newbie- lowering citroen zx-alot :) how?

kniterider · Unread post by **kniterider** » 24 Sep 2009, 11:17

hi, im ross. iv just got a citroen zx 1.9 turbo diesel estate for a runner to work and back.

now im wanting to have atinker with her (i cant help myself im afraid costs me a bleeding fortune) but the car only cost me £150 so i dont mind having a go

now i like the euro look and fancy doing something different, but i want to lower the car but cant afford coilovers so am looking at springs, or changing the shocks.

now i can only find springs that lower -35mm...and thats no good

now i dont wanna be cutting springs as thats dangerouse, and i wouldnt feel safe doing it!!!

so what are my options?

i know the tortion bar can be used for lowering the car, but do i need to change the springs?

iv been told to use smaller cc petrol lowering springs from the ax as this will sink her closer to the ground being the heavier diesel , and also been told to look out for different suspension from a car that will fit onto mine.

an example being- vauxhal nova suspension onto a vauxhal astra.

is there such a likeness with the zx?

any help much apreciated

Ross

red_dwarfers · Unread post by **red_dwarfers** » 24 Sep 2009, 18:52

If you wanted to lower suspension with ease you should have bought a Xantia and adjusted the height corrector link on the anti roll bar, 10 minute job!

Im not really up to speed on the workings of suspension lowering but I do know that the ZX Volcane's were lowered from factory, whether thats enough?

uncle buck · Unread post by **uncle buck** » 24 Sep 2009, 19:37

Don't do it......that's a very big can of worms to open on an old car.....rusted seized bolts...lost skin....etc etc...

Get a look at a Haynes Manual to see what's involved.....then forget about it & spend the money on Beer instead

Cheers

rmunns · Unread post by **rmunns** » 24 Sep 2009, 20:50

I agree. Been there, done that (not on Citroen, however) been lucky.

kniterider · Unread post by **kniterider** » 25 Sep 2009, 09:50

lol well iv got a second hand rear torsion bar to go on (670 quid) if i was to do it should i do it on or off the car? id say on but off would be easier? i have access to a small amount of penertrating oil (believe its banned now tho as it was so bloody strong!) iv had a look at a "how too" on the net and it doesnt look "too bad" what would a garage charge to do this?

and money on beer already spent, but when i drunkenly fall over and look up the cars even higher! lol

also am i rite in thinking the front springs from a pug 306 will fit?

vince · Unread post by **vince** » 25 Sep 2009, 19:05

Hi Kniterider,

I used to run a lowered ZX quite a few years ago. The rear torsion bar is adjustable height wise but as you say its the fronts you will have trouble finding anything for. I will send you a PM on that issue

deian · Unread post by **deian** » 25 Sep 2009, 21:16

My cousin is the guru on ZX/306 rear suspensions, i can pick his brains if you want, I remember he opens something up and moves it to another position, i will get more details.

To be honest I wouldn't recommend it myself, like many have said it will open a can of worms, in one way, it 'may' invalidate your insurance if you have a crash (if it's lowered on the front only, you wouldn't be changing bits on the back).

Above all your whole suspension geometry would change slightly enough for it to wear out certain components faster than before as well as the tyre wear issue. I don't meant to preach an exact science but it is know to happen on a certain scale.

springs from a pug 306 should fit as they had the same chassis and engines.

so your car is £150 and the torsion bar is £670? my goodness!

As for the torsion back, shove it in with the whole subframe lowered, you can then take off the relevant parts, and have a look at the whole way it works, looks complicated from below, but it makes sense with a bit of daylight.

uncle buck · Unread post by **uncle buck** » 25 Sep 2009, 22:53

Well if you've tried Beer & that hasn't worked I guess there's no stopping you....

The pictures in the link below show how to lower a 306 rear Axel....the ZX is the same...

http://www.306gti6.com/forum/showthread ... 880&page=1

Cheers.

vince · Unread post by **vince** » 26 Sep 2009, 05:53

Praise the lowered

kniterider · Unread post by **kniterider** » 28 Sep 2009, 09:21

lol at 670 i meant i got a torsion bar for £60 lmao it'd gone in the bin if it had cost me that much!

i understand about wear issues, iv got a mk5 escort sat on its bum and rtealise it eats lower arms and tyres.

as for insurance id inform them of it being lowered so no issues there

thanks for the pm vince il give you a ring

cheers for confirming about the front springs as well people

just a case of fitting the rear bar now when iv collected it and having a go iv looked at guides and they dont look "to bad" but id rather let someone else do it lol

Unread post by **myglaren** » 28 Sep 2009, 17:22

It may not apply in your case but I believe that torsion bars need to be preloaded, best to check before you get too far with the reassembly.