[newto914s]

I just installed an H&R cup kit, great kit I might add, but while I had it apart I thought it'd be a good idea to replace the ball joints, sway bar links, upper control arms, lower control arm bushing(huge pain in the A$$) and tie rod ends(not their yet).

The WIS says to torque the control arms with wheels on the ground, which I did, but I feel it's making the car even lower than the cut kit was designed for.
Right now I have 12.5" between the center of the hub and the wheel arch in the front on #4 pads and 18" rims.
Does this sound right?
If you have a cup kit can you chime in on what measurement you have between your hub and wheel well arch.
Thanks
Samson

 

[renault12ts]

I just installed an H&R cup kit, great kit I might add, but while I had it apart I thought it'd be a good idea to replace the ball joints, sway bar links, upper control arms, lower control arm bushing(huge pain in the A$$) and tie rod ends(not their yet).

The WIS says to torque the control arms with wheels on the ground, which I did, but I feel it's making the car even lower than the cut kit was designed for.
Right now I have 12.5" between the center of the hub and the wheel arch in the front on #4 pads and 18" rims.
Does this sound right?
If you have a cup kit can you chime in on what measurement you have between your hub and wheel well arch.
Thanks
Samson

12.5" is very low. Even when my springs were broken the ride height was 13.75". The top of the tyre was level with the arch, yours must be up inside the arch.

 

[newto914s]

Yes, my wheels are inside the arches. I'll post a pic later. I'm thinking the stock springs locate the front end. When the Control arms are torqued down it is to that stock spec.
Then when people install new springs the bushings from the control arms are no longer at rest and are infact under tension with the lowered. Counter balancing(addind a 1/2") the lowered springs adding to the ride height.
Since I used to H&R springs to locate my front end. I'm now lower than most would be.
Does that sound right?
I'm thinking I have to re install my stock springs, re-torque the UCA and LCAs to that spec, Then reinstall the H&R.
Please tell me I'm wrong before I redo all that work over again.

 

[renault12ts]

You torque the UCA and LCA with the car lowered to the ground, or a jack under the LCA. This way the car is sitting in the right position on the springs. Torquing the arms will not change the height.

 

[newto914s]

Torquing the arms will not change the height.

If torquing the arms will not change the height, why do they need to be torqued with the wheels on the ground?
I did all steps right(I think), but with the HR springs and now my car is crazy low. I'm just trying to figure out what I did wrong.

 

[renault12ts]

If torquing the arms will not change the height, why do they need to be torqued with the wheels on the ground?
I did all steps right(I think), but with the HR springs and now my car is crazy low. I'm just trying to figure out what I did wrong.

...because, you are tightening up the bushes at the point where they will normally be. Ride height is determined by the springs. When the car is sitting full weight on the springs, that's when you tighten all up. It reduces squeals etc from the suspension.

 

[newto914s]

So that's what I'm looking at 12.5" from hub to wheel. Right, suspension speal, that makes sense. Thanks for talking me out of redoing everything.
So does 4" of ground clearance in the front sound right for H&Rs on 18" wheels?

 

[renault12ts]

So that's what I'm looking at 12.5" from hub to wheel. Right, suspension speal, that makes sense. Thanks for talking me out of redoing everything.
So does 4" of ground clearance in the front sound right for H&Rs on 18" wheels?

The size of the wheels is irrelevant. I have 16" wheels. But if you and I have the correct tyres fitted for the size of wheel then both of us will have the same height of tyre.

You have lowered the car, so 4" is probably about right. Don't take speed bumps too quickly though.

 

[BADwayz]

So that's what I'm looking at 12.5" from hub to wheel. Right, suspension speal, that makes sense. Thanks for talking me out of redoing everything.
So does 4" of ground clearance in the front sound right for H&Rs on 18" wheels?

This is too low for you? Looks like you have mountains of clearance there!

Here is a pic I have of that same (exact) kit you now own, on my old car. The wheels are 19's though, and it has the same #4 spring pads installed.

And on stock W211 17's

 

[newto914s]

Thanks for chiming in Badways. I love the kit, thanks. I guess I'm just worried about my workmanship. I changed a lot of stuff, I was expecting it to be a little higher when done, and so I feel I messed something up. If not, and it looks like it should than great. Double bonus score!
I'll snap a few more pics and if anyone else has results they'd like to share awesome, but I'll consider the job done. Tie rods,new rubber, and alignment, next and enjoy.

 

[gsmcintyre]

Don't know what the standard drop is for that set of springs, but that looks pretty slammed. I want mine a little lower, but not that much. How is the ride? Had any problems with it bottoming out?

Cheers -- Greg
2000 E320 Sedan - Brilliant Silver
Posted from my iPhone!

 

[newto914s]

I think it's 1.5 to 2" depending on the touring or sport set. I agree, slammed, after a little more looking I thing I messed something up, cause I think my car looks lower that Badways. The ride is fine, not to hard at all, but bottoming out is my main concern. I bottomed out a couple times hard before the swap and now I'm an inch lower. Their are a lot of vital organs right up front. Intercooler(I have a diesel) radiator support(that can push back stopping the fan, causing the screw to strip out of the water pump, requiring a new pump and radiator from the contact).
I don't have a great before, but here are a few afters. The rear looks perfect to me, and I think because the only thing I changed was the shock and springs.
The last picture was before, sorry it's so bad.

 

[gsmcintyre]

How did it sit prior to the spring swap? Was the front lower than the back? I noticed you mention a #4 pads. Did you make any changes to the pads?

Cheers -- Greg

 

[BADwayz]

Maybe being a deisel is the issue? Don't know if they are front front heavy than the petrol motors? Id also try changing the pads to #5 front and #3 or 4 rear.

 

[newto914s]

gsmcintyre-yes the front was lower than the back before the swap. I think it was stock springs but the PO installed KYB shocks. The back was mile high on the stock springs and what look like the original sachs dampers. No pads changes. #4 all around.

BADwayz-I was thinking it might be because of the extra diesel weight, but after checking edmunds.com I don't see how that can be. Those springs, I'm guessing, would have worked with the E430 and they show it weighing about 10lbs more than the diesel, 3702 to 3691 respectively.

I put the stock springs back on and I'm now sitting at 13.75." A 1/4" higher than before I changed the front end. So I guess the bushings don't play a part in ride height.
Here is a pic of the stock and H&R front sitting in the #4 spring pad

 

[gsmcintyre]

The height of the spring and pad really don't tell you much in-and-of themselves. The spring rates of the two springs are inevitably different. Springs often have varied rates such that they are softer under low load (soft ride) and harder under heavier load (better handling when very bumpy or sharp turns).

How does it look with the stock springs now that you've changed out all the other stuff?

Cheers -- Greg