I've had my AWD lowered with Kings springs (30mm drop). It was done when I originally had the car on the stock 16" tyres. After lowering I thought the ride was off, skips over bumps.

I am not worried about the harsh ride, rather more concerned about the way the suspension skips over bumps and generally feels unstable on rough surfaces . Since I have put 18" tyres on, the harshness is worse. Yes I know low profile tyres kill ride comfort.

Those that have lowered their AWD's how is your ride?

Apparently Monroe have GT shocks which have been designed to work with lowered King springs but are not available for the Magna, only Falcon and Commodores.

Rear camber seems to be around the -1.5 degree mark. Is it worth trying to adjust the rear camber?

I am after some ideas such as changing bump stops etc. I don't really want to take it to Pedders, but I may just have to do that. But before I do, I would like to be armed with some info, to help me with my ignorance with suspension geometry.

Regards

Craig

Speak with zero (Al)...he's done all that you mention.

Sounds like the springs are either too stiff or shocks not up to the job.

What you describe could be disastrous, so I'd recommend attending to it as soon as you can - just think - if the tyres are skipping across the road instead of hugging the surface, how much more your braking distance will be in an emergency.

You could try some quality shock absorbers - I've always gone with Koni when I can, but there's still some other good brands available. Personally I would never recommend Pedders to anyone, and especially not Midas so don't even think about them!:)

Do the shocks behave normally when you push a corner down? It should spring up, then back down to the starting position and stop. If it bounces more than this the shocks probably need replacing, or the springs are just TOO springy.

Good luck!

The AWD is that much heavier than the FWD models.
I originally put King lows on with the original shock absorbers.
Just not enough suspension travel, as you describe the car skitters over bumps.

1) Change to SP's. That tad higher to give some more suspension travel.
2) New shock absorbers. I chose to go to Koni Yellows, but I suspect that KYB or Boge would be up to the job.
3) If you have an early, i.e. TJ AWD, then change the rear sway bar ASAP to the thicker TW/TL one or the aftermarket one.
4) Reduce the rear camber.
5) If still available - fit a set of camber increasing front suspension bushes. These also make a huge difference.

These changes as a set absolutely transform the handling.
Gerry

Mine is on King Lows and it is literally sitting on the bumpstops, SP's seem to be the way to go

I'm on 18's with King lows and recently changed my stock shockers over for Boge Turbos.They have ironed out the harshness to a fair degree and give a more planted feel.
Definitely worth playing around with camber.....my rear camber changed from -1.5 to -1.0 by adding 2 shims.....more shims will require longer bolts.
Camber bolts on front have set camber to -1.0, previously was -0.25.
This has made a huge difference in reducing under steer and have been experiencing some over steer here & there.
Also have upgraded rear sway-bar.
May still play around with the set-up a bit yet as i get the feel of it.
A decent wheel alignment also made a huge difference as the previous guys had it way out of whack!

I agree that Kings SP are a more sensible option for the AWD.....have touched the front bump-stops twice with my lows.

I agree that Kings SP are a more sensible option for the AWD.....have touched the front bump-stops twice with my lows.

I don't know why mine sits on the bump stops.... maybe the extra Verada weight?

I've got a KJ AWD on lows and it rides fine around town. If you hit a big pot hole or bump in the road(such as surface height changes during roadowrks), you will hit the bump stops but that is rare.
Granted though that SP's are prob a little more sensible.

I don't know why mine sits on the bump stops.... maybe the extra Verada weight?

Stuffed if i know.....sure theyre not super lows?.....sounds dangerous mate!

How much lower are the SP's compared to the standard VRX AWD springs?

I was under the impression that the SP's are just the standard height, but stiffer with the lows 30mm lower than standard.

I've got King Low's with Boge Turbo's, and I originally had the problem you described. So much so I could almost get the car to change lanes at speed if I hit a bump in a corner. Disappeared totally after about 1000km of driving on the suspension though. No idea what was causing it, I guess once the Boge's bedded in, they started absorbing the shocks properly and we were right. I haven't made any other changes since original fitment.

How much lower are the SP's compared to the standard VRX AWD springs?

I was under the impression that the SP's are just the standard height, but stiffer with the lows 30mm lower than standard.

Not sure about compared to standard VRX springs but SP's are 30mm lower than stock, Lows are 45mm lower than stock and Super lows are around 60mm lower than stock.
The SP's are believe it or not, a stiffer spring than lows. The lows are a variable rate spring where the SP's are not.

I don't know why mine sits on the bump stops.... maybe the extra Verada weight?
You sure you dont have super lows mate? Sounds very much like it.

Not sure about compared to standard VRX springs but SP's are 30mm lower than stock, Lows are 45mm lower than stock and Super lows are around 60mm lower than stock.
The SP's are believe it or not, a stiffer spring than lows. The lows are a variable rate spring where the SP's are not.
To give you a comparison then, my car dropped 38mm all round when I changed the stock VR-X suspension to Low's.

I've got King Low's with Boge Turbo's, and I originally had the problem you described. So much so I could almost get the car to change lanes at speed if I hit a bump in a corner. Disappeared totally after about 1000km of driving on the suspension though. No idea what was causing it, I guess once the Boge's bedded in, they started absorbing the shocks properly and we were right. I haven't made any other changes since original fitment.

Perhaps your shocks weren't primed before fitting?

Zero how thick are the shims that you used on the rear to adjust the camber?

I have looked at the kits that are available in the states, but they seem to be more than just shims and bolts, but including a bracket to replace the oem one.

Approx. 1.5 mm.....2 on each bolt. Any more will require longer bolts!

I've since been made aware that Ford use slotted shims on front of EA,B etc. some of these shortened may be good as they can be slipped in and out, rather than taking the bolts right out. Usefull when experimenting.
Probably other makers use similar.

Approx. 1.5 mm.....2 on each bolt. Any more will require longer bolts!

I've since been made aware that Ford use slotted shims on front of EA,B etc. some of these shortened may be good as they can be slipped in and out, rather than taking the bolts right out. Usefull when experimenting.
Probably other makers use similar.

Sorry Mate....

Is that each shim 1.5mm for a total of 3mm, so 3mm per bolt, or is that 2 shims with a combined thickness of 1.5mm, so 1.5mm per bolt.....

Sorry Mate....

Is that each shim 1.5mm for a total of 3mm, so 3mm per bolt, or is that 2 shims with a combined thickness of 1.5mm, so 1.5mm per bolt.....

No probs! in red.

Approx. 1.5 mm.....2 on each bolt. Any more will require longer bolts!

I've since been made aware that Ford use slotted shims on front of EA,B etc. some of these shortened may be good as they can be slipped in and out, rather than taking the bolts right out. Usefull when experimenting.
Probably other makers use similar.

I have pictures of the Ford shims, I'll try and load them up here for you to see. This is what i will be using on my car. They are a slip on/slip off shim, and come in various thickness from 1 mm up to 6mm. They can be found by the millions at any wrecking site.