Lowering 80mm - Wish I never done it

michael88

New Member
At 80mm, will it ever truly drive straight and not pull? Or am I being naive thinking it'll drive normally at this ride height? Ignoring the various things than can cause pull like bushes, damage, tyres etc.

Had my Transporter a couple of years. Camper Converted. SoLow NSL dropped half way down with ride height within 5mm. Full front and rear adjustable powerflex bushes. New wheels and tyres.

I don't think I truly knew what I was getting into when lowering it ~80mm, I was aware I'd need rear bushes to sort the toe out, fronts to sort caster (mine had an annoying shake at 70mph before fitting them). Had multiple wheel alignments done (I think 5 in total as well as my own string alignments, with and without bushings with the rear bushes being done first, then the fronts later), final one done by Bognor which is the best I've had so far (I'd not take my van elsewhere now as they were great). But it still pulls to one side slightly, although steer ahead on a straight, flat road is bang on (but still has a pull, im guessing caster as the reading it now uneven oddly).

When this low, is trying to get caster, toe and camber into reasonable, even specs actually possible? Or do i need to raise the van up to 70mm, or replace the suspension entirely with something else that isnt as low.

I see the comments from those that have lowered this much 'drives great' etc but does it actually? maybe I am too used to a tack sharp GR86?

Anyone gone this low and then backed out to something higher?
 
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I see the comments from those that have lowered this much 'drives great' etc but does it actually?
I don’t think many would admit it but it’s fairly obvious if the suspension is effectively negated and the carefully designed running gear geometry butchered.
Better to test drive someone else's first and then make the call.
 
I was down 115mm and it drove perfectly. Get the alignment done to the right specs and it should be totally fine (there’s threads on here with details that I can’t remember off the top of my head)

Of course there are compromises to running low but what you describe aren’t those.
 
I've had my 130k mile T6 down maybe 70mm and now my 30k T6.1 on the same XTA coilovers down at -80 and they both drove so nice and smooth, both on 20s as well with 265/40 Goodyear Eagles on.
 
At 80mm, will it ever truly drive straight and not pull? Or am I being naive thinking it'll drive normally at this ride height? Ignoring the various things than can cause pull like bushes, damage, tyres etc.

Had my Transporter a couple of years. Camper Converted. SoLow NSL dropped half way down with ride height within 5mm. Full front and rear adjustable powerflex bushes. New wheels and tyres.

I don't think I truly knew what I was getting into when lowering it ~80mm, I was aware I'd need rear bushes to sort the toe out, fronts to sort caster (mine had an annoying shake at 70mph before fitting them). Had multiple wheel alignments done (I think 5 in total as well as my own string alignments, with and without bushings with the rear bushes being done first, then the fronts later), final one done by Bognor which is the best I've had so far (I'd not take my van elsewhere now as they were great). But it still pulls to one side slightly, although steer ahead on a straight, flat road is bang on (but still has a pull, im guessing caster as the reading it now uneven oddly).

When this low, is trying to get caster, toe and camber into reasonable, even specs actually possible? Or do i need to raise the van up to 70mm, or replace the suspension entirely with something else that isnt as low.

I see the comments from those that have lowered this much 'drives great' etc but does it actually? maybe I am too used to a tack sharp GR86?

Anyone gone this low and then backed out to something higher?
There are a lot of things you have done which have complicated this issue more than it needed to be!

A lot of tacky advice on social media , and a lot of so called self confessed experts giving poor advice doesnt help of course ?!

Feel free to call us and we can offer some advice , we can even take a look for you if you aren't too far away
 
Didn't think 80mm was particulary low on a transporter.

What tyre size and brand are you using?
You will not find any kit that goes lower than 80 mm for a transporter with T U V approval for travel in Europe . Whilst UK doesn't recognise T U V, it is a brilliant guide line that we should take note of because its common sense with Safety as its objective !
 
You will not find any kit that goes lower than 80 mm for a transporter with T U V approval for travel in Europe . Whilst UK doesn't recognise T U V, it is a brilliant guide line that we should take note of because its common sense with Safety as its objective !
👍
 
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