lowered my van

[connect_4]

have they made front suspension stiffer?,agree 15mm is not enough

Don't know yet, not been out for a proper drive.

BUT all the threads about lowering the front say that the Focus front springs require a Focus top mount AND cup for the connect, so i bought 2 standard Focus front legs from the breakers yard just so i can use the top mounts and cups.

I also bought a set of Focus RS front springs off Ebay.

The Focus top mount and cup i got from the breakers yard DO NOT fit the RS springs i bought, the springs i bought use the standard connect top mount and NO cup.



i'm confused ????

What springs do i have then ??

[connect_4]

The fella i bought the springs from said he's bought some lowering springs for his RS.

He sent me the springs in the box that his lowering springs came in, i've just looked at the box and HIS RS is a Mk2 RS, is this why they are different ?

Should i have got a Mk1 set ?

[valetech]

Yes Mk2 focus springs don't fit

[connect_4]

Yes Mk2 focus springs don't fit

They do fit, just using the connect top mount BUT they only lower it by 15mm !!!!

I might just buy some MK2 lowering springs then and use the connect standard top mount and no cup.

Another lesson learnt me thinks !!!

Well it should at least handle better as they will be stiffer.

Cheers

Andy

[GKandR4CH]

Huh?? That cannot be right. Infact that looks extremely dangerous not to use a spring cup.
Surely the spring would need a top cup otherwise when hitting a bump the bearing would smash into a million pieces.

[connect_4]

Huh?? That cannot be right. Infact that looks extremely dangerous not to use a spring cup.
Surely the spring would need a top cup otherwise when hitting a bump the bearing would smash into a million pieces.

The focus mk1 strut has a metal large top cup as you can see in the strut on the left, but the mk2 strut uses a cup incorporated into the top mount, so it does have a cup.

What i meant is that the focus mk1 cups were not needed with the springs i bought.

[GKandR4CH]

I'll stick with the tried and tested version of the MK1 spring and top cup.
I'll look at my MK2 ST to check this spring cup.

[Drizz]

Sorry to bump an old thread but im researching prior to dropping mine. So initially having 2 leaf springs per side, i wont need the adjustable hangers initially, and itll lower it about 4" is that right? And ill need mk2 focus -40mm springs for the front too?

Cheers all....

[GKandR4CH]

If you want to go down the MK2 Focus route speak to a member called Connect 4.
He's done the MK2 version and is currently using that setup. Or was when I last read.

[connect_4]

Sorry to bump an old thread but im researching prior to dropping mine. So initially having 2 leaf springs per side, i wont need the adjustable hangers initially, and itll lower it about 4" is that right? And ill need mk2 focus -40mm springs for the front too?

Cheers all....

MK2 Focus springs are a direct fit to the connect front legs, no need to change the top mounts.

The Focus MK2 RS front springs only lowered the van by -15mm, so you can use any Focus MK2 lowering springs on your van.

So i would use just normal lowering springs if i were you, i didn't get round to fitting MK2 lowering springs to my van as i aquired a set of MK1 RS springs for free, so i used them.

BUT for simplicity you would be better going for MK2 springs as they fit perfectly.

cheers

[Drizz]

Cheers fella. Youres is a 2 leafer too isnt it? So did you need adjustable hangers?
What drop should i get to match it do you think, and from what engined Mk2?

[Mylee]

Cheers fella. Youres is a 2 leafer too isnt it? So did you need adjustable hangers?
What drop should i get to match it do you think, and from what engined Mk2?

It's not the number of leaf springs that decide if you need adjustable hangers. Nor will the spec of your van 200, 220, 230 etc tell you. It's been a very hit and miss but I think Vale found that it depends on the original colour of your axle. There's a thread on it somewhere, failing that pm him.

[connect_4]

Cheers fella. Youres is a 2 leafer too isnt it? So did you need adjustable hangers?
What drop should i get to match it do you think, and from what engined Mk2?

Mine was 2 leaf's but as Mylee said it's a bit hit and miss, i din't need adjustable hangers and mine didn't bottom out on anything, you will have to just lower yours and see what you get, if it's too low then sort some adjustable hangers out.

The focus MK2 springs are pretty much all the same except for the RS ones which are stiffer (also the 2.5lt RS engine is heavier that's probably why the springs only lowered the connect by 15mm as the connect engine would be lighter ?).

[Drizz]

Much appreciated sir! Ill go with a similar engine'd focus mk2 then.
Great thanks again all

[Bailey.]

Did the mk2 lowering spring work? I'm looking at for as softer front spring as possible, so almost standard rebound but lower?also do I have to flip the axle exactly 180 degrees on the rear?