Why does my front keep coming down!

[shnozz]

I had my springs replaced by David Batty about 2 months ago. The old ones were apparently completely shagged and when replaced the ride height was slightly improved. Most noticeably, the bonnet could lift up and the bonnet stay would slot in to the (second adapted) hole to keep it up.

2 months down the line and I am certain the front end has dropped again. The bonnet wont lift to the point required to slot in the stay and the headlights appear to be too low set.

Any ideas why it would have reverted to this with new springs?

[Justin S]

Shnozz,how much did the springs cost you.Was quoted £154 a pair from a certain dealer in Oxfordshire!!!.That was just to supply.Have you got adjustable spring height on the shocks? If you have maybe they need tweaking.If not,seems strange they have settled so low.Is the bonnet hinges all in line and not dropped?

[Paceracing]

quote:
Was quoted £154 a pair from a certain dealer in Oxfordshire!!!.

F ME!

They are less than £15 each at Rally Design, Faversham, Kent!
Did the Oxfordshire dealer have them gold plated or something?

Jas.

[Justin S]

Don't panic Jas,that was the one and only time I entered that place.Told them it was a rip off and got some slightly heavier poundage springs from Autocross.Incidently Rally Design said they couldn't help.They do advertise saying they care and will even pick your car up from London.They don't say it's a minimum of £50 tho' and them screw you for OTT servicing costs.....

[Paceracing]

Personally never had trouble with them, although I just go there for parts and fit them myself.

Jas.

[shnozz]

Springs were about £50 a pop if I remember rightly (dont quote me)

They are not adjustable so it aint that. Could be bonnet hinges - might check that this weekend. Got to say ground clearance appears to have reduced by that inch or so again though so me thinks its the springs/shocks or that ride height has lowered again.

[GreenV8S]

quote:
Springs were about £50 a pop if I remember rightly (dont quote me)

They are not adjustable so it aint that. Could be bonnet hinges - might check that this weekend. Got to say ground clearance appears to have reduced by that inch or so again though so me thinks its the springs/shocks or that ride height has lowered again.

£50 for springs? Presumably that's for a set of four. If that's each, you're being robbed!

Sagging ride height could be damper bushes, the top ones especially get a lot of heat from the manifolds. Also worth a sanity check to make sure none of the springs have broken, and remember that the bonnet opening is *extremely* sensitive to ride height, a tiny uneven surface or even a few mil off the tyres can make enough difference to be noticeable.

Cheers,
Peter Humphries (and a green V8S)

[shnozz]

quote:
a tiny uneven surface or even a few mil off the tyres can make enough difference to be noticeable.

hmm - tyres are coming towards the end of their life - might re-visit ride height when new ones are put on in a thousand miles or so.

[roy c]

Since I had new springs and dampers, I've noticed that my bonnet has less ground clearance for opening, even though the car is higher (exhaust grounds less than before). This seems to be because the rears are probably slightly higher than TVR intended, causing the car to be more nose-down. But it's a small price to pay for a better ride & handling.