealers - a couple disappeared from mine last year too!

 

[skahigh]

I stay away from the dealers mate, I know a guy at TPS who gives a discount.

 

[LEE69]

Looks to be the ideal drop.

 

[lofer]

I think the ride height looks perfect!

I’ve got my coilovers set to a very similar height.

Glad to hear your handling’s improved too. I think I might try some polly bushes next. Which ones did you use?

 

[CupraMVR]

looks spot on now mate. hope your tracking get sorted keep you smiling and using the full life of your tyres

 

[skahigh]

Glad to hear your handling’s improved too. I think I might try some polly bushes next. Which ones did you use?

No poly bushes, was all new standard bushes and bearings apart from the wishbone bushes which were TT bushes.

 

[skahigh]

looks spot on now mate. hope your tracking get sorted keep you smiling and using the full life of your tyres

Had the wheel alignment done today and the toe was MILES out hence the reason for the uneven tyre wear.

Front camber is also some way out but I rang my mechanic and he reckons it's not a problem, the place that did the wheel alignment couldn't work out how to do the front camber because it has a fixed single bolt.

 

[slim20vt]

what was the full cost mate? and did it lower it by 20mm??

 

[skahigh]

what was the full cost mate? and did it lower it by 20mm??

Hard to say, havn't actually paid for the fitting yet but its going to be in the region of £500 so all in I'm looking at £1100

20mm lowering? not sure, the back certainly seems to have dropped and the front probably a little. You can see the difference in the pics.