Lowering front, springs, cockup- help!

[StevieP]

Alright, decided to lower the front of my car earlier, Ive got all the tools that the guide is going on about, cant be *that* hard!??!

Well, Ive got my car still jacked up on an axle stand and Ive got one of the shocks still with the spring on and the spring compressors as tight as they will go sitting in my room. I have no f**king idea how to undo the top spring cup. There is no bolt on the top of the shock, just a thread bit and a washer underneath that seems like it will pop out with the whole of the shock if I release it. The cup isnt even loose like it should be??! Spring is honestly pretty squished up. If anyone else had this prob when lowering their Mark 1 Clio please let me know? Cant bear to leave her outside with no alloy on and a shock and spring missing!

 

[Ben P]

Is there a circlip in the top of the strut.

I think you need to prise it out first, but be careful where it lands!

 

[Daz]

Did ya fix it?

Daz.

 

[Mike Wright]

Be very carefull with the springs compressed! I saw one slip off and the spring decompress and it wasnt good!

 

[Ben P]

yeah I put a hole in my garage door.

oops

 

[pete bann]

if you loose or damage the circlip mate PM me and i can get you a nice new one free of charge!

 

[StevieP]

Do I prise it off before I compress the spring or after the spring is compressed? Im going to have another go at it now Ive got the shock and spring in my room

Cheers for the help lads.

 

[StevieP]

f**king sorted it.. Its taken hours but its done, just been out for a little drive. The front is now lower I *think* one side is *slightly* lower than the other but that might be me being paranoid, parking on a slight slope or I just need to let the springs bed in properly. Sorry I havent got any pics, will try to get some soon.

Yeah the circlip was the f**king problem, I didnt even know what it was until today. Its taken me ages to get it all done but Im pleased Ive done it and not taken it to a garage. I just need to lower the rear torsion bar and sometime over easter fit uprated shocks.

Ive heard of probs when lowering the rear torsion bar that the brakes come on cus it thinks its carrying more weight? If this happens how do I get it sorted?

 

[steve_rt]

i thought that was just if you had rear discs? if you need to sort it then you have to adjust the brake bias valve

 

[StevieP]

Ahh Ive jus got drums of course, the bible (Haynes manual) should sort me out anyways.