New suspension arrived today

DZFord · 28-10-2010, 03:32 PM

After riding for nearly 18 months on Eibach springs, my stock front shocks are showing signs of wear. This has given me a good excuse to upgrade the suspension. I was not sure whether to go for coilovers, or new shocks with matched springs. After a lot of research, umming and ahhhing, I decided on springs / shocks kit to provide good street handling. I also decided I didn't need the height adjustability of the coilovers.

A big, big thanks to #Russ#Es# for the hot tip about Demon Tweeks. They offer a wide range of suspension choices for the Focus, at very competitive pricing. Also, compared to previous experience, they do not charge an arm and a leg for shipping.

At the end of the day, I ordered a Koni kit, with 35mm lowering springs, and adjustable Koni Yellow shocks front and rear.

From left to right: front spring, front shock, rear spring, rear shock and at the bottom is Whiteline rear swaybar which I haven't found the time to install yet!

Also, for comparison, here is a shot of the Koni front spring vs the stock spring:

I am currently awaiting delivery on the Whiteline rear camber kit. I am hoping to get all this installed by early-mid November, except for the swaybar, which i will try and do myself on a spare weekend. Hopefully, these mods together will make a big difference to the handling of the car.

sumpPUMP · 28-10-2010, 03:42 PM

sounds awesome DZ! cant wait to hear how much better it handles

i am in a similar boat.
lowered springs - shocks getting trashed.
so i will need to upgrade my shocks aswell.. :(
more money spending...
given me some good ideas tho..
if you dont mind me askin the prices of your purchases?
thanks

DZFord · 28-10-2010, 04:00 PM

sumpa, I'd look at Koni Yellow's or Bilstein B8's, which are shortened and design to work with the lowered springs. I noticed that European parts recently started stocking the B8's (in addition to Demon Tweeks).

The key for me was to get a good quality suspension kit, delivered to Melbourne, for under $1000 (the Koni kit ticked all these boxes). This way, I didn't have to pay customs duty and GST. When I imported my rims, which were over the $1000 threshold, I got absolutely smashed by customs fees.

The rear sway bar was $189 inc delivery, a friend got me this price through his contacts on the Holden forums (thanks mate if you're reading this, even if you do drive a commodore).

The rear camber kit I just purchased through the Whiteline website.

#Russ#Es# · 28-10-2010, 04:03 PM

Those shocks look familiar

Despite my 3 month wait, I agree with DZ on the service Demon Tweeks provide. Their prices are extremely competitive (for suspension bits anyway).

sumpPUMP - I won't talk for DZ, but I bought the same shocks on their own for ~$995 shipped.

DZFord · 28-10-2010, 04:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by #Russ#Es#

Despite my 3 month wait, I agree with DZ on the service Demon Tweeks provide. Their prices are extremely competitive (for suspension bits anyway).

From payment to delivery, mine took 5 weeks. The parts were not in stock and had to come from the Koni factory first.

casabonka · 28-10-2010, 09:24 PM

$189 delivered for the sway bar is cheap! I paid $229 and had to collect from Autobahn myself

Looks the goods though - would love the do that to mine

sumpPUMP · 29-10-2010, 03:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DZFord

sumpa, I'd look at Koni Yellow's or Bilstein B8's, which are shortened and design to work with the lowered springs. I noticed that European parts recently started stocking the B8's (in addition to Demon Tweeks).

Great, they should do the trick. dno what it would be like to ship to WA but it sure sounds cheaper than from uk!

ive heard very good things about the B8's but im pretty sure i'll go for the cheapest option.

Thanks Russ, thats about what i was expecting.
any ideas on a rough price for installation?
prob gonna get brakes done the same time to get labour bit cheaper

#Russ#Es# · 29-10-2010, 04:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sumpPUMP

Great, they should do the trick. dno what it would be like to ship to WA but it sure sounds cheaper than from uk!

ive heard very good things about the B8's but im pretty sure i'll go for the cheapest option.

Thanks Russ, thats about what i was expecting.
any ideas on a rough price for installation?
prob gonna get brakes done the same time to get labour bit cheaper

No probs. I was quoted $370 from a local Pedders.

I found a good install guide online and grabbed a Haynes repair manual online so am doing it myself. Bought some spring compressors from Superdodge Auto for around $35 and now have a set of axle stands. Will just get an alignment done afterwards ($88) and can then head to my local twisty road for some 'testing'

Velociraptor82 · 29-10-2010, 04:40 PM

Is there any height difference between the Koni and Eibach springs?

DZFord · 29-10-2010, 10:12 PM

Yeah Eibach lower 30mm, and Koni lower 35mm. A whole 5mm difference!

There is also a Bilstein kit, they lower the car 40mm.

Pedders · 01-11-2010, 04:35 PM

Hi All,
I was having had a bit of a read here and thought I should mention a Pedders product that might be of interest to some of you. If you are looking for something with a little more adjustment in height and valvling. Pedders have our ExtremeXA's available for the Focus model range:

-2002-2005 P/No 1620002
-2005 -on P/No 1620056

Extreme XA's let you dial the car in to suit the driving style you want or need at any particular time. One minute the car can be low and tight while you are at a track day and then you can dial it down so that it is still low but the suspension is softer for the cruise home after the event.

For more info see the link below.
http://www.pedders.com.au/products/52

The products are currently available in all states, so have a chat with your local Pedders store if you think these might be the edge you are looking for.

Scott

#Russ#Es# · 01-11-2010, 04:53 PM

Thanks for the contribution Scott, I'm sure plenty would be interested in that setup. But doesn't this plug belong in the sponsors section?

Pedders · 01-11-2010, 05:07 PM

Never intended to offend.
I was going to write it on our page and just post a link to it. I don't know about you but I personally hate jumping from one link to the next so I threw the whole lot in here.

We actually released the ExtremeXA range some time ago on our sponsors page. When I noticed that you had had a quote from Pedders on what appeared to be coils then read further about the koni and bilstein options being talked about I thought I would drop in a comment simply to let those following the post know of another option.

Scott

#Russ#Es# · 02-11-2010, 09:18 AM

No offence taken. Agree its always best to minimise the number of places people look for this info, but just thought it may have been better to start a separate thread than tag onto one that wasn't really discussing different options.

Either way, the more options you guys can offer us Focus guys the better!!

Pedders · 02-11-2010, 11:42 AM

Point taken will keep in mind in future.
Scott

DZFord · 12-11-2010, 11:54 AM

Ok, well everything has been installed now. So far, I couldn't be happier. The shocks are all set to full soft, which is still apparently firmer than the original shocks, but still very comfortable. There has been a noticeable reduction in body roll around corners. Compared to the Eibach kit, the front has been raised slightly, whereas the rear has been lowered more, giving the car a more level look. The Eibach kit for some reason really dumped the front end but left the back end sitting higher than what I would have liked.

Front setup:

Rear setup:

Whilst it was in at Pedders I asked them to do a brake check. The front pads are only 25% worn, whereas the rear pads have only 1000km left on them! Something is definitely wrong there (and no, I haven't been driving around with my hand-brake on / doing hand-brake turns). I've ordered some new pads (EBC Ultimax for the rears) and will have to get those put in soon.

#Russ#Es# · 12-11-2010, 01:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DZFord

Ok, well everything has been installed now. So far, I couldn't be happier. The shocks are all set to full soft, which is still apparently firmer than the original shocks, but still very comfortable. There has been a noticeable reduction in body roll around corners. Compared to the Eibach kit, the front has been raised slightly, whereas the rear has been lowered more, giving the car a more level look. The Eibach kit for some reason really dumped the front end but left the back end sitting higher than what I would have liked.

Front setup:

Rear setup:

Whilst it was in at Pedders I asked them to do a brake check. The front pads are only 25% worn, whereas the rear pads have only 1000km left on them! Something is definitely wrong there (and no, I haven't been driving around with my hand-brake on / doing hand-brake turns). I've ordered some new pads (EBC Ultimax for the rears) and will have to get those put in soon.

Nice to see them in Dan. Can't wait to do the same!

Ride height looks good, the front will defintely be happier over driveways, etc.

Assume you ended up having the Whiteline camber kit installed at the same time?

I've heard of others with excessive rear pad wear, will have to take a look forthe thread.

Bring on a sunny weekend and a twisty road!

melbzetec · 12-11-2010, 01:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DZFord

Whilst it was in at Pedders I asked them to do a brake check. The front pads are only 25% worn, whereas the rear pads have only 1000km left on them! Something is definitely wrong there (and no, I haven't been driving around with my hand-brake on / doing hand-brake turns). I've ordered some new pads (EBC Ultimax for the rears) and will have to get those put in soon.

Interesting article (Letter reply???) today in the cars section of the Herald Sun saying that this is becoming more and more common in Japanese and European cars. Something about manufacturers trying to get more out of the back brakes, particularly at low speeds. They suggested nothing amiss with back brakes wearing first. Interesting

sumpPUMP · 12-11-2010, 03:23 PM

ive heard of a few xr5's with there brakes still grabbing after the brake pedal has been released. but never heard about your problem DZ!
i would definetly get pedders/mechanic/ford to look at why that is happening.

i just had my 60thou km service yesterday at ford and they chucked the car on their lil machine to check suspension, brakes, brake force distribrution (forward /backward & left/ right) etc... only 20 bucks and gives you percentages and pretty pictures:P dno if this is a new thing, but ive never had it done. maybe worth you checkin this out?

The forward tilt on the focus is intentional, I think its to do with the oversteer/understeer (and torque steer in the xr5). but you have a sway bar to correct all that now :P

lookin good tho DZ, good to hear your happy with the setup!

DZFord · 14-11-2010, 05:48 PM

Hi guys, thanks for the positive comments. Russ, I did get the camber kit installed at the same time. The rear camber looks much better now.

Interesting facts about the brakes. I will definitely get a mechanic to check it out. By the way - ebay UK - a set of rear EBC ultimax brake pads for < $50 inc. shipping. Bargain.