Raising M35 Suspension

[hutchwilco]

I have a 2002 250rs. Previous owner lowered it with cobra springs, I'm not a fan.

SAU member M35 kindly supplied me the factory ARX springs he removed from his.

I don't have any spare cash but eager to get rid of the low height. At a guess it's 25mm lower than standard.

Anyone see any problems if I just swap in the ARX springs? Don't mind a tall look so much.

Also, any tips/traps I should know about? Planning to buy some spring compressors and do it myself. Have changed shocks on my C34 in the past.

Keen to get advice on the practicality of using ARX springs and on the actual job.

Goes without saying that I'll get an alignment done...

Cheers

Edited August 6, 2014 by hutchwilco

[Kiwi_Phil]

ARX has different shocks as well, not sure if the standard height shocks will work

[hutchwilco]

ARX has different shocks as well, not sure if the standard height shocks will work

Hmm, if true that ruins my plans, I've heard that they're the same other than the springs... Can anyone confirm or point me to something conclusive?

[scotty nm35]

Will have 40mm longer shocks.

[hutchwilco]

Will have 40mm longer shocks.

Ok, then what are the implications?

The shock is 40mm shorter than that normally used with this spring.

I assume that when unweighted, the control arm will limit downward travel, rather than the shock fully extending?

Also, would my camber be too far inwards, or workable?

Trying to figure out if this is impossible/dangerous or not.

[ben3322]

Could cause some serious safety issues if the shock has no upward travel. May result in excessive stress to other suspension components as well.

[hutchwilco]

For the record, I have gone ahead and put in the ARX springs. Been a couple of months and no dramas. ( although recently developed a noise- that's another post and likely not related)

Had the front and rear realigned and the mechanic seemed to think it was sitting fine on the stock shocks with plenty of room either way. Actually far better than than the lowered scenario where the shocks were so close to the bump stops.

The ride is far better given the condition of the roads here, and nice to be able to take on any gravel road or paddock without collecting the local landscape. A little more wobble in the handling at speed but nowhere near as bad as I feared.

I know my shocks are getting near to replacement, so new shocks will improve things.

See photos:

Stock, lowered Cobras and Arx for comparison

Before height:

After height:

[hutchwilco]

Another after shot:

[Erop]

There is no difference in shocks's sizes ! AR-X, tRS, NISMO's - are same in body length, guide-bar (or rod, don't know the correct translation) length, THEY are same!

this is the main reason of AR-X front suspension's problem - it has very short place for wheel to move down (sorry, i can't explain it in english in right way!), so it's a problem for it to cross small obstacles.

that's why i HATE OEM AR-X springs. AR-X is lifted up only by springs - and this is fail reason. surely, oem shocks may be different in absorbing ability, but not in geometry. you may use them safely, but i can't recommend to do this...

[hutchwilco]

There is no difference in shocks's sizes ! AR-X, tRS, NISMO's - are same in body length, guide-bar (or rod, don't know the correct translation) length, THEY are same!

this is the main reason of AR-X front suspension's problem - it has very short place for wheel to move down (sorry, i can't explain it in english in right way!), so it's a problem for it to cross small obstacles.

Cool thanks Erop, for the info- makes sense that the shocks are the same, for simplicity and commonality across models.

I see what you're saying about the lack of downward travel for ARX but I didn't do this to go offroad( still only rear wheel drive after all) I did it because

A) I hated having the low springs( how I bought it) in my city, which has Earthquake damage to every street.

B) I got the ARX springs for free ( I don't have any money to spend on customising my car)

C) I occasionally do drive into fields/paddocks/ along unsealed roads (NZ has a lot of these if you leave the main highways) and so extra clearance is a bonus.

Cheers

[Erop]

that's clear, your circumstances are known only to you - customisimg is to do what you personally need!) i ride my AR-X for almost 7 years and far more than 200000+ km of mileage , changed many suspension kits - OEM, Nismo - twice, bilstein, impul, BC, oem for tRS - for everyday drive i prefer Nismo's, they are perfect.... cause they are powerful, very high absorption ability is their feature. comfortable, but stiff. even on earthquake roads - you have them in city, we have it at whole country)) but these roads are OK for Stagea)

my childhood dream is to visit your interesting continent, your country, i believe wonderful people live there) let me show you some pics - http://www.drive2.ru/l/4619962/ and http://www.drive2.ru/l/3481/

it is wonderful to have trip, which has 7000 km in one way, without circles or turnings. you also have big distances, so i dream to cross Australia by car)

[Hertz Donut]

[Off-topic history for those on the other side of the world]

Sam lives in Christchurch, New Zealand, 2,500km or so to the southeast of Australia. It was basically destroyed by over 10,000 earthquakes that occured beneath the city between 2010 and 2012. Much of the central city had to be demolished and large areas are no longer able to be built upon due to liquefaction.

The roads now range from being completely undamaged to completely impassible, I believe 4WD utes are one of the most popular new vehicles there these days, although it's hard to say if this is due to residents buying something more rugged to get around in or the huge number of workers that have moved to the city to work on the rebuild. I applaud anyone in Christchurch who persists in using a "normal" car to get around, I would have bailed and got a Hilux years ago.

Despite the devastation in Christchurch, the rest of New Zealand is still a much better country for driving enthusiasts than Australia.

[/Off topic]

[hutchwilco]

Despite the devastation in Christchurch, the rest of New Zealand is still a much better country for driving enthusiasts than Australia.

[/Off topic]

Heh, a fitting summary spoken by someone who must have been here for some of it or at least the aftermath... Probably pretty hard to understand without having been there done that.

[Hertz Donut]

I'm in Hawkes Bay but I have workmates and several friends down there. I've never made it past the airport but I monitor a large network and could "see" the quake rolling through it, taking out devices as it went, which obviously wasn't anywhere near as terrifying as being on the ground there. It also kinda dominated news media for a year or so.

Edited December 9, 2014 by Hertz Donut

[Erop]

good summary guy's! thank you!

that's the problem - in our news we don't know about your life! i have never heard even the word "New Zealand" for ages... sorry for my ignorance!