Adjusting ride height on shock works coilovers

[kanos.79]

Hi Brett, I just tried to change the ride height . But i had a lot of difficulty
undoing the locking nut. Any tips for loosing the locking nut.
Any help would be great .

[gtxxr6]

put a deep 1/2 drive socket i think 21 or 22 or something over the end of the supplied wrench and then use a 1/2 inch extension on the socket to lengthen the handle
just make sure its square otherwise you will strip the wrench

[Shockworks]

Originally Posted by kanos.79

Hi Brett, I just tried to change the ride height . But i had a lot of difficulty
undoing the locking nut. Any tips for loosing the locking nut.
Any help would be great .

Hi,
Sorry for the delay as I have missed a couple of posts.
We make sure the lock nuts are very tight so they do not come loose.

You can also use a hammer on the C spanner to unlock and to tighten the nuts. Don't be afraid to give them a good whack!!

Cheers

[kanos.79]

Thanks Brett I will give a go.

[Grum]

Always make sure the threaded area on the strut is clean before adjusting. Any road grime/dirt/small stones will make it harder to adjust and can damage the thread. A squirt of silicone/crc/wd40 sprayed on the thread will help too.

[scottyg938]

does anyone know how much lower these car go than the out of the box setting?
I've got them in my BA and I want them a little lower than how they came set but there doesn't seem to be much more travel left in the rear shocks

[Shockworks]

Originally Posted by scottyg938

does anyone know how much lower these car go than the out of the box setting?
I've got them in my BA and I want them a little lower than how they came set but there doesn't seem to be much more travel left in the rear shocks

Hey Scott,
You can adjust the front dampers by loosening the Lock nut at the lower mount. Then use a C spanner to grab the spring seat nut and turn down to lower the heights. The rear spring perch has to be removed and if you want to go lower than the lowest setting at the perch, you can remove the lock nut and screw the spring seat down to the end of the thread. We do limit the amount the car can be lowered as the ride and handling suffer quite a lot when too low. We set the heights at what we fell to be the best compromise.
Cheers
Brett

[scottyg938]

That all seems fine but there only seems to be about an inch of travel left in the rear shocks on the current hight setting, does this sound normal?

[Shockworks]

Originally Posted by scottyg938

That all seems fine but there only seems to be about an inch of travel left in the rear shocks on the current hight setting, does this sound normal?

Hi Scotty
Yes that is normal. We set the rear perch so we have some clearance from the rear bumper. The car will lower more than the one inch left due to the leverage ratio as the spring is inboard on the lower arm. We try not to lower the rear too much more or the car will sit on the bumper, which gives you kick off through impacts and reduce the squat and traction.
Cheers
Brett

[scottyg938]

Originally Posted by Shockworks

Hi Scotty
Yes that is normal. We set the rear perch so we have some clearance from the rear bumper. The car will lower more than the one inch left due to the leverage ratio as the spring is inboard on the lower arm. We try not to lower the rear too much more or the car will sit on the bumper, which gives you kick off through impacts and reduce the squat and traction.
Cheers
Brett

okay, How much would be the most you'd recommend to lower it, I'm thinking of going about 20-25mm all around so that the wheel arch basically sits level with the top of the tyres.

thanks

[Shockworks]

Originally Posted by scottyg938

okay, How much would be the most you'd recommend to lower it, I'm thinking of going about 20-25mm all around so that the wheel arch basically sits level with the top of the tyres.

thanks

Hi Scotty,
If you are thinking of going 20-25mm lower than what we have set for you, the car will not have the same level of grip and the ride will be effected. You will start to get quicker you changes which can upset the car mid corner mate. I would not go any lower then 340mm from hub to guard.
Cheers
Brett

[scottyg938]

from what I've seen they're normally set at about 355mm from your standard setting? so that'd be 15mm drop which should be enough I think.

Thanks for your help, easily the best after sales service I've had from anyone, keep up the awesome work!

bit of feedback from the fitter too, Craig from southern diffs in Canberra ordered them and fitted them for me, he also said you were great to deal with and that you've got an awesome product

[FGX-302]

Hi Brett,
how much would a full set shocks n springs set me back for a FGX XR8?
Also what will your setup handle like in comparison to the R-SPEC factory setup?
Looking to drop the ride height a good 20-25mm.
Cheers

[Shockworks]

Originally Posted by FGX-302

Hi Brett,
how much would a full set shocks n springs set me back for a FGX XR8?
Also what will your setup handle like in comparison to the R-SPEC factory setup?
Looking to drop the ride height a good 20-25mm.
Cheers

Hey FGX,
The full adjustable kit is still $2000 for the remainder of our Ford stock. This will have to increase in the coming months due to the Aussie dollar falling so much.
While the R Spec was a good improvement over the standard GT suspension, we still have a few limitations in regards to spring rates and damper valving design with the production dampers.
The Shockworks kit includes the spring rates and revised damping forces that was not available to us at the time. The dampers are 12 stage adjustable for damping forces and the rear dampers are inverted which allows you to adjust the dampers at the lower mount and saves some weight on the unsprung mass.
We were able to achieve a much higher level of stability with better balance and response.
Cheers
Brett

[FGX-302]

Originally Posted by Shockworks

Hey FGX,
The full adjustable kit is still $2000 for the remainder of our Ford stock. This will have to increase in the coming months due to the Aussie dollar falling so much.
While the R Spec was a good improvement over the standard GT suspension, we still have a few limitations in regards to spring rates and damper valving design with the production dampers.
The Shockworks kit includes the spring rates and revised damping forces that was not available to us at the time. The dampers are 12 stage adjustable for damping forces and the rear dampers are inverted which allows you to adjust the dampers at the lower mount and saves some weight on the unsprung mass.
We were able to achieve a much higher level of stability with better balance and response.
Cheers
Brett

Thanks mate.. Do use have a lesser grade kit as I'm only really wanting to lower my XR8 while retaining a good ride. I don't really need all the adjustment as it will probly never hit the track.
Cheers

[ratter]

Shockworks also have OEM style damper kit, it is valved similar to the adjustable coil overs when set on the softest setting but damping is not adjustable, they also rely on the standard springs to be used, I have them in my wifes G6ET and the ride has improved immensely, but standard ride height is maintained so may not suit you.

[FGX-302]

Originally Posted by ratter

Shockworks also have OEM style damper kit, it is valved similar to the adjustable coil overs when set on the softest setting but damping is not adjustable, they also rely on the standard springs to be used, I have them in my wifes G6ET and the ride has improved immensely, but standard ride height is maintained so may not suit you.

Thanks mate but no not for me, I want mine probably 30mm lower. Would springs only be ok?

[ratter]

many people do just springs, but dampers should match springs for things to work correctly