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Mk3sceptreLuke
28 Posts |
 Posted - 08 Jul 2013 : 22:01:41
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Help people... I've been told of a couple of people on here ( Martin UMU and 1992 ) and need there help asap. Basically I've lowered my Mk3 sceptre (1975) 2'' all round. On the front I've used mk2escort 170lb springs and on the back 2''blocks universal to any Ford's. The back end is fine. It's just the front end is dodgy as fook, not safe and definatly not MOT'able because the weight of the car is the only thing holding them in place.
Basically I need to know the safest and best way to get a 2'' drop on the front, and need to know where to get the parts from. Weather it's these Sierra springs I've been told of by someone else on another forum or weather coilovers from other classics will fit.
I've been told by the same person about the Sierra springs that 'Martin UMU' and '1992' are the people to talk too. Or anyone else that has info for me.
Cheers people, Luke. |
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retro68
United Kingdom
70 Posts |
Posted - 08 Jul 2013 : 22:27:28
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Hi, I've recently been in touch with 'gaz shocks' and they said they can convert your original struts to coilovers with new springs but obviously it depends on budget, I hope this is of help,, Andy.
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Mk3sceptreLuke
28 Posts |
Posted - 08 Jul 2013 : 22:30:35
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| Yo Andy, cheers for the reply appreciate it. Did they say a price by any chance? And an estimated time it would take? As I have to spare legs I could send off :) cheers |
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retro68
United Kingdom
70 Posts |
Posted - 08 Jul 2013 : 22:47:11
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| Hi Luke, they quoted £135 per side for the coilover plus £22 per spring plus vat and carriage, cheers Andy. |
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UMU
United Kingdom
343 Posts |
Posted - 09 Jul 2013 : 07:46:53
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Morning Luke
Thanks for emailing me, sorry I havent been on here for a while.
To help you as much as poss, ill go and take some pics of my set up, front and rear.
Unfortunatly for you, I bought my fastback already lowered and on the front especially havent seen myths setup anywhere else.
On the front are a kind of coilover, they look almost identical to the standard struts, but have an external adjustable coil too. Id like to find out what they are, to replace them when they have worn out.
On the rear are lowering blocks.
My car has been lowered around 3-4" all the way around and as a result it can bottom out with people in the back, but has improved handling and looks (I think)
i intend to change mine to full air suspension, so it can go as low as I want and not bottom out
It would be good to see pics of yours.p
Photos to follow
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Mk3sceptreLuke
28 Posts |
Posted - 09 Jul 2013 : 10:06:07
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Cheers for the reply. My MOT is the end of this month, and I don't wanna put original springs back on coz it's hassel to then change again. I keep trying to put pictures up but can't figure it out lol.
Do you know of any other lowering springs that are safe and hook straight up? If not I'll just send my spare ones to gaz shocks :/ |
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arrocuda
United Kingdom
501 Posts |
Posted - 09 Jul 2013 : 10:07:27
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Hi Luke..... I've lowered my Rapier using Sierra lowering springs and found them to be exactly the same diameter as the original ones I took off. They fit into the spring keeps snugly and are a lot stiffer (as well as being shorter), than the original ones I removed.
Never heard of anyone attempting to use Escort ones before, so I suspect that therein lies the problem. The escort is a much lighter car and will no doubt have lesser duty springs than the Sierra.
Building the 'Mark II' fastback Rapier ('Arrocuda'). |
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Mk3sceptreLuke
28 Posts |
Posted - 09 Jul 2013 : 10:22:49
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| Cheers for your reply aswell. Is there any particular type of the Sierra spring? And also where can I purchase them from? And do they do a 2'' lower version?? Cheers |
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JPSH120
United Kingdom
1180 Posts |
Posted - 09 Jul 2013 : 10:52:50
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If you type "Hillman Hunter Spax" into the ebay search you should get some results including adjustable shocks for both front and rear.
Another option possibly?
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arrocuda
United Kingdom
501 Posts |
Posted - 09 Jul 2013 : 11:30:58
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AS Jason said.... Ebay is always worth a shot as old stock new ones are often sold on there. If you just want to buy them at OEM prices then you can get them here.....
http://www.europerformance.co.uk/pages/products/search_car/product_sub.mhtml?car=fordsierra;category=loweringsprings
As far as I'm aware there are no build differences through the range apart from maybe the Cosworth 4x4, but I'm not a Ford expert so stick with the standard models and you should be Ok.
If you are looking for a 2" drop you need -50mm springs. You can get a bigger drop than this but they might be harder to find. I acheived -96mm by using a combination of spring and a lower profile tyre in order to enhance the drop and minimise possible clearance issues when cornering.
On the rear axle, as Martyn (UMU) pointed out, you need to be careful that it doesn't bottom out when you have passengers or extra weight in the boot. Easiest way around this is to add an extra leaf to the spring set if it is a problem.
Building the 'Mark II' fastback Rapier ('Arrocuda'). |
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Mk3sceptreLuke
28 Posts |
Posted - 09 Jul 2013 : 13:21:02
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Right ok, so if I was to use these Sierra springs they'd be a definite pass for MOT and stay in place say if I was to change a wheel etc.
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Mk3sceptreLuke
28 Posts |
Posted - 09 Jul 2013 : 13:29:12
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| Can't seem to find just a front pair with 50mm drop.. |
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andyb
United Kingdom
367 Posts |
Posted - 09 Jul 2013 : 13:34:22
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Mk3sceptreluke
I have sorted mine by using rally mk2 escort rs springs rated at 175lb
with a free length of 11" which just fit without spring clamps (can press down by hand)
I think you may have mk1 rs sprimgs which are 9" free length which will be slack when fitted
Std rapier spring are 13" f/l unknown poundage (very soft prob 100lb )
mk2 rs 2000 std spring 130lb 11" f/l arch lip to floor 23"
mk2 rs2000 175lb spring 11" fl arch lip to floor 24"
the extra poundage giving a higher ride height
Gaz reconditioned the old struts for £168 pair inc return postage
I haven't driven it yet but I am sure it will be ok
happy to help with any info you may need to help you decide
sometimes nothing can be a real cool hand |
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arrocuda
United Kingdom
501 Posts |
Posted - 09 Jul 2013 : 13:37:23
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quote:
Originally posted by Mk3sceptreLuke
Right ok, so if I was to use these Sierra springs they'd be a definite pass for MOT and stay in place say if I was to change a wheel etc.
Yep..... the keeps hold them in place and even the ones that I bought which were the shortest I could find had to be compressed by about 20mm to wind the turret nut on. With -50mm springs they will be permanently compressed by about 40mm within the strut with no load on them. So even when the wheel is lifted off of the ground the springs are tight in the keeps.
Building the 'Mark II' fastback Rapier ('Arrocuda'). |
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Mk3sceptreLuke
28 Posts |
Posted - 09 Jul 2013 : 18:24:52
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Andyb.... I think you could be right about the 9''. Coz with the turret top screwed on there was plenty of slack in there. Do you know weather yours will pass the test with them ones (175lb)? Do they sit nicely in the cups?
And arrocuda... Thanks aswell, tryin to find them at -50mm is quite hard at the minute.probs my heap of **** phone is causing this lol. |
Edited by - Mk3sceptreLuke on 09 Jul 2013 18:26:20 |
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andyb
United Kingdom
367 Posts |
Posted - 09 Jul 2013 : 19:07:22
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They sit in the cups perfectly and would pass mot no problem
They are tight when off the car you only need to compress the spring a little to get the top cap and top mount
I will be fitting small lowering blocks to the rear with a ford axle with lsd
If your not in a rush I can let you know better in a few weeks when I finally get to
Drive it !
sometimes nothing can be a real cool hand |
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Topic |
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Help needed with lowering Mk3humber (UMU) (1992)
