Lowering my ACR...

[drewsss]

So, was thinking about lowering my 2001 ACR by 1/2" or so. I was lucky enough to find that gold-plated tool needed for adjustment (still in the plastic wrapping in the back seat pocket).

Is there a good description somewhere of how I can lower this without screwing anything up?

http://i1124.photobucket.com/albums/l563/senorzee/Coil.jpg (http://s1124.photobucket.com/user/senorzee/media/Coil.jpg.html)

[WDW MKR]

Might want to start by cleaning things up and finding the source of that leak.

Lowering involves unloading the suspension and using the wrench by inserting the prong on the end into one of the holes found in the OD of the lower spring perch. Turn counterclockwise (referenced from looking up from the bottom of the shock body) to lower. Measure from the bottom of the frame rails to determine before/after ride height, only after jouncing the suspension and/or rolling the car back and forth. I like using slide plates on some homemade alignment pedestals so that I can keep the car in the air. You do not need to move the spring perch by 1/2" in order to lower the car 1/2"... less is more.

[drewsss]

Thanks for the info. Could be wrong, but I'm thinking that the leak you see is just water from the last car wash. Everything else looks pretty dry (although very dirty) in there.

It's actually up on jackstands now, so is that enough "unloading" of the suspension to start the turning operation? I should probably have some WD-40 handy, in case things don't feel like turning.

[WDW MKR]

Yes, that is considered unloaded. It's a good idea to first wipe things down, blow them off with compressed air, and even use a little WD40 before turning the perch. All of those threads are aluminum and typical road grit can grind things up.

On the leak, that is definitely not water. The Dynamics are notorious for leaking and you can see very obvious residue in that pic. The oil residue attracts dirt and you get the buildup.

[GTSACR]

I just lowered mine this past winter after getting my Dynamic suspension rebuilt. I also bought new rear springs because the factory springs are way over sprung. I highly suggest getting a set from Jon B. My rear coilovers are just about bottomed out I wrote the measurements down in the ACR suspension booklet just cant remember off the top of my head. I also had a custom alignment done right after so my R888's dont wear uneven

[Bill Pemberton]

Would bet money the shocks are leaking !! Those babies were notorious for that and when you find out the cost of a rebuild ( with no guarantees ) , you might want to just do a new setup. Then you can worry about the lowering at that point.

Sincerely,
Bill Pemberton

[drewsss]

Thanks for the information everyone! Sounds like this may be my next project.

Hi Bill - what kind of alternate setup would you recommend?

[Bill Pemberton]

Would suggest you chat with Mr. Mark Jorgensen, suspension guru extraordinaire, though he hates it when I talk him up. Been racing with him for 30 years and he is an acknowledged expert around the Country , but he gets po'd when I tell people that. He has a bit of the Dan Cragin mystique, great guys in many areas, but they don't toot their own horns!!

mjorgensen@woodhouse.com

Same toll free as me --1-800-889-1893

[drewsss]

Would suggest you chat with Mr. Mark Jorgensen, suspension guru extraordinaire, though he hates it when I talk him up. Been racing with him for 30 years and he is an acknowledged expert around the Country , but he gets po'd when I tell people that. He has a bit of the Dan Cragin mystique, great guys in many areas, but they don't toot their own horns!!

mjorgensen@woodhouse.com

Same toll free as me --1-800-889-1893

Bill - thanks again. I will be happy to p*ss him off. :)

[Bill Pemberton]

Ha, ha --- great answer.

[AZTVR]

Thanks for the information everyone! Sounds like this may be my next project?

I would recommend at least taking the shocks off and verify that they have their gas charge still. Better yet to dyno them. I had my rears rebuilt when I first got the car due to leaks and a loose shaft on one; but, didn't touch the fronts since they had no signs of leaking. A few years later I had the dampers off and noticed that 3 out of 4 did not try to keep the shaft extended without the spring in place. I sent them in to rebuild and found that the front dampers' cylinders were scored due to being operated without a gas charge. (According to the rebuild guy.) I did like the Dynamics shocks (with the recommended softer rear springs) when they were working good; but, I decided to replace instead of rebuild the second time. I replaced with KW Variant 2; but, didn't really care for the ride with them. Not bad; just not able to adjust them enough to meet my preference.

[Bill Pemberton]

This goes under the why bother clarification, since the shocks are likely 15 years old, why spend money fixing a shock that is notorious for problems. If you are going to spend the bucks , get a new set so that is something you don't have to worry about for quite awhile into the future - just my personal opinion.

[sparkrn]

This goes under the why bother clarification, since the shocks are likely 15 years old, why spend money fixing a shock that is notorious for problems. If you are going to spend the bucks , get a new set so that is something you don't have to worry about for quite awhile into the future - just my personal opinion.

Like what, the konis that other gen 2 acr cars had. Or did you have something else in mind?

[Bill Pemberton]

For the price a set costs, there are a lot of options , even moving up to something like an MCS setup for a bit more ---- would call Mark J. and get his input, he is a wizard at suspensions.

[GTSACR]

I spent 600 Canadian dollars getting my dynamic shocks rebuilt by a guy that used to work at Dynamic suspension. Whats a new set of coil overs 3 or 4 grand.

[Bill Pemberton]

Have seen them go in a short period and also have had customers get 3 rebuilt and a 4th not be rebuildable ( we have been in that situation) - buyer beware.

[XSnake]

I would also change the rear spring rate down to ablout 800lbs while you have them apart getting them rebuilt. No need for an 1100lb rear spring on a non aero car