Lowering a VX is it better than standard

[NeddyBear]

I'm interested in having our VX sedan lowered using the shorter springs and shocks so I'm wondering does the car handle, steer and stop better and as for the suspension is it a better ride than the original setup or is it just for the looks.

[ToMMMaY]

Car handles better looks better takes bumps like shit all u need to know

[NeddyBear]

Ok then I won't get it done if its rougher than the standard setup.

[Cameron P]

lol yeah its a little rougher then standard but not like a "bullock tray" lol all depends on how low aswell

i have ssl's all round and it drives fairly good

[Jesterarts]

Can will handle better as you will reduce body roll. (This is good for cornering performace).

You also reduce squat under acceleration. (This is good for traction on takeoff and keeping control).

If you get shocks that are suited to the application, you won't have a very bumpy (as in pogo stick bumpy) ride, it will just be very hard.

You see alot of lowered commodores bounce around in the arse going over bumps when they do not have correct shocks. This gets ANNOYING after a very short time.

I had SL fronts and SSSL rears in a VX. It was fairly annoying before I got good rear shocks. But once I had the rear shocks it, it was still harsh on back seat passengers but didn't bounce around when going over a bump in the road.

Having said that, when I get my VZ, I plan on only going as low as SSL in the rear. So obviously I didn't like SSSL THAT much.

[NeddyBear]

Thanks for the suggestions guys, I'll see what Pedders can do since they are specialist in the field and I'm only intersted in the low setup and surely with new shocks and springs all round the ride would have to be better than the standard 9 year 197,000klm gear and I'm also having airbags in the rear for when towing the camper trailer.
It had 17'' tyres and mags on it when I purchased the VX 3 years ago and gave them away in exchange for 4 x 15'' steelies and new tyres and now I'm going to use the 7 x 16'' VE steelies and yes I've had new hubs machined to suit the VE rims.

[wrx884]

put it this way the lower u go the more comfort u sacrafice, same with the lower the tyre profile u go aswell so if u go lows or SL with a 45mm tyre wall its really the best ur gonna get 4 comfort.

[NeddyBear]

No I'm old school and like the taller tyres, the VX had 17'' alloys on it when I bought it 3 years ago and I swapped them for a set of 15'' steelies and new tyres.

[som]

i have a friend who often asks for advice so that he can be part of a conversation or perhaps the centre of everyone's attention for a few minutes.he never takes any advice of course cos he's already decided what he's going to do,invariably he makes poor choices.still who really cares,sometimes his questions can start off a good debate and thay's always good value.

[NeddyBear]

What are you saying, do you think I'd be here wasting my time asking questions if I wasn't going to have the work done and besides it's a forum site.
I've had my VX for 3 years and while paying off an over priced home in a Qld mining town I've managed to put enough aside to have it lowered so how
dare you suggest I'm telling porky pies about wanting the work done.

Actually I also want the following work done and have 2 quotes:

Automatic transmission serviced
Automatic transmission rear seal replaced
Automatic transmission mount replaced
Steering rack replaced
Engine tuned
Oil filter and oil changed
Tappet cover seals replaced
2 x Front hubs fitted, I'll suppy as I've had them machined to accept VE 16'' steelies
4 x Brake rotors and pads fitted, I'll supply

[Jesterarts]

Thanks for the suggestions guys, I'll see what Pedders can do since they are specialist in the field and I'm only intersted in the low setup and surely with new shocks and springs all round the ride would have to be better than the standard 9 year 197,000klm gear.

WOW!!! WOWW!!! Pedder!! Danger!! Danger!! Danger Will Robinson!!!

DO not listen to ANYTHING pedders have to say.

Go anywhere BUT pedders.

[Dangerous Dave]

+1 for avoiding pedders...

[NeddyBear]

Ok then I'm listening who else then and why are they so bad, I've had a towing package fitted to our 1975 Toyota Crown sedan and there work was outstanding but if you know of somewhere better I'm all ears and I'll be having the work done in Rockhampton Qld.

[GEN3RATD]

Pedders here in mandurah are sooo bad haha. i went in for a quote for coilovers and the guy behind the counter (who i assume its his day to day job) didnt have a clue how much they were, so i stood there for a good 45 minutes while he made phone calls and looked on the internet and whatnot, just for him to say he has no idea and he will call me back tommorrow. called me back 3 days later and gave me a well overinflated price, and said that he had no idea how low the coilovers would go at their lowest setting, needless to say havent been back there

[Jesterarts]

Ok then I'm listening who else then and why are they so bad, I've had a towing package fitted to our 1975 Toyota Crown sedan and there work was outstanding but if you know of somewhere better I'm all ears and I'll be having the work done in Rockhampton Qld.

Don't get me wrong. The quality of their products on a whole is great and in terms of workmanship I havne't had a bad experience with them personally, but it's just that they talk shit... ALOT of shit and in my experience are overpriced with Labor.

This mainly occurs when you take your car in either for a safety check, or a quick and simple job. They will always find something that they say it a danger to your life, needs to be replaced immediately, etc.

They wanted to charge me about 200 bux labor for swapping my rear shocks. This is a 30min job WITHOUT a hoist doing one side at a time.

There are other members on here with some great pedders stories, taking in cars that are basically new for suspension changes and pedders finding parts that are worn to the point of being dangerous.

Unfortunately, I cannot give you an alternative in Rockhampton as I don't live up that way.

Usually I do my suspension related stuff myself or have my mechanic, who i trust and have been using for 7 years now, do it for me.

Maybe Pedders in Rockhampton is the exception to the others, but I would suggest that maybe you start a thread and see peoeples opinion on then and also get peoples input from that area as to who else is around there and recommended.

Sorry I can't help more.

[krylothe]

Mate pedders in rocky are dodgy as. i went in there for a safety check and they gave me a list of about $2500 worth of parts that HAD to be replaced, went to another mechanic and the only prob they could find was a leaking shock which i think cost bout $300 or $400 for a full set. i know what i would rather pay!

[NeddyBear]

Ok then, I've posted several request asking for better suspension centres in the Emerald Qld and Rockhampton.
Pedders are still on my list of prefered suppliers list but I'm willing to listen to those who have had there suspensions lowered
in these towns are extremly happy with the supplied services.
Update: Only one reply who said Pedders supply a great service so I'll book it in for next week.

Update: 8.00pm 15.05.11
I've obtained 3 quotes in Emerald for the mechanical work which ranged between $2035 and $2450 and for the lowering in Emerald between $2,000 and $2600 and 3 suspension centres in Rockhampton range between $1400 and $1900 so I'm having
a specialist auto and power steering centre do the mechanical work on the 19th and Pedders in Rockhampton are lowering it and installing a towing package on the 27th.

Standard height

Lowered height



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