mk5 cortina rules 0 Posted April 10, 2011 hi all ive lowered my 2 door mk5 by 2" all round and it has a 2.3 rear axle but when i jack the rear up or put it on my 2 poster ramp at work the rear springs become lose so you can move them freely have i done something wrong in fitting them or is there some thing i can do to stop the axle from going down as much as it will fail the mot as it is any help would be great as its almost mot time thanks Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
FKLGLS 43 Posted April 10, 2011 You could fit check straps to the dampers so that they don't extend to their full length allowing the springs to come loose. :thumbup: Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bortaf 83 Posted April 10, 2011 Shouldn't fail the MOT really cos to check the rear bearings they jack up from the diff so there's no axle droop to worry about unless your MOT tester specificly tests for it or uses a 2 post ramp (never had a MOT on a 2 poster?) the esasyest way is straps stopping the axle droping, there are specifics straps made out there or make some using seat belt webbing ;) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
littlenewt2067 33 Posted April 11, 2011 When I built a cortina based kit car Many moons ago, I used shorter dampers, I think they were triumph spitfire or herald. I don't know whether They would be suitable on the bigger cortina?? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dannymac 0 Posted April 11, 2011 cable tie the springs on whatever end comes off.That should be ok. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dgo 66 Posted April 11, 2011 cable tie the springs on whatever end comes off.That should be ok. Definitely a case for shorter dampers. If you call Spax or someone like that with the spec they should be able to sort you out. Worrying though, who's springs are you using? They're usually long enough. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mk5 cortina rules 0 Posted April 12, 2011 cable tie the springs on whatever end comes off.That should be ok. Definitely a case for shorter dampers. If you call Spax or someone like that with the spec they should be able to sort you out. Worrying though, who's springs are you using? They're usually long enough. im useing lowering springs form burton power Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dgo 66 Posted April 12, 2011 cable tie the springs on whatever end comes off.That should be ok. Definitely a case for shorter dampers. If you call Spax or someone like that with the spec they should be able to sort you out. Worrying though, who's springs are you using? They're usually long enough. im useing lowering springs form burton power Sorry to ask the obvious but have you spoken to Burton, they're usually quite helpful Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MK5CortinaEstate 45 Posted April 12, 2011 Had the same problem on my old MK5 estate. I fitted straps made from seatbelts. Worked a treat. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sheffieldcortinacentre 532 Posted April 12, 2011 you'll have to use some form of strap/cable tie etc as the lowered spring is physically shorter than a std spring. useing shorter shockers will help but they'll be pulled against there ends causeing poss damage to them. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dgo 66 Posted April 12, 2011 you'll have to use some form of strap/cable tie etc as the lowered spring is physically shorter than a std spring. useing shorter shockers will help but they'll be pulled against there ends causeing poss damage to them. The standard rear shocks act as spring retainers, why would shorter ones with shorter springs be any different/worse? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Danish 294 Posted April 12, 2011 Rover SD1s did this - if you jacked up the rear end the springs fell out. :shocking: Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sheffieldcortinacentre 532 Posted April 12, 2011 (edited) because the spring is shorter than the gap when the axle is at full drop if the body is supporting the wieght rather than the axle, corsa's have the same prob when lowered. the op has fitted 2in lowering springs on the rear of a mk3/4/5 the coil spring is near vertical unlike the frts, therefore they are 2 inch shorter in free length from memory std are approx 10 in & only require slightly compressing to fit, so if say the gap between axle & body on full drop with shocker attached is say 9 in, then the 2in lowered (8in) spring is an inch shorter than gap & falls out! as the rear shock doesn't fit inside the spring like the frt . Edited April 12, 2011 by sheffieldcortinacentre Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mk5 cortina rules 0 Posted April 14, 2011 thanks for the idea and help people Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cortinapaul 7 Posted June 6, 2011 (edited) Shouldnt be a problem for test lots of landrovers have dis-locating springs for axel travel :thumbup: Edited June 6, 2011 by cortinapaul Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites