NA6 Ride height issue - Just replaced shocks and springs

speed · Postby **speed** » Thu Mar 13, 2014 7:10 pm

Ok, so last weekend I changed from stock springs and shocks to some 2nd hand Bilsteins/King spring combo.
They came from a 93 Clubman NA8. The seller advised that the springs were slightly lower than standard.

I thought that the Clubmans were also slightly lower than standard anyways, so was expecting a 20-40mm drop.

My problem is that I've ended up with double the gap in the wheel arch. (Has gone from 30mm to 60mm all round) and now my car looks like an amphibious vehicle!
Currently runs 17 inch wheels which I'll be ditching for 15s.

When doing the job, I chose to unbolt the Lower Control Arms where they bolt to the chassis (centre ish of car not the wheel side) Both front and back.
I didn't take note of the settings on those offset bolt washer thingys as I'm yet to sort out a proper wheel alignment and currently have different tyres all round the car.

I did set them (offset washer thingys) with the arrow pointing upwards on all four corners. Could this affect ride height or have I stuffed something.
Nothing appears bent, bushes are good and everything is tight.

I never touched the big middle bolt on top of the shocks.

Was also led to believe that the NA8 suspension bolts into a NA6 and all is good. I know the NB setup would increase ride height but didn't think that the NA8 would.

Could really use some help. Thanks!

sailaholic · Postby **sailaholic** » Thu Mar 13, 2014 7:28 pm

Your right na6 to na8 should make no difference. Even nb to Na makes no difference if you swap complete units including the bit at the top holding the spring in.

Search the long bolt method for you next swap, will save the wheel alignment.

Can't help apart from that.

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speed · Postby **speed** » Fri Mar 14, 2014 6:23 pm

Thank you Sailaholic.
I'm aware of the long bolt method but my way was much faster. My car needed a wheel alignment anyway, so no big deal there.

Anybody know if I increase the negative camber using the adjustment in the lower control arms, will this lower the car some???
Surely it must, even if only slightly.