I recently aquired the above.Previous owner said that he had new spax shockers fitted but car hadn't been set up.As i'm in Scotland,nowhere near any of the specialists is there a standard height from floor to say upper suspension mounts or body front and rear
Also I noticed that the rear springs are not concentric with the shockers.I assume there is a 'centering bush which fits above the spring adjusting nut threaded on to the shocker which must have been left out.Any help appreciated please.Charlie.
From the Assembly Guide*, and it's only a starting point:
CARS FITTED WITH ADJUSTABLE DAMPER PLATFORM
22
Cars fitted with adjustable damper platforms should be set to have a ride height of a minimum 75 mm under the sump with driver and passenger aboard. The rear of the car should then be adjusted to be approximately 15 mm higher than the front. This is achieved by lowering or raising the height of the platforms on the collar. Lower the collar to decrease ride height, raise the collars to increase ride height. At the end of adjustments ensure that the collars are locked together to avoid movement.
Can you add some photos of the shock absorbers and springs?
Jonathan
* Send me a Private Mail if you'd like a copy.
To get the rear 15mm higher than the front:
o you measure the front height from the floor to where the sideskin wraps under the chassis at the rear of the bottom wishbone
o you measure the rear height from the floor to the chassis in front of the rear wheel, where the A-frame bolt goes through the chassis
This should really all be done with a driver in the seat, or equivalent weight.
Re: the spring fitting, the collar on the bottom which screws up/down should have an inner ring on it with an extended section to stop the spring moving sideways - you can see the sort of thing here:
http://caterhamparts.co.uk/img/p/1822-1821-thickbox.jpg
Maybe your units have the adjuster ring on upside down? Either way, they are not safe to fit in that configuration.
Feel free to email pics of them and I can reply with examples of the fittings - I have a set of shocks on the garage shelf.. simonpa 'at' gmail.com
Ta for the reply,i'll take some pics.