Lowering problem, Any help please

Post by **sherlock** » 17 Nov 2006, 17:47

HI all, I have just had my van lowered using 40mm Jemex kit (new springs & dampers) all in all im very happy with the finished drive infact it's better than I thought it would be, it's seems more like driving a large car. The only problen I do have is the fact that for some reason the front is nice and low but the back is quit a bit higher . Not sure if this is a common thing with this kit ??? the fitter was a vw garage so the jobs a good en. The fitter even said it,s not the norm. Any advise or feedback would be great. P.S I did contact the shop i got them off and he was sound, he is going to check out his source/dealer and get back to me. Should it be level when lowered ?

Post by **Westy.Club.Joker** » 17 Nov 2006, 19:02

I fitted my `van with the same kit 6 weeks ago. the a*** end is a bit higher, apparently it is normal with the Jamex kit. My `van is a Westy camper, so it`s usually carrying around a full camper interior, water and gas tanks etc, so the rear springs help with this a bit. I`ve not had it fully loaded with a week-away full clutter etc, but I reckon it will sit level then, I take lots of stuff for me boat as well.

Have a look at mine on the Brickyard for how it sits.

http://www.brick-yard.co.uk/forum/forum ... PN=1&TPN=9 near the bottom, grey van/white roof, Joker Club is me

Note that quite a few `vans lean to the drivers side front as well, particulary Westies

Fixed mine so it doesn`t

Post by **sherlock** » 17 Nov 2006, 19:27

Hi Westy, the van looks great and I can see that the back is a wee bit higher than the front, the front is about the same as mine. however I still think the back end on mine is a bit higher still. The performance is so much better than it was, the bloke in the garage did say the back may settle down a bit (may) Thanks for the help. Do you notice much differance with these springs/dampers compaired to standerd set up. Cheers. Sherlock. P.S I also have a lot of weight in my camper, units,gas,water etc etc etc.

Post by **Simon Baxter** » 17 Nov 2006, 20:38

I tell people when I sell this kit that they do come down with a rake, I would say the drop at the front is more like 50-55mm and the back about 35-40mm, but depends on application.

Post by **sherlock** » 17 Nov 2006, 22:33

Thanks Simon, although I didn't get this kit off you I will say it's very good all round and I would recomend it to anyone wishing to lower there van. That said I wasnt told of this by the person I got my kit off, is there anyway of bringing the back down a bit (or will it give in time ?) Thanks again. P.S Your right about the front it is more like a 50-55 drop

Post by **Westy.Club.Joker** » 17 Nov 2006, 23:16

Do you have the "Westy lean" on the front?

Post by **sherlock** » 17 Nov 2006, 23:19

Oddly no I dont it's all pretty on the level.....well to a blind man on a galloping horse. It's just a wee bit to dragster looking for me. Im sure I can live with it but I would really like it looking more level all round. Cheers.

Post by **sherlock** » 19 Nov 2006, 18:07

Ive lived with it for a few days and the van drives better, but one of the reasons that I had it lowered was purely because I like the look of a lower van. So can anyone suggest what if anything I can do to bring the rear down a bit. Any help would be great.

Post by **Westy.Club.Joker** » 19 Nov 2006, 21:31

Rear is a problem, the springs arn`t really suitable to be "messed with"

Try buying a pair of -60mm springs and see if that suits. Try "wanted" section or Ebay. I`ve seen people selling -60mm springs after finding they are too low for their needs. 9usually the fronts are the problem, just too low)

Post by **sherlock** » 19 Nov 2006, 23:11

Again thanks for getting back to me. I have been told by Simon Baxter who is very in the know that these front springs ars more like 50-55 drop and not 40. So maybee I should look out for 60 drop on the back to put things on the level. Cheers again. P.S I may be looking for a set of rear 60mm springs anyone got any going (cheapish as iv'e blown my pocket money)

Post by **shepster** » 20 Nov 2006, 13:02

I had the same problem, i dropped mine 60mm at first but then bought a second set of 45mm springs and fitted the fronts only which levels the van nicely.

Post by **Simon Baxter** » 20 Nov 2006, 18:55

shepster wrote:I had the same problem, i dropped mine 60mm at first but then bought a second set of 45mm springs and fitted the fronts only which levels the van nicely.

You had the old AVO kit though didn't you?
The old kits used to come down with a rake, this was one of the things I suggested they change, and they did, all AVO kits now come down evenly.

Maybe some more changes for the AVO kit soon too!

I have told to UK importers for Jamex about the raked drop, they said they would feed the info back to the manufacturer, wether they do or not is a different matter, thats the nice thing about AVO, they listen to feedback and make changes accordingly.
The AVO kit I now sell is worlds apart from the one I started selling 12 months ago.

Post by **sherlock** » 20 Nov 2006, 22:13

First thing, thanks shepster the van looks great and the lowering looks alot more what im after. Simon thanks again for your input but are you saying that if I get some 50mm or 60mm springs for the back this may not solve my problem? Also if I did fit 50s or 60s on the back am I looking at much more of a bumpy drive and will it effect the drive fully loaded (camping gear,kids, etc,etc) cheers.

Post by **shepster** » 21 Nov 2006, 08:39

My springs were from JK (not the best i know but i was unaware of Mr Baxter at the time) and the shocks were from Dave (Jokerdub) i can't remember the brand but they are shorter than standard.

Post by **Westy.Club.Joker** » 21 Nov 2006, 13:33

Fireturk on this forum also sells kits and other such stuff, wheel fittings etc Top bloke to deal with too