K11 project
- Thread starter peposhi
- Start date
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peposhi
Once I win the Euromillions...
Thanks, Seb
That was really funny... "IN A MICRA?!?"... you should have heard him, ha-ha:laugh:
davedaveld
Ex. Club Member
Nice car mate I have the same springs in a box in the garage just waiting to go on did you have any problems putting them on ?
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peposhi
Once I win the Euromillions...
Not at all, Dave. I replaced the rear one by myself. For the front went to a friends garage to use their special tool. Even though I bought one cheap, I was too worried to use it. Decided to be careful and have it done the secure way
Do you have an adj panhard rod to replace the standard one?
davedaveld
Ex. Club Member
Nope do I need one lol (i have no idea about this stuff):wasntme:
davedaveld
Ex. Club Member
ok ive had a look and i carnt find much about it do you think you could tell me if its no trouble (Y)
OP
OP
peposhi
Once I win the Euromillions...
HI, mate...
Here is a copy-paste of a most credible info about them rods:
Panhard rod suspension
Here's a simple illustration to demonstrate the problem with the rear suspension set up that micras have. To prevent the axle being offset too far as in the second picture when the car is lowered, you should get an adjustable length panhard link.
Panhard link (blue) when suspension is fully uncompressed and standard
Panhard link (blue) when suspension is either compressed or (lowered and uncompressed)
As you can see, in the second picture, if you simply put shorted springs in your car without shortening the length of the panhard link, your rear axle offset becomes too great, and the left wheel becomes further in under the guard while the right wheel protrudes further out past the guard.
An adjustable panhard link will enable the axle to have a decent starting offset even while the car is lowered. There's nothing you can do about the axle offset increasing as the suspension is compressed ie when hitting a bump, however if you set the offset up correctly when uncompressed, its not an issue as it doesn't change enough to worry about when hitting bumps etc.
Additionally, from my discussions with Whiteline Automotive after overhauling my suspension, they told me that lowering without an adjustable panhard rod also had a terrible effect on the rear axle toe. This makes perfect sense, as its a multi-link design, when the axle offset changes, so does the rear axle toe. Basically one wheel's toe was almost straight while the other had massive toe-out (terrible for handling and tyre wear).
More advanced designs like the "Watts link" featured on solid axle rear wheel drive Ford Falcons combat this problem by a weird swivel type link mounted in a central position. This eliminates the one-way axle offset issue associated with the panhard link design.
The panhard link design allthough frustrating at first, is simple and easy to make perform well.
Now... I have lowered my car with only 30-35 mm and used a substitute of an adjustable panhard rod - Frank's made bushes:
You may ask Frank off here to do a set of them for you. They're about 12GBP. I have them on and they do the job, But I experienced this:
It's down to my style of driving and the bushes combined I suppose, cause here you have no flexibility, the bushes are fixed and tight. I replaced the snapped rod and had no probs so far, but I'm already looking at the other option:
A proper adj panhard rod.
You can either:
a) make your own
http://www.toyotagtturbo.com/forums/showthread.php?50882-DIY-adjustable-panhard-rod-%A311.20
b) get Noddie off here to do one for you
http://www.micra.org.uk/threads/44028-F-S-Adjustable-Panhard-Rod
c) buy a brand new one(easy enough to find, from Mat Humphris off here for example)
It's all up to you what you want to do.
If you are to go any lower in the future, the adjustable panhard rod is a MUST.
I should have gone for it at first place, but did not know that The Lowering Bug would catch me sooo fast
(Y)(Y)(Y)(Y) Best of luck!
Here is a copy-paste of a most credible info about them rods:
Panhard rod suspension
Here's a simple illustration to demonstrate the problem with the rear suspension set up that micras have. To prevent the axle being offset too far as in the second picture when the car is lowered, you should get an adjustable length panhard link.
As you can see, in the second picture, if you simply put shorted springs in your car without shortening the length of the panhard link, your rear axle offset becomes too great, and the left wheel becomes further in under the guard while the right wheel protrudes further out past the guard.
An adjustable panhard link will enable the axle to have a decent starting offset even while the car is lowered. There's nothing you can do about the axle offset increasing as the suspension is compressed ie when hitting a bump, however if you set the offset up correctly when uncompressed, its not an issue as it doesn't change enough to worry about when hitting bumps etc.
Additionally, from my discussions with Whiteline Automotive after overhauling my suspension, they told me that lowering without an adjustable panhard rod also had a terrible effect on the rear axle toe. This makes perfect sense, as its a multi-link design, when the axle offset changes, so does the rear axle toe. Basically one wheel's toe was almost straight while the other had massive toe-out (terrible for handling and tyre wear).
More advanced designs like the "Watts link" featured on solid axle rear wheel drive Ford Falcons combat this problem by a weird swivel type link mounted in a central position. This eliminates the one-way axle offset issue associated with the panhard link design.
The panhard link design allthough frustrating at first, is simple and easy to make perform well.
Now... I have lowered my car with only 30-35 mm and used a substitute of an adjustable panhard rod - Frank's made bushes:
You may ask Frank off here to do a set of them for you. They're about 12GBP. I have them on and they do the job, But I experienced this:
It's down to my style of driving and the bushes combined I suppose, cause here you have no flexibility, the bushes are fixed and tight. I replaced the snapped rod and had no probs so far, but I'm already looking at the other option:
A proper adj panhard rod.
You can either:
a) make your own
http://www.toyotagtturbo.com/forums/showthread.php?50882-DIY-adjustable-panhard-rod-%A311.20
b) get Noddie off here to do one for you
http://www.micra.org.uk/threads/44028-F-S-Adjustable-Panhard-Rod
c) buy a brand new one(easy enough to find, from Mat Humphris off here for example)
It's all up to you what you want to do.
If you are to go any lower in the future, the adjustable panhard rod is a MUST.
I should have gone for it at first place, but did not know that The Lowering Bug would catch me sooo fast
(Y)(Y)(Y)(Y) Best of luck!
frank
Club Member
ta
the one in the 2nd pic is fitted/positioned wrong tho eh (you need to shorten the rod, not extend it eh lol )
davedaveld
Ex. Club Member
All clear now thanks
davedaveld
Ex. Club Member
Looking at how to make one I could do that as clarkson says "how hard can it be" lol
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peposhi
Once I win the Euromillions...
ta
yeah... I posted a picture showing the wrong way without mentioning it
Thanks, Frank :blush:
Sorted!
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peposhi
Once I win the Euromillions...
Yes, it's a very smart thing
The hole is off the center and allows you to "adjust" the OEM rod a little (Y)
OP
OP
peposhi
Once I win the Euromillions...
The snapped one I have will be my trial... I plan to do an off-car adjustable one.
Will post pics of course
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OP
peposhi
Once I win the Euromillions...
OP
OP
peposhi
Once I win the Euromillions...
Smooth wings FTW
When time comes, there will be shaved doors FTMW too (Y)
p.p.
Shaun, IT's ALL YOUR FAULT! (Y)
thank you for the idea, mate (Y)
davedaveld
Ex. Club Member
thats interesting ideas ideas how much did the wing mirros set you back mate they look bang tidy :laugh:
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peposhi
Once I win the Euromillions...
Erhem, door mirrors fwn
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peposhi
Once I win the Euromillions...
euro_micra
Matt :)
Do I spy new wing mirrors Peposhi?
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peposhi
Once I win the Euromillions...
Update:
Got a hold of E-series Pioneer speakers and decided to utilize them
Rear seat went in the attic and some work began.
Played around with some expanding foam. Filled the passenger side's compartment with it, but realized it will affect the low frequency. Trimmed it a bit left it as it is for now. Driver's side panels are covered with sound deadening like material and didn't not fill with foam
Side panel removed
Measurement taken
Wood frame cut
Trimmed the panel
Speaker frame upholstered
Speaker fitted. It's too big, but that's what I have so in future if I can get a set of 13's or 17's I can easy make and adapter to fit.
Fitted on panel
Ready to go
Moved the active sub from underneath the pass seat to the rear of the car. For now it's hanging as it is. Not much options to choose from.
And how it looks now
Sounds great, already working on getting an extra sub and amp. Looking for a slim line Pioneer.
Got a hold of E-series Pioneer speakers and decided to utilize them
Rear seat went in the attic and some work began.
Played around with some expanding foam. Filled the passenger side's compartment with it, but realized it will affect the low frequency. Trimmed it a bit left it as it is for now. Driver's side panels are covered with sound deadening like material and didn't not fill with foam
Side panel removed
Measurement taken
Wood frame cut
Trimmed the panel
Speaker frame upholstered
Speaker fitted. It's too big, but that's what I have so in future if I can get a set of 13's or 17's I can easy make and adapter to fit.
Fitted on panel
Ready to go
Moved the active sub from underneath the pass seat to the rear of the car. For now it's hanging as it is. Not much options to choose from.
And how it looks now
Sounds great, already working on getting an extra sub and amp. Looking for a slim line Pioneer.
OP
OP
peposhi
Once I win the Euromillions...
Yes, you got it right
When I gave up using(after 5 days actually) that wonderful LHD door mirrors I got from Taiwan, decided to do something about it and got a new set from a diff supplier. Difficult to fit though
love those, never seen them before?I would go nuts if I could go for these
What are they... like orinally? and where did you get them? I like!This is what's going to replace the side repeaters on the wings
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OP
peposhi
Once I win the Euromillions...
That's them, mate
http://www.ebay.ie/itm/Shark-Gills-...1?pt=UK_In_Car_Technology&hash=item27c137123d
Good quality, cheap enough if something goes wrong. Covered the space for wing repeaters, but had to fit them angled as they weren't wide enough when positioned horizontal.
You got pics of them fitted?
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