[MidLifeZ]

As some of you may know I put on new wheels recently which are 18" front and 19" rear.

With the tires I got the height of the wheels & tires is very close to the 17" front Saturn wheels I had on prior but still a bit taller..

Prior to this I had replaced the shocks all around (rears were leaking) with SPAX coilovers. Rear springs are OEM that came with the car from factory. Fronts I put on, as suggested here by another member who had the same SPAX setup, with Eibach springs (8" if I recall). The reason was there was no way with the SPAX to get the factory springs to compress enough to use them due to the SPAX being coilovers...

So.. fast forward, new wheels and tires are on, I have adjusted the front shocks adjustment collar so it very close to as low as it can go and still need to raise the front end around 1/4" to 1/2". I adjusted the height by screwing the collars down toward the ground...

Any suggestions on how to do this?

I was thinking maybe putting a rubber bushing between the spring and the shock at the bottom maybe?

The tires only rub slightly at pretty damned close to full lock, which is only an issue when parking. Reason for raising is it A. It simply looks too low to me and B. reduce rubbing of front spoiler on driveway.

Here is a pic..

THANKS!

 

[jfitz981]

Just need to say the car looks really awesome with the new wheels!

 

[lcf_guy]

If you aren't rubbing the wheel well on bumps, just lose the front black spoiler. I couldn't get out my driveway forward until I took mine off.

 

[MidLifeZ]

If you aren't rubbing the wheel well on bumps, just lose the front black spoiler. I couldn't get out my driveway forward until I took mine off.

That is a solution but would prefer to raise the front end a bit to compensate. Besides rubbing on driveway it is still lower than I would prefer in the front..

Would my solution solve?

 

[Gallagher]

I know! Trade me your too low spax set up for my low mileage stock stuff!!!

 

[lotus4s]

Kenny,
I'm not quite following you here. You said you adjusted the collars as low as they will go, but you want it higher? Why not raise the collar?

Jim

 

[Vulcan Grey]

I'm with Jim... I don't understand why it sounds like you are saying your shocks work backwards from everyone else's.

Here's my old front SPAX with stock Lotus springs.

In this case the lower spring perch and lock nuts are all the way at the bottom, giving lowest possible ride height. In your case, your Eibach springs are probably much shorter than the stock Lotus springs. So you probably would need to RAISE your spring perches in order to get the correct ride height.

It's easier to see with the rear shocks. If I raise the cup that is below the spring, then that jacks the body up higher.

If I lower the spring perch cup, then that lowers the body.

I now have JRZ shocks with Eibach 8" 300lbf/in springs in the front, and I did have to raise the lower perches quite a bit (and pre-load the springs) in order to get the front ride height high enough to be able to drive around without scraping.

 

[MidLifeZ]

AH! I will give that a shot, admittedly the instructions with the SPAX are not exactly stellar...

THANKS!

 

[CarSalesman]

Sounds like you will be able to get it adjusted. The Esprit handles best with the ride height set exactly as per the book. It puts the suspension arms in the proper position. Resist the temptation to lower than Esprit. Been there, done that. You knew your car was lower already. You'll be pleasantly surprised with the handling at the stock ride height. Of course with a ride height change you'll also be adjusting camber, caster, and toe. Doing it right can take several hours, and you might have to order some shims. Its worth the effort.

The measurement is from the floor, so if your wheels/tires are non-standard size you will need to adjust the measurement to compensate. Whatever the radius of your tire tread is, versus the radius of the stock tires, adjust the measurement for that difference.

 

[Turbo R]

Wow...that picture looks smoking HOT!
I know my post won't help, but I think you could always...
Re-do your driveway entrance concrete to a less severe angle and lower the back!

Roy

 

[Vulcan Grey]

At this ride height, my front wheels rubbed on everything. If I turned the wheels even a few degrees, or went over a small bump, they rubbed. I couldn't get out of my cul-de-sac without scraping badly, and I had to adjust the shocks here where it was parked, since I couldn't get back up my driveway.

I finally ended up only 2mm lower than stock to keep from rubbing on everything.

Here's what I ended up with, which didn't rub.

 

[Tremluf]

Why does the US car sit 1.5 inches higher than the ROW car?

I have an 87 US spec G body HCI that I would like to lower the front wheel gaps. I have looked at the parts/service manual and can not see a picture that shows both the US and ROW car as being different.

 

[2Many Cars]

The higher ride height was usually done to meet US bumper height requirements. Unfortunately a common solution used by a number of manufacturers including even Porsche. The difference is usually in the springs used with the US versions being a bit taller, at least that was the case on the 993.

 

[carbuff]

US Stevens cars have a spacer in back that increases 'rake'.



This provides downforce while saving the weight of a WING! :grin2:

 

[Tremluf]

The higher ride height was usually done to meet US bumper height requirements. Unfortunately a common solution used by a number of manufacturers including even Porsche. The difference is usually in the springs used with the US versions being a bit taller, at least that was the case on the 993.

This would make me believe there is a Euro spring and a US spring.

But, is this the case?

 

[2Many Cars]

This would make me believe there is a Euro spring and a US spring.

But, is this the case?

Don't know for the Lotus but it could be a different spring or even a spacer of some sort. In the case of the 993 it was the springs that were different and they were identified by different colored paint marks on the spring.

 

[snowrx]

I've got a set of SPAX on the shelf, but they did not come with the perches to adapt the threaded shock body to the Lotus springs. Any one know where I can find set? Seems like generic item, but I always lose interest in the search before I find any....

Never mind I made a set instead

 

[wilkrod]

My Solution

Hi all,
The front springs are too long. I went with Eibach 2.5" dia. Made a new spring perch to fit the new spring O.D., added Eibach rotary bearing. Still working on the bottom shock bushings as we speak.
Regards
Jeff

 

[Erik L]

Hey Jeff

How did you make the top mount? Turn it out of billet or pipe and plate?
Looks great, love your attention to detail...want to make me a set?

Where did you purchase the SPAX with adjustable spring perch?

 

[wilkrod]

My Solution

Hi all,
The top mount is stock as the oem springs are 2.5" dia.
The new bottom mount is made from 6061 billett I machined on my new toy.
Springs are eibach 2.5" 10" length 225 lb.
The eibach rotary bearings are sweet, highly recomended.
I got the spax from JAE 20 years ago, just had to strip and repaint.
Let me know if any more questions.
Regards
Jeff