...But it hasn't gone exactly to plan.
I bought some 35mm lowering springs for the front some time ago (thanks @Magpie42), and some rear 35mm springs for the back some time later from somewhere else.
The front springs went on perfectly, were captive and modestly lowered the car nicely. So no problems there.
When we went to fit the rears though, we ran into some problems. First, getting the existing springs out of the car was a pain, even with spring compressors, we got one side out with some persuasion, but the other side required us to cut the springs out with a grinder.
When we put the lowering springs in, we found they were way to short to be captive, but they sat fine with the car on the ground. I suspected they were previously cut but wasn't told about this. Since we had so much trouble getting the stock springs out and had to destroy one of them, we had to just crack on.
With the springs on the rear and the car put back on the ground, the rear was sitting way lower than the front. So yeah, they were cut. I'll probably need to get some new springs as these are just too short. The other problem was I was planning on using the stock Micra shocks, but with these bodged springs on the back now, they're at risk of bottoming out. I can get some Corsa B shocks which should hopefully sort that.
The other problem is the mechanism that adjusts the rear brakes depending on the load at the back (not sure what it's called). I did a hard brake test, the rear wheels locked up and the back went out, which has never happened before. I heard this can be fixed with some cable ties, is that right? Here's what the car looks like now (excuse the poor photo, my camera lens smashed at some point)
The front of the car is fine, I'm happy with it. I need to sort the back out though, so should I get some Corsa shocks and then think about lowering the front some more, and still have to work out the rear brakes. Or play it safe and look for some proper 35/40mm springs for the rear.
What do you guys think?
I bought some 35mm lowering springs for the front some time ago (thanks @Magpie42), and some rear 35mm springs for the back some time later from somewhere else.
The front springs went on perfectly, were captive and modestly lowered the car nicely. So no problems there.
When we went to fit the rears though, we ran into some problems. First, getting the existing springs out of the car was a pain, even with spring compressors, we got one side out with some persuasion, but the other side required us to cut the springs out with a grinder.
When we put the lowering springs in, we found they were way to short to be captive, but they sat fine with the car on the ground. I suspected they were previously cut but wasn't told about this. Since we had so much trouble getting the stock springs out and had to destroy one of them, we had to just crack on.
With the springs on the rear and the car put back on the ground, the rear was sitting way lower than the front. So yeah, they were cut. I'll probably need to get some new springs as these are just too short. The other problem was I was planning on using the stock Micra shocks, but with these bodged springs on the back now, they're at risk of bottoming out. I can get some Corsa B shocks which should hopefully sort that.
The other problem is the mechanism that adjusts the rear brakes depending on the load at the back (not sure what it's called). I did a hard brake test, the rear wheels locked up and the back went out, which has never happened before. I heard this can be fixed with some cable ties, is that right? Here's what the car looks like now (excuse the poor photo, my camera lens smashed at some point)
The front of the car is fine, I'm happy with it. I need to sort the back out though, so should I get some Corsa shocks and then think about lowering the front some more, and still have to work out the rear brakes. Or play it safe and look for some proper 35/40mm springs for the rear.
What do you guys think?
