405 lowering springs ....

This is the Forum for all your Peugeot Technical Questions, Problems or Advice.

Moderator: RichardW

Post Reply
Neil34
Posts: 10
Joined: 26 Dec 2008, 18:52
Location:
My Cars:

405 lowering springs ....

Post by Neil34 »

Hi all. I'm thinking about lowering my peugeot 405 (1993 SRDT) by about 30mm. I've read that I should be ok keeping the existing shocks and just fitting the new springs... is this correct?

Also, how easy is it to change the springs front and back?

Cheers, Neil.
jgra1
(Donor 2021)
Posts: 4625
Joined: 27 Nov 2005, 19:07
Location: Kent / Susssex
My Cars: 2010 C5 X7 2.0 hdi 160 exc auto
MG TF 135
Boxer II 2.2 camper conversion
BMW R1200RT
BMW K1300 R
Honda V F R 800 5thG / MT500 Armstrong
x 39

Post by jgra1 »

no springs at the back Neil :D
Neil34
Posts: 10
Joined: 26 Dec 2008, 18:52
Location:
My Cars:

Post by Neil34 »

oops sorry i bit of a beginner at this. i assumed there was 4 springs because i've seen lowering kits with 4 springs in them.

so how does the back get lowered then?
jgra1
(Donor 2021)
Posts: 4625
Joined: 27 Nov 2005, 19:07
Location: Kent / Susssex
My Cars: 2010 C5 X7 2.0 hdi 160 exc auto
MG TF 135
Boxer II 2.2 camper conversion
BMW R1200RT
BMW K1300 R
Honda V F R 800 5thG / MT500 Armstrong
x 39

Post by jgra1 »

from memory you turn the torshion bars a click or two :)
I have never done it.. but it's a relatively easy way of lwering a car I think..
well, its free...

i say relatively, meaning a few hours , jack axle stands wheels off to begin with :)

john
Neil34
Posts: 10
Joined: 26 Dec 2008, 18:52
Location:
My Cars:

Post by Neil34 »

hi. thanx for your help.

i put the same question up on another forum and had a reply warning me about "drive shafts falling apart due to mis-alignment & the gear box diff bearings failing due to the extra stress of running at a different angle"

does this sound tangible? i only want to drop it 30mm!

i was thinking of just changing the springs on the front at first. i've been told that up to 30mm is ok with the original shocks...

i'd be interested to know what you think. neil.
504GLD
Posts: 91
Joined: 07 Oct 2005, 20:25
Location:
My Cars:

Post by 504GLD »

I always thought the 405 sat in a rather elegant ride position. Not sure lowering it would do it any favours in the looks or handling. It always seems to suggest the passengers are in need of a calorie controlled diet!
405's have fantasic suspension, one of the reasons they still make them so perhaps a new set of alloys with very low profile tyres would be a more suitable option.
jgra1
(Donor 2021)
Posts: 4625
Joined: 27 Nov 2005, 19:07
Location: Kent / Susssex
My Cars: 2010 C5 X7 2.0 hdi 160 exc auto
MG TF 135
Boxer II 2.2 camper conversion
BMW R1200RT
BMW K1300 R
Honda V F R 800 5thG / MT500 Armstrong
x 39

Post by jgra1 »

yep, they do seem to sit quite low at the back...

:)
Neil34
Posts: 10
Joined: 26 Dec 2008, 18:52
Location:
My Cars:

Post by Neil34 »

504GLD wrote: perhaps a new set of alloys with very low profile tyres would be a more suitable option.
i have just fitted new alloys with low prof tyres and it looks too high now - which is exactly why i was thinking about lowering it!!

but by only 30mm - do you think that would really have such a bad effect on the ride?

neil.
evilally
(Donor 2020)
Posts: 742
Joined: 17 Apr 2008, 22:39
Location: Clydebank, Near Glasgow.
My Cars:
x 2

Post by evilally »

Would it be possible to fit springs and dampers from an Mi16? I assume that would lower and stiffen things a bit. I do find the 405 TD a bit rolly polly and would like to sharpen it up a bit.
'96 405 1.6 GLX with 306 GTI engine on Cat cams @ 195bhp

'05 RenaultSport Clio 182 Cup, 102k

'97 406 1.9TD, 314k.
User avatar
CitroJim
A very naughty boy
Posts: 49518
Joined: 30 Apr 2005, 23:33
Location: Paggers
My Cars: Bluebell the AX, Polly the C3 Picasso, Pix the Nissan Pixo, Propel the duathlon bike, TCR Pro the road bike and Fuji the TT bike...
x 6156
Contact:

Post by CitroJim »

evilally wrote:Would it be possible to fit springs and dampers from an Mi16? I assume that would lower and stiffen things a bit. I do find the 405 TD a bit rolly polly and would like to sharpen it up a bit.
Mi16 torsion bars and ARB should help and maybe, even, a set of estate bars would cut the mustard too. Note that the rear set-up on a Mi16x4 is totally different. It's hydropneumatic ah la Citroen. In fact the only Pug ever to be so equipped. Actually, if you could use the rear end of an Mi16x4, all your problems are sorted in one fell swoop; have whatever height you want and with suitable sphere selection, any stiffness you want too :D

I've owned two 405s and yes, comfy but the back-end was like jelly and absolutely hopeless for towing - one reason I crossed over to Citroen!

The rear axle is much like a 205's axle and whilst it's quite possible to strip it to change bars and lower on the splines, in practice you'll find the whole job a complete nightmare as everything will be all nicely corroded together and not at all willing to come apart :twisted: Last one I did required much Plus Gas and lots of brute force and ignorance meted out from a sledge hammer to assist in disassembly!
Jim

Runner, cyclist, time triallist, duathlete, Citroen AX fan and the CCC Citroenian 'From A to Z' Columnist...
evilally
(Donor 2020)
Posts: 742
Joined: 17 Apr 2008, 22:39
Location: Clydebank, Near Glasgow.
My Cars:
x 2

Post by evilally »

Thanks Jim, by the sounds of it I think I'll leave it as it is. I'll just have to accept it's an a to b machine and not a b-road warrior!
'96 405 1.6 GLX with 306 GTI engine on Cat cams @ 195bhp

'05 RenaultSport Clio 182 Cup, 102k

'97 406 1.9TD, 314k.
User avatar
Xaccers
Posts: 7654
Joined: 07 Feb 2007, 23:46
Location: Milling around Milton Keynes
My Cars:
x 184

Post by Xaccers »

evilally wrote:Thanks Jim, by the sounds of it I think I'll leave it as it is. I'll just have to accept it's an a to b machine and not a b-road warrior!
Well, you could always sell it and buy a 1.9TD VSX Xantia, or even an Activa :)
1.9TD+ SX Xantia Estate (Cassy) running on 100% veg
1.9TD SX Xantia Hatchback (Jenny) running on 100% veg for sale
Laguna II 2.0dCi Privilege (Monty)

DIY sphere tool
Post Reply