30mm lowering question - MINI2

Richard22b · #1 (**permalink**) May 30th, 2006, 01:35 PM

HI everyone
now this has probably been asked a few times but what the hell I'll ask it all again.

I am planning on lowering my car by 30mm on springs.

Will I need to change any other parts apart from the springs for it to be OK.

I believe the standard shocks will allow this drop.

Advice as always very welcome.

PS. the car is booked in tomorrow for the work to be done.

St00ge · #2 (**permalink**) May 30th, 2006, 01:38 PM

you don't have to do anything else

danb · #3 (**permalink**) May 30th, 2006, 01:38 PM

I fitted a set of eibachs this weekend, and yes you only need the springs themselves.

After doing the job, I would suggest - if you are at all mechanically/technically minded - to do the job yourself. It took just under an hour and a half to fit all four, and the only specialist tool you need is spring compressors (they could concievably be done without, but safter with some). You will of course need to have your tracking done after, I paid £35 for 4 wheel-alignment (most small garages only do 2 wheel)

St00ge · #4 (**permalink**) May 30th, 2006, 01:43 PM

you might want to have a look at this as well....

http://www.northamericanmotoring.com...ad.php?t=69497

Richard22b · #5 (**permalink**) May 30th, 2006, 01:45 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by danb

I fitted a set of eibachs this weekend, and yes you only need the springs themselves.

After doing the job, I would suggest - if you are at all mechanically/technically minded - to do the job yourself. It took just under an hour and a half to fit all four, and the only specialist tool you need is spring compressors (they could concievably be done without, but safter with some). You will of course need to have your tracking done after, I paid £35 for 4 wheel-alignment (most small garages only do 2 wheel)

I would try it myself but don't have the tools to do it.
Its costing me about £130 to get it done.

danb · #6 (**permalink**) May 30th, 2006, 01:54 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by Richard22b

I would try it myself but don't have the tools to do it.
Its costing me about £130 to get it done.

thats a fortune, I had quotes of around £70

You don't need many tools, just what the standard DIYer has in the shed

Richard22b · #7 (**permalink**) May 30th, 2006, 01:57 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by danb

thats a fortune, I had quotes of around £70

You don't need many tools, just what the standard DIYer has in the shed

ok. its starting to sound like this should be my evening job tonight.

So what will i require to complete the task.

Plus any visuals on how to do it

danb · #8 (**permalink**) May 30th, 2006, 02:04 PM

I used this thread as a guide - although I found some of the socket sizes are wrong.

Basically you will need a socket set ranging from 13mm - 20mm, and preferably a breaker bar (long bar for sockets) to undo the tight ones.
An impact wrench is handy, but definately not a necessity

I used spring compressors while taking the old springs off - most tool hire shops have these (I paid £6 for Friday-Tuesday). If you are careful enough you won't need them, but I would suggest using them to be on the safe side. They are not needed to get the eibachs on if you have someone helping you.

Thats it I think

Oh and of course a jack

edit: and you need a 5mm allen key

Richard22b · #9 (**permalink**) May 30th, 2006, 02:13 PM

Well all looks good.
none of the pics on the instructions show on my machine.

do they on yours?

How important is a torque wrench.

thanks for all your info.

danb · #10 (**permalink**) May 30th, 2006, 02:21 PM

No, the pics don't work anymore unfortunately - I found everything was pretty self explanatory once we got the wheels off though

A torque wrench is good if you want to be precise when tightening the bolts back up, but as I didn't have the figures to hand I didn't bother using one, just went by what felt right.

Richard22b · #11 (**permalink**) May 30th, 2006, 02:24 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by danb

No, the pics don't work anymore unfortunately - I found everything was pretty self explanatory once we got the wheels off though

A torque wrench is good if you want to be precise when tightening the bolts back up, but as I didn't have the figures to hand I didn't bother using one, just went by what felt right.

OK sounds good.

If i don't have a spring compressor am I going to kill myself as odds are i will be doing this on my own.

St00ge · #12 (**permalink**) May 30th, 2006, 02:27 PM

just hire one....

RCMini · #13 (**permalink**) May 30th, 2006, 02:53 PM

I just lowered my mini two weeks ago using the proceedures that danb stated along with one from randy http://store.webbmotorsports.com/for...topic.php?t=13 I suggest to have two people when you do it. It makes it alot easier and faster.

Richard22b · #14 (**permalink**) May 30th, 2006, 03:02 PM

Just checked and can buy a spring compressor from halfords for £9.99 which seems a better price than £130 for the work to be done.

Think my haynes manual also has some bits on how to do it with pics (I hope)

RCMini · #15 (**permalink**) May 30th, 2006, 03:04 PM

I also had a bently service manual when changing out the springs. The only thing is that if you use a manual it is a little to indepth and really makes the job harder than it needs to be. If you have a manual use it for reference but find a couple good threads and just follow them.