Lowering spring help

[metal-ste]

Hiya everyone. I was thinking of buying some lowering springs ( 40ml drop ) for my cally 16v. A couple of things tho , is it advisable to get some shocks at the same time? Dont want the ride to be to hard tho ( I'm gettin on a bit ) Also I've got 18" alloys with 37 or 38 offset, are they likely to rub ?

thanks for any help guys.

[Dan Willis]

Yes, shocks at the same time - or you may end up with a "see-saw" type ride. Very odd. Get adjustable shocks and you can fine-tune the ride. I use KONI as they are pretty good at everything. Bilstein shocks are another good option.

Wheel wise, yes if they are wider than 7.5inches wide you may get some rubbing (especially on a bumpy road). Not a lot you can do about that short of widening your front arches (rears will be fine) or replacing the wheels.

[Fostersice17]

Got Koni springs & dampers on mine (adjustable),dont buy springs without dampers,i did this once before and the car was like driving a trampoline....As for the wheels,gonna be very tight with 18's

[Chavtastic]

Make sure you're running 215/35/18, mine did not catch at all when lowered -35mm. But they did catch with a higher profile.

If your shocks are in good condition then they will be okay, but chances are they won't be at their best, so change them now while the struts are in bits anyway.

Try <a href="http://www.tuning.co.uk" target="_blank">www.tuning.co.uk</a>

[Rosh]

<!--QuoteBegin-Chavtastic+--><div class='quotetop'>(Chavtastic)</div><div class='quotemain'><!--QuoteEBegin-->Make sure you're running 215/35/18, mine did not catch at all when lowered -35mm. But they did catch with a higher profile.

If your shocks are in good condition then they will be okay, but chances are they won't be at their best, so change them now while the struts are in bits anyway.

Try <a href="http://www.tuning.co.uk" target="_blank">www.tuning.co.uk</a><!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

The major point to concider is the offset of the wheel. As the offset of your wheels is 37/38, you are likely to incur some scrubbing between the tyres and arches (as you're going to lower it 40mm).
In some cases, you might be lucky as they could sit and ride fine in the arches. How wide are you wheels?
Remember, a 42mm offset (minimum) is recommended for using aftermarket wheels and lowered, uprated suspension.
As a guide, Vauxhall wheels are ET 49

[dicky]

I dont know what offset my alloys are as i didnt fit them but there 18" Ikons on a 215/35 r18 and the car is lowerd 40mm.
And no rubbing as of yet.

But the ride is to hard so i may change back to std springs as its to impracticle.

I think daddy cool knows the offset as i belive they were his.

[Rosh]

<!--QuoteBegin-dicky+--><div class='quotetop'>(dicky)</div><div class='quotemain'><!--QuoteEBegin-->I dont know what offset my alloys are as i didnt fit them but there 18" Ikons on a 215/35 r18 and the car is lowerd 40mm.
And no rubbing as of yet.

But the ride is to hard so i may change back to std springs as its to impracticle.

I think daddy cool knows the offset as i belive they were his.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

Richard, you need adjustable shocks....

Do you really want to go back to standard spring height? It'll make the car look like it's on stilts.

[cockney16v]

i thought on calibra the off set could be any thing from 35 to 45

i run 18" and my off set is 38 no rubbing what so ever

[Rosh]

you're lucky. also depends on how wide your wheels are too as previously mentioned

[cockney16v]

8X18 runing on 215/35/18

[metal-ste]

Yeah thanks for the help, I'll probably get a full suspension kit.

I think my wheels are 7.5x18.