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Which lowering springs?

FabiaTDi

By FabiaTDi
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FabiaTDi Experienced

FabiaTDi

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Thinking of lowering the Fabia by a small amount to compliment the new wheels, reduce the body roll slightly and get a more "sporty" stance.

Have been speaking to AMD about progressively wound H&R springs. They reckon Eibach are too firm.

The thing is I dont want to spoil the ride! :(

I'd rather not change the dampers as well at the moment, so has anyone had good results from changing just the springs?

Will using uprated springs cause damage to standard dampers?

Any views welcome from Octavia owners very welcome too!

Thanks,

Matthew.:cheers:

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Speedy G Enthusiast

Speedy G

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I'm looking at neuspeed springs (sofsport), which don't lower the car that much, and koni adjustable struts. I have an Octavia, but am considering just using the Golf stuff. Is there a vw equivalent to the Fabia?

Speedy G

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FabiaTDi Experienced

FabiaTDi

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Originally posted by Speedy G in this post

I'm looking at neuspeed springs (sofsport), which don't lower the car that much, and koni adjustable struts. I have an Octavia, but am considering just using the Golf stuff. Is there a vw equivalent to the Fabia?

Speedy G

I've heard good things about Neuspeed, but they seem to be more popular in the USA.

I'm not sure if Polo items would be suitable for the Fabia as the suspension set up is different. I'd only consider using springs specially developed for the Fabia.

Didnt know Skodas were available in Columbia!!:cool:

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Dmac1969vRS Proficient

Dmac1969vRS

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FabiaTdi

I would go for the Fabia only springs too , I was just answering speedy's question of which VW was the Fabia's 'sister' , which is indeed the new Polo mk5..... although there is no '16V' version so far , and no GTi either (has to be the nicest looking Polo ever made , the Mk4 GTi) , so I'd doubt if there are any sort of lowering kits around for that car yet. The Fabia of course got the 'new Polo' platform 2 years before the VW car came out , so there should be a good choice of suspension upgrades availible by now.

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fab16v Experienced

fab16v

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Well you'll be able to see the results of the Pi springs for yourself soon matey. The only problem I've found with them is they can be a bit harsh at times and the front bounces a bit over certain bumps at motorway speeds.

Was told by germancarcompany that if you cut down the front bump stops it will cure the bounce, but just can't be bothered to strip the front shocks out again!

Next job is a set of FK coilovers. Need to find a new stockist for them as apparantly gcc has gone bust! Did have a quote off them for 550 quid for coilovers, dropping the car upto 50mm and fully adjustable ride settings.

Graeme

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FabiaTDi Experienced

FabiaTDi

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Hi Graeme,

Yes i was hoping to get a good look at your springs at the RR day but the trouble is once I get an idea in my head I start to get impatient! :D

Are the PI springs progressively rated?

I've been told these type of springs are better as they retain a good ride quality while at the same time reducing body roll.

So it seems to be H&R/Eibach or PI then..

Looks better lower dont you think??!! (See attached) Perhaps a bit OTT! Ha ha!:D:cool:

66.attach

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fab16v Experienced

fab16v

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I know the feeling about getting impatient, but funds are beginning to dry out so I best calm down for a bit! :D

The Pi's are progressively rated springs and aren't too bad driving around normally. Once on an open road though, the progressive nature turns it into a good old corner muncher! :p

A mate of mine has a Tiger kit car and we went for a blast together one day. He was extremely impressed that he couldn't shake me off in the twisties! He did dissapear once the road straightened out though! 180bhp at the wheels in a piece of fiberglass doesn't hang around! :eek:

Yours looks nice and low in the piccie there. Amazing what photoshop can do! he he. ;)

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FabiaTDi Experienced

FabiaTDi

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Originally posted by Dmac1969vRS in this post

Fabia TDi

That photoshop pic looks really nice , are you going to go for such a slamming then? Make sure you remember the speedbumps!

Maybe a bit too low :D

Only going for a very subtle amount, about 30mm maximum. :cheers:

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TaviaRS Mentor

TaviaRS

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get a KW Variant 1 kit. Shocks and springs, height is adjustable on the car. TUV approved drop of between 35 and 65mm, its up to you. Play around 'til you get it how you want it. See suspension group buy thread if interested.

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FabiaTDi Experienced

FabiaTDi

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Well been talking to Alex at AMD about the H&R springs...

He reckons I will have to get my wheel alignment checked as well if i change the springs, as the suspension geometry will change slightly.

I cant afford the KW coil over kit at the moment. Maybe in the future. :D

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FabiaTDi Experienced

FabiaTDi

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Originally posted by TaviaRS in this post

Make sure they replace any stretch bolts which they loosen (assuming the front end of a Fabia is similar to the Octavia). :(

Im not sure what stretch bolts are. Can anyone tell me?

Also I'm not sure if the bump stops will need to be uprated, although I hope AMD will be able to tell me.

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TaviaRS Mentor

TaviaRS

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Stretch bolts are ones which are only meant to be used once, sort of like locking nuts.

The Octavia has them on the front subframe and when you make an adjustment (to I think its the camber) you need to replace the bolts.

I have had this done on mine by a certain company who shall remain nameless, I asked if the bolts had been change. I got the answer "no, we are experts and know what we are doing. We know just how much we can release them". I then needed to get it done again due to a second change to the suspension. Went to the same place and we went through the same question and answer. Like a foll I didn't insist. Had some new tyres fitted and 2 weeks later went to the Ring. Came back with the inside of my osf tyre shredded :( It had only done 3,500 miles. I spoke to said company and got the reply "nothing to do with us, we can redo it and charge you" :mad:

Went to another very reputable place, got it checked, the subframe bolts had come loose and the car had gone completely out of alignment. Well, that cost me 2 new front tyres at

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FabiaTDi Experienced

FabiaTDi

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Thanks for the info Tavia RS,

I hope the company you had problems with wasn't AMD! :(

Are they likely to have new stretch bolts available for the job? Considering they are Skoda/VW specialists I would hope they know what they are doing.

I shall certainly be asking them lots of questions!!

:cheers:

Matthew.

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devonutopia Grand Master

devonutopia

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This is getting me a little concerned... :(

If I get these eibach lowering springs / kit, whatever they're called, am I going to have to get extra work done to the Fabia to allow them to fit? I don't want to have to start fiddling with anything else besides taking the old springs off, and the new ones on.

Cheers

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FabiaTDi Experienced

FabiaTDi

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Jason,

You might be able to get away with just changing the springs and not doing anything else.

The reason why i'm also getting the wheel alignment checked etc is that i'd rather pay a bit extra to know that the car has been set up properly. I dont know very much about this, but from what i've read and been told its important to do it.

I think i'll get in touch with fab16v to see if any adjustments were made to his car when he had the Pi springs fitted.

Oh well things are never simple are they? :D

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ncarring Mentor

ncarring

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Jason,

On a car with McPherson struts and coil springs, changing the springs alone is a fairly major job. On the front in particular it involves dismantling most of the suspension and re-assembling. If you change the spring length the camber in particular is bound to change, and camber change will potentially affect caster and toe-in. An alignment check afterwards is only sensible.

Just 2p worth...

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