[Ozekuga]

Well done David, have you had chance to test drive them or did you call it a day after the fight with the springs.

 

[murcod]

I did a couple of laps around the block. The rear set by themselves made the biggest change (improvement in handling/ reducing body roll), but the front needed to come down a bit for it to look balanced.

At the moment it's sitting 32mm lower in the rear and 23mm lower in the front. I'm happy with those figures- I don't want the front any lower so hope it doesn't "settle" any further. I'll post some before and after pictures in the next couple of days. The ride comfort seems to be about the same. I was surprised to find the OEM shocks/ struts feel more than up to the task.

Now to transplant a Focus RS drivetrain..... :laugh:

Edit: For anyone interested these are the straps I used to hold the springs compressed. Unfortunately there isn't enough space to fit spring compressors or ratchet straps. The low profile of the cam buckle type fastener fits nicely.

 

[Ozekuga]

Top work David, hopefully it stays at the same height as you have it now.
So in your view do you think this is a worthwhile mod?

 

[murcod]

I'll wait until I've driven it some more to give a definitive answer.

 

[murcod]

Okay, I've been for a drive over some familiar roads and corners. Some of the roads are very bumpy/ undulating and in 70 and 80km/h zones. (Noting I haven't had a wheel alignment done yet. I've also upgraded the rear sway-bar bushes and have different width/ offset wheels and 255/40R19 tyres.)

Over your average road the ride doesn't seem to have deteriorated much, if at all. Large bumps of course are more noticeable- but that stands to reason when lowering any vehicle. The stock struts/ shocks seem to handle the lowered springs and be a good match- it's possibly more composed/ controlled over small/ moderate bumps than with the stock springs. There's a lot less body roll around one corner I'm familiar with- a tightening slightly off camber turn. Body roll is reduced and it's more like driving a decent handling car than a high riding SUV. Combined with the AWD it feels like a RWD when accelerating out of corners.

For me, a worthwhile upgrade that I'm very happy with (coming from a background of owning numerous hot hatches.) Getting in and out it's noticeable that it's lower, but it's still a lot higher than a normal car. A lot of cars will bottom out reversing out our driveway (it's entertaining when people do U turns in our driveway) but there's still plenty of clearance with the lowered springs.

For anyone thinking why didn't you just buy a Focus ST wagon- we don't get Focus wagons in Australia. I also don't like the tractions issues associated with powerful FWD vehicles.

I'll get a picture up on the weekend. I took one with my phone but the wide angle lens doesn't give the proper perspective of how it looks.

 

[murcod]

I didn't get a chance to go back to the same spot where I took my "before" pics, but here are some before and after shots for the Eibachs previously mentioned.

Standard height, stock rims with 235/45R19 vs 19x8.5" ET45 with 255/40R19 tyres

Eibach springs fitted - these will fit later than 2014 models.

IMHO that's about where it should sit from the factory.

 

[hooligan]

Those Team Dynamics wheels, David?

 

[johngriggs]

Car looks great, David. The factory ride height seems to be biased to the "utility" part of "sport utility" while yours now is biased towards "sport". For my use, I need all the clearance I can get on job sites, so I prefer the higher factory height.

If I did nothing but street driving, I'd certainly prefer the stance you got out of yours.

 

[BklynEscape]

IMHO that's about where it should sit from the factory.

Agreed. If only my car wasn't a lease! If I end up keeping it then I'd seriously consider lowering mine a little bit.

 

[murcod]

Those Team Dynamics wheels, David?

Yes, Pro Race 1.3 - 19x8.5" ET45mm (with 255/40R19 ContiSportContact 6 tyres.) They're actually 2kg less per wheel than the stock 19x8" ET52.5mm with ContiSportContact 5 in 235/45R19.

Car looks great, David. The factory ride height seems to be biased to the "utility" part of "sport utility" while yours now is biased towards "sport". For my use, I need all the clearance I can get on job sites, so I prefer the higher factory height.

If I did nothing but street driving, I'd certainly prefer the stance you got out of yours.

Thanks.

There's still a decent amount of clearance- it started with 193mm going by the specs from Ford. I'm guessing the lowest point is at the front where it's dropped by just over 20mm. The 19" wheels are more of a concern for me, I scraped one of the stock wheel rims last year on dirt tracks while on holidays. I'd fit a set of 17" wheels with slightly higher tyres if I was doing that sort of thing again.

 

[johngriggs]

The 19" wheels are more of a concern for me, I scraped one of the stock wheel rims last year on dirt tracks while on holidays. I'd fit a set of 17" wheels with slightly higher tyres if I was doing that sort of thing again.

Absolutely. It's a concern of mine also. The black painted 19" wheels I have will show scrapes more than the aluminum or silver painted aluminum.

 

[Anchor]

Yes, Pro Race 1.3 - 19x8.5" ET45mm (with 255/40R19 ContiSportContact 6 tyres.) They're actually 2kg less per wheel than the stock 19x8" ET52.5mm with ContiSportContact 5 in 235/45R19.



Thanks.

There's still a decent amount of clearance- it started with 193mm going by the specs from Ford. I'm guessing the lowest point is at the front where it's dropped by just over 20mm. The 19" wheels are more of a concern for me, I scraped one of the stock wheel rims last year on dirt tracks while on holidays. I'd fit a set of 17" wheels with slightly higher tyres if I was doing that sort of thing again.

Morning David, i've scowered these forums and your post seems to be the most informative in regards to lowering the newer 16/17 vehicles.
Funnily enough, I sell them new (8 years now) and my partner has just purchased a 17 Ambiente FWD auto white and is requesting wheels & suspension (keeper). In my reading I see the Eibach springs are the only ones that fit these newer models? Wondering if you had any hints or tips for me as to where you got yours from and how long they took.
Wheels coming are Niche Essen 20x9 +38 in Black with 245/40R20 and are 6 weeks wait from USA so waiting for springs isn't an issue.

Thanks
Jeremy

 

[murcod]

Morning David, i've scowered these forums and your post seems to be the most informative in regards to lowering the newer 16/17 vehicles.
Funnily enough, I sell them new (8 years now) and my partner has just purchased a 17 Ambiente FWD auto white and is requesting wheels & suspension (keeper). In my reading I see the Eibach springs are the only ones that fit these newer models? Wondering if you had any hints or tips for me as to where you got yours from and how long they took.
Wheels coming are Niche Essen 20x9 +38 in Black with 245/40R20 and are 6 weeks wait from USA so waiting for springs isn't an issue.

Thanks
Jeremy

Hi Jeremy, I checked over Eibach's various sites to be sure what part number would be correct and then ordered them from Demon Tweaks in the UK. I ordered part number E10-35-021-05-22 which suits the post 2014 1.5l EcoBoost and 2.0l TDCi (diesel) engined models- there isn't any 2.0 Litre EcoBoost petrol engine listed as it isn't available in the UK.

There was a three week wait for them to be made. I used Demon Tweaks as their prices are good and their sales support excellent. (I previously ordered the wheels from them.)

PS: I assume you're in Australia or NZ with an Ambiente?

 

[p0st4l]

I'll be taking on this project in the next couple of weeks for my new to me '13 Titanium 2.0L AWD.

Coming from the turbo subaru forester world, this lil ford scoots pretty good. Hoping this lowering does the same for it as the lowering of my fxt did for it. I'll try to get some photos of the install so there is documentation moving forward that includes photos.

until then...

 

[p0st4l]

Parts arrived early.

went with monroe struts/shocks and the h&r 51603 springs.

here's to hoping they work right

 

[jaymax]

Parts arrived early.

went with monroe struts/shocks and the h&r 51603 springs.

here's to hoping they work right

Keep us updated!

 

[p0st4l]

well, i (we) did it. we started the project at 6pm last night and finished it today at noon.

A top hat busted apart last night and bearings went everywhere. We found 32 of the 36, so put it back together so we could wheel it out of the garage. Luckily, the dealership had the parts and was open today (Saturday). (Thanks, Capitol Ford, San Jose, CA)

Also got new tie rod end links because whoever created tie rod ends and pickle forks need to be slapped in the head a few times.

Here are some quick and dirty photos. The car is out at alignment right now and hoping to pick it up here soon.

 

[murcod]

Looks like they might be a bit lower than my Eibachs?

PS: You do know the rear shocks can be done from underneath- no need to pull the interior trim apart. (By undoing the two bolts that secure the shock top mount to the body.)

 

[p0st4l]

Maybe? Not sure. Letting it settle for now.

Those rear shocks were a pain. The star hex type thing that's accessible on the wheel well is trash. I stripped one immediately. Luckily, I was able to just leave them in place and remove the center top nut from the shock and swap it out that way.

I did purchase some 1" wheel spacers after reading a thread here on the forum.

But, not sure if the fronts will take the 1". After the purchase, I've seen posts about doing 1" in the rear (25mm) and 15mm in the front. Any input on this?

Here are some more photos from last night.

 

[technoshark]

Just did my '15 with the H&R's, using OEM '13 struts. Looks almost exactly like p0st4l. Feels tighter in the turns for sure. Will know definitively once it's settled.