SL springs in rear, need shortened shocks?

sirchAU · 03-09-2012, 11:45 PM

Hey guys,

I'm thinking about lowering just the rear of my S-pack AU to Super Low (50mm) ride height, from the factory Tickford suspension height (30mm), so basically another 20mm lower in the rear to make it even with the front. The rear sits quite high at the moment, noticeably higher than the front.

My question is, will I need to get some new shortened shocks as well, or will the shocks I have now be ok? Worried about negative camber angle wearing out the inside of my tyres prematurely. Will a camber kit be required?

What are some brands people here are using and/or recommend? Have a really limited budget, so the cheaper the better..

Was looking at these on ebay for $260:
Ford Falcon AU Live Axle Rear Shock & Spring Suspension Kit Super Low Height
They're King SL rear springs paired with Ultima Gas shocks. Are these shocks shortened? How do they compare with say, Monroe GT Sport shortened shocks which I notice a lot of people seem to have?

Also, quite like the look/height of the Eibach Pro spring kits that i've seen a few other members have on their cars, but a fair bit more expensive from what I've seen.

Anyway cheers for any help, I know sweet FA about most of this stuff but I'm learning all the time thanks to these forums.

Thanks,
Chris

Mr Hardware · 04-09-2012, 10:49 AM

Short answer is yes.

Sox · 05-09-2012, 07:50 AM

No, you don't need them.

mickyyyy · 05-09-2012, 08:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sox

No, you don't need them.

Your right if you want a ****** ride quality!!!

sirchAU

If you intend on keeping the car for at least 2 years and its your daily i suggest getting the Eibach spring and either a koni or bilstein shock...

If you cant afford to do it all at once just buy springs first till you can afford koni or bilstein shock!!! I have used Boge, KYB and now have Bilstein as its totally worth the money!!!

I have king spring in the front and pedders in the rear and find pedders a little more firmer compared to kingspring.

Eibach always gets good reviews!!!

Sox · 05-09-2012, 09:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mickyyyy

Your right if you want a ****** ride quality!!!

Nonsense.

The OP asked if shortened shocks are needed.

The truth is, they are not needed.

There's no question that using shortened shocks with SL springs is a little better than not having them, but my answer is correct.

I know because I've driven on both and the difference is minor.

robbyj · 05-09-2012, 11:47 AM

as sox said they are not needed.
I lowered mine on king spring SL all round, and kept the standard shocks on.
They wore out after a while, then i went short shocks.

If you wanna do it all at once, go for it. Or you can wait til your shocks are had it then upgrade.

Mr Hardware · 05-09-2012, 01:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OP

My question is, will I need to get some new shortened shocks as well, or will the shocks I have now be ok?

The answer to this is covered by robbyj, they won't be ok for very long.

Sox · 05-09-2012, 02:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr Hardware

The answer to this is covered by robbyj, they won't be ok for very long.

Why?
You're assuming they failed prematurely because of the SL springs, which is unlikely IMO.

The only consequence of using the standard shock with SL springs is that the bump rubber will be hit more often on poor road surfaces.
So long as the shock itself isn't bottoming within itself, there's no reason why it's life will be any shorter than normal.

FOCUSonTHIS · 05-09-2012, 11:22 PM

I replaced my springs with the Eibach Pro Kit. I didn't replace the shocks in my car as I thought they would be fine. Within 3 days I blew out my rear shocks and got a constant knocking sound.

So the answer is yes, get shorten shocks when replacing with lowered springs.

Dave_Obsession · 06-09-2012, 12:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sirchAU

Also, quite like the look/height of the Eibach Pro spring kits that i've seen a few other members have on their cars, but a fair bit more expensive from what I've seen.

Nothing expensive about $200 for quality Eibach springs bought directly from the manufacturer...free delivery to your door as well...
http://eibachdirect.com.au/p/523840/pro-kit.html

sirchAU · 06-09-2012, 12:09 AM

Cheers for the responses.

I'm thinking of getting the ones i linked to on ebay, seem to be the cheapest I can find online- King SL springs and Ultima Gas Shocks (which i found out are shortened shocks).

Can't really justify spending the cash on lowering my car atm when I'm trying to save, but it just doesn't look right to me and I won't feel completely satisfied until it's done. My partner wouldn't be too happy as we're both saving to go overseas next year, but hopefully she just doesn't even notice... like with most of the mods I've done

sirchAU · 06-09-2012, 12:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave_Obsession

Nothing expensive about $200 for quality Eibach springs bought directly from the manufacturer...free delivery to your door as well...
http://eibachdirect.com.au/p/523840/pro-kit.html

Hey that's a good price! Now to find a cheap set of shortened shocks to go with them and we're rolling. Cheers for that.

Edit: Dave, is that $200 for front and back? I only really want the rear ones. Suppose I could sell the fronts on here..

Dave_Obsession · 06-09-2012, 12:18 AM

Yeah that's the whole set...back when I bought it a few years ago it was $220 + $45 postage...

MWTB · 06-09-2012, 12:20 AM

Mate ran SSSLs in his BA XR6t and had no issues for a number of months before he got sick of not being able to go over speed bumps and took the SSSLs out. Now he's on SSLs all round I believe, still on stock shocks.

Ride quality is not terrible either.

sirchAU · 06-09-2012, 12:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave_Obsession

Yeah that's the whole set...back when I bought it a few years ago it was $220 + $45 postage...

Suppose i could buy the full set, spend $100 on some shocks, and sell the front springs to make some of my money back, and it would work out cheaper than the $285 it would cost for the King SL/Ultima shocks package.

The Eibach's do sit perfectly. Are they a touch higher than the King SL's?

Dave_Obsession · 06-09-2012, 12:28 AM

They would be - best way to describe them would be to think of them as being kinda halfway between 'low' and 'super low'...

Sox · 06-09-2012, 08:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FOCUSonTHIS

I replaced my springs with the Eibach Pro Kit. I didn't replace the shocks in my car as I thought they would be fine. Within 3 days I blew out my rear shocks and got a constant knocking sound.

For this to happen, something else wasn't right.
Either the shocks were already about to burst, or the bump stops were left off.

I've done this at least 3 times without any issues at all - all of the vehicles being quite loaded up when towing.

mickyyyy · 06-09-2012, 08:31 AM

I think you better put a plan in place on how much you want to spend in total and work around it!!!

Again if your going to keep the car for at least 2years and its your daily, and in good condition then spend the money on a good shock... If not then grab either Ultima or equvilant!!!

Sox · 06-09-2012, 08:39 AM

The KYB AGX shocks look interesting, anyone tried these?

I personally wouldn't use Ultima again, they're very cheap for a reason.

mickyyyy · 06-09-2012, 12:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sox

The KYB AGX shocks look interesting, anyone tried these?

I personally wouldn't use Ultima again, they're very cheap for a reason.

Ultima seems to be hit and miss from what i have read online... KYB are good and consistant but its not a sport shock. Boge are alright but again its nothing compared to koni or bilstein.

Buy what you can afford and be happy with what you have!!!

Sox · 06-09-2012, 03:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mickyyyy

Ultima seems to be hit and miss from what i have read online... KYB are good and consistant but its not a sport shock. Boge are alright but again its nothing compared to koni or bilstein.

I found Ultima softer than the standard Tickford. Very ordinary, and I prefered the Monroe GT gas and GT sport more.

The KYB AGX are meant to be sports shocks, adjustable and fairly priced.

I'm certain they're not in the same league as Koni or Bilstein, but then neither is the price.
I'm just interested as they seem pretty new and I've heard no feedback on that particular model.

mickyyyy · 06-09-2012, 04:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sox

I found Ultima softer than the standard Tickford. Very ordinary, and I prefered the Monroe GT gas and GT sport more.

The KYB AGX are meant to be sports shocks, adjustable and fairly priced.

I'm certain they're not in the same league as Koni or Bilstein, but then neither is the price.
I'm just interested as they seem pretty new and I've heard no feedback on that particular model.

There is not much feedback online and what ive read is hit and miss!!! Apparently the Monroe GT Sport are alright... I believe the Monroe GT Sport is the only low price end sport orientated shock available!!!

Sox · 06-09-2012, 06:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mickyyyy

There is not much feedback online and what ive read is hit and miss!!! Apparently the Monroe GT Sport are alright... I believe the Monroe GT Sport is the only low price end sport orientated shock available!!!

I have the GT sport on my P250, they good for the $$.

robbyj · 06-09-2012, 10:20 PM

just cut the springs brahh ;)

Day-mow · 08-09-2012, 04:38 PM

AGX's where priced more then koni's when I looked for IRS.
BOGE turbo shocks are great value for money and do shortened rears.
I had SL's with standard shocks and it got a bit scary when I bottomed out through a sweeper at 80-100 in hills.