Free Lowering with factory setting VS. GRP lowering kit

[lynchy73]

I did the free lowering (I paid a shop, so wasn’t actually free) hack today (as detailed by the OP). I can confirm my Sport Suspension I4 (China version), also had the circlips in the highest position, front and rear. After moving the circlips to the lowest position, you do get a noticeable drop in ride height. Unfortunately I didn’t measure it before, but will measure it when I get a chance.

Together with 12mm spacers, the stance is much better than standard IMO. Any reduction in ride height seems to bring the rear wheels inwards, the rear could easily be pushed out another 3mm or so, to better match the fronts, but I’m splitting hairs TBH, it’s looking great as is

 

[VL3X]

I did the free lowering (I paid a shop, so wasn’t actually free) hack today (as detailed by the OP). I can confirm my Sport Suspension I4 (China version), also had the circlips in the highest position, front and rear. After moving the circlips to the lowest position, you do get a noticeable drop in ride height. Unfortunately I didn’t measure it before, but will measure it when I get a chance.

Together with 12mm spacers, the stance is much better than standard IMO. Any reduction in ride height seems to bring the rear wheels inwards, the rear could easily be pushed out another 3mm or so, to better match the fronts, but I’m splitting hairs TBH, it’s looking great as is

Ride quality about the same?

 

[lynchy73]

Ride quality about the same?

Can’t notice any difference in ride quality. It was already firm and a little too hard on crap roads, it’s still the same IMO.

Spacers are supposed to slightly soften the ride and I think I noticed that, but it could be in my head.

2 old pics before 12mm spacers + suspension drop and 2 after.

 

[CarGuy44]

Watch out for extra stone chips with the wider wheel spacer offset, unless you have PPF.

 

[allenyao09]

AHHHH plans ruined! Good to know before I pulled it all apart.

Same here lol. 10 mm drop looks good enough to me. So sad the trick doesn't work on V6 models

 

[Rupes]

One time, when I was 17, I took my Chevy Camaro to a shop to have it lowered. "Why put on lowering springs," the shady shop owner asked me, "when we could just heat the coils?"

If you're looking for another "free lowering" along with a squeaky, floaty, and unsafe suspension, I highly recommend it.

 

[Robbierob]

Great to know that the stock height is adjustable!

Just so everyone is clear, 10mm change on the shock is more that 10mm at the wheel. You would need to measure the lower control arm and do the ratio to get the exact change.

That ride height looks so much better though, like it looks in the configurator.

Is the height adjustment also possible for the tour suspension on a V6?

 

[CHEESE]

One time, when I was 17, I took my Chevy Camaro to a shop to have it lowered. "Why put on lowering springs," the shady shop owner asked me, "when we could just heat the coils?"

If you're looking for another "free lowering" along with a squeaky, floaty, and unsafe suspension, I highly recommend it.

Heat and compress the coils? Sir, in my neck of the woods we just cut the springs down.

 

[Rupes]

Heat and compress the coils? Sir, in my neck of the woods we just cut the springs down.

This would fall one step below that (also terrible) idea.

 

[lynchy73]

Is the height adjustment also possible for the tour suspension on a V6?

No not possible, or at least not to the same extent. Sport I4 has all shocks set to highest position on the shocks, so there is 10mm movement of the circlip available. I believe that is not the case for the V6.

 

[slotus]

One time, when I was 17, I took my Chevy Camaro to a shop to have it lowered. "Why put on lowering springs," the shady shop owner asked me, "when we could just heat the coils?"

If you're looking for another "free lowering" along with a squeaky, floaty, and unsafe suspension, I highly recommend it.

You sir, learned the wrong lesson from that mistake.

 

[Livert]

I did the free lowering (I paid a shop, so wasn’t actually free) hack today (as detailed by the OP). I can confirm my Sport Suspension I4 (China version), also had the circlips in the highest position, front and rear. After moving the circlips to the lowest position, you do get a noticeable drop in ride height. Unfortunately I didn’t measure it before, but will measure it when I get a chance.

Together with 12mm spacers, the stance is much better than standard IMO. Any reduction in ride height seems to bring the rear wheels inwards, the rear could easily be pushed out another 3mm or so, to better match the fronts, but I’m splitting hairs TBH, it’s looking great as is

I did the free lowering (I paid a shop, so wasn’t actually free) hack today (as detailed by the OP). I can confirm my Sport Suspension I4 (China version), also had the circlips in the highest position, front and rear. After moving the circlips to the lowest position, you do get a noticeable drop in ride height. Unfortunately I didn’t measure it before, but will measure it when I get a chance.

Together with 12mm spacers, the stance is much better than standard IMO. Any reduction in ride height seems to bring the rear wheels inwards, the rear could easily be pushed out another 3mm or so, to better match the fronts, but I’m splitting hairs TBH, it’s looking great as is

Looks great! Is this with 12mm spacers all around or just the fronts? Where did you source your spacers?