So after previously lowering a car with lowering springs I thought it would be just as easy to do on a new car I got.
Long story short my car is on jack stands in the garage and I am not able to put it back together. What are my options? Are there any mobile mechanics that deal with suspension? I called Lube mobile as their site says they do suspension however they've basically said I'm SOL.
Please help! I hate driving my mum's huge Prado!
What sort of car?
A fully sic car Bro, has to be a Camry with painted wheels.
“So I purchased a car from a dealer” - feb 2020
Still under warranty? Or.. was?
Volkswagen polo. I've looked up YouTube videos but I think I'm too far gone.
Can you at least get it onto a tow truck? They’ll take it to a mechanic
That was what I was thinking. The point of this post was more to find out is anyone has any suggestions for companies that would come out and do it or if I would have to get it towed. Thanks for your help 🙂
Cars today are made to precise engineering and high performance standards
Any tampering with springs can compromise the integrity of the car and cause significant issues
Hence only great fools that think they know better than highly qualified and very experienced engineers lower cars
It also significantly reduces the car's market value and appeal when selling
Not to mention the attention it gets from the Police!
So if you are having issues then you well deserve it…Suffer baby!
People have been modifying cars since they were invented. The manufacturers all build to a compromise of some sort. High enough to get over speed bumps and steep driveways easily, low enough to keep centre of gravity down, long enough travel and soft enough to be comfortable and handle reasonably well. If you want to handle better you need to put up with a less comfortable ride.
There’s a whole industry built on supplying springs and suspension components that change the compromises to the tastes of the owner. Sports cars get stiffer, lower suspension for handling (and to look like a race car), 4WDs get taller suspension for increased off road ability. Then there is different rate springs for load carrying ability all to cater for specific needs (and wants) the manufacturer has had to compromise on.
Don’t say the manufacturer caters for everyone when they make millions of cars to try to suit everyone.
@Euphemistic: I beg to differ
Cars today are not the generic builds they were 20 or 30 years ago
Car manufacturers have recognized these nice markets and offer various models to suit - particularly in the sports category.
@HeWhoKnows: Beg to differ all you want. There is a massive market in modifying cars - for a reason.
@HeWhoKnows: You are completely wrong and merely justifying your error further due to your ego:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b34UVQQt4-8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vFOJdovZbQY
Edit, actually, sports variants of cars are more likely to be modified further and 30 years ago, sports cars existed too.
Thought it was a WRX or BRZ from username… disappointed.
If it had been an 86, could have dropped some BRZ badges on. That would have made it look lower straight off.
That's illegal sorry
Put the original shit back on and take it to a mechanic… I know the shame of driving your car at the standard height may be unbearable, but you can always wear a face mask in the car to hide your face…
I honestly can't figure out how to put it together hence why I can't drive it to a mechanic. I had previously lowered a Mazda 3 myself but my VW polo seems very different. Probably some European thing.
I worked on my Audi and Nissan suspension. Apart from slightly more complicated setup and plenty more bushings it's not anywhere near as confusing. Put your panic aside and go through the information you have.
Take plenty of photos and perhaps detailed video the next time you are about to take something apart without a service manual. This will improve your confidence level but somethings are beyond your skills level so don't blindly do it.
What's the problem?
The nut behind the spanner…
Buy coilovers
Oh no, you have to drive a Prado for the weekend…
Was that necessary? I drive a VW polo because it is small. I absolutely hate the body roll and how big the Prado is but hey I guess this is ozbargain. Smart arses everywhere.
Smart arses can help you, if you humble yourself and give some pertinent info.
Maybe you could lower the Prado to stop the excessive body roll.
Anyone got a deal on burn cream?
Smart arses everywhere
You just have to look at youTube, another anonymous platform. You should post in LinkedIn for “seriousness”, see how you go there.
I absolutely hate the body roll
Then you should have bought a car that was designed with lower center of gravity to begin with…
Youtube tutorials?
no, skillshare
I am not able to put it back together.
What's the issue?
I need all these tools which I can't seem to find in stock anywhere. I bought tools today but like every single one is the wrong thing even though that's what YouTube said to buy haha
Is the issue with the macpherson struts?
How did you pull it apart without tools?
Installation is usually the reverse of removal. Put the OG gear back with whatever process you used to undo it.
I need all these tools
Can you give some specific information instead of the whiney, general responses.
You haven't even said if it's the front or rear suspension.
Do you need spring compressors? The spreader for the hub? There's no other special tools needed.
Also, your user profile doesn't say where you live.
How would anyone possibly help you with no details whatsoever.
Sounds like somebody decided to cut their springs which is illegal.
No. I bought lowering springs.
There are plenty more mobile mechanics than just LubeMobil. No doubt many desperate for work right now. Make some calls.
Why can you not put it back together? What is stopping you from merely reversing what you did to take the springs off? Why can you not put the lowered springs in as a reversal of the same? What is your make and model, year of your car?
Can you not use the internet as you did by posting on Ozbargain to look up car forums that have solutions for your problem, or posting in said forums asking what you said above with some more specific info?
Please take the time to explain yourself, otherwise just phone a mobile mechanic and pay through the nose for them to fix it for you, installing springs are not rocket science.
Oh, and so sad that you are relegated (by your own doing) to driving your mum's HUGE Prado, that she so graciously lets you drive as a favour to you. Its almost as bad as if you didn't have a back up vehicle. Perhaps you still have a bicycle lying around, or a the bus service, even walk if you are so concerned.
It's not just Ozbargain and smart arses, it's the internet in general and in this case precipitated by you not appreciating the fact that you have an alternative vehicle to drive. Yes, you are not used to a large car, but you are a human being and adaptation is why homo sapiens have managed to migrate to the 4 corners of the world with nearly 8 million population.
What year of VW Polo is yours?
NSW rego, 2021 model.
Guess this is different to the car the OP bought from the dealer last February.
@kerfuffle: He still hasn't replied with the year, let alone the specifics of the problem, I've lost the will to help him.
Old skool Lubemobile ad: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K0-Nw2aA9jo
And yet we still rely on auto correct to mess up our words, the irony.
how about a photo of the current disassembled state, showing the step you can't do
.
Have you tried one of the home services/tradies websites. Like Hipages, Airtasker, Servicesseeking or Oneflare
I think the last two have specifically services under mechanic
You can find links here. https://www.choice.com.au/home-improvement/building-and-reno….
Just put up what you need done, details of whats not working for you, and ask for a quote to fix.
You might not get an exact quote but might find some mechanic tradie, or even some home mechanic who will come over and fix it for you.
Post on a Forum specific to that car, should be able to help you find someone that knows what they're doing.
I never did mess with springs myself, was worried about seriously injuring/killing myself.
Have you taken the springs out and can’t get the new ones back in? Maybe you need a spring compressor, or check out YouTube for diy alternatives.
If you can’t get springs back in, you may be able to get the rest back together enough to roll it onto a truck.
Fronts or rears or both?
Rears should be straightforward.
No, not straight forward, more of a vertical arrangement on the back springs…
Added to dad joke thread. Cheers
Should ban yourself of carwork if you have NFI
Hang on, direct suspension should equal better handling, no?
What is the actual problem? Polos are so easy to do springs on.
Your post is really crap. No mention of what car or year model. No mention of actual problem.
Methinks it's a 2021 Volkswagen Polo
what step are you stuck on. Also attach a pic of the step you are stuck at.
e.g are you having trouble getting the strut top back on with the spring or are you unable to lift the strut back and find the holes
suspension is easy but there can be some additional tools required
Sounds like an expensive repair bro
Save money and DIY. Buy a decent workshop manual first. They break jobs down into smaller bits that you do one at a time.
Imagine the feeling you'll have when you overcome this setback!
Normally I agree but could be dangerous advice in this instance. Given the OP has no idea how to put something back together he has disassembled and can't even point to a step he is stuck on, it doesn't sound like he has much practical understanding for how suspension works. As much as I encourage DIY and people learning through trial and error, suspension and brakes are two areas where if you screw it up it could cost yours or other's lives. They shouldn't be done DIY unless you've got a really good understanding of them and if you want to learn be guided by someone with experience the first few times.
Speak to a mechanic. The job may be significantly quicker with the car on a hoist so the cost of a tow to a mechanic may be offset by less labour doing the job.
Why don’t you look at the side you didn’t take apart?
Problem exists between steering wheel and chair.
Lube mobile… hahaha this is for people who don't know where the engine is.
You will have to place the vehicle on a trailer and take to a specific suspension specialist.
Plus, it is illegal and unsafe to lower your vehicle.
"it is illegal to lower your vehicle"
maybe in COVID central
OK in SA
https://www.sa.gov.au/topics/driving-and-transport/vehicles/…
.
It's not illegal to lower your vehicle as long as you follow the legal requirements that apply in that state. The legal requirements are there to stop it being done in a unsafe manner. Lowering a vehicle in most cases improves handling due to lowering of center of gravity. Ride comfort may be affected but usually when people I know lower their suspension they actually upgrade the quality of the suspension components so comfort is not decreased to much. I personally will never lower a car as in regional Australia our roads are that rough we need the extra suspension travel for comfort.
it is illegal and unsafe to lower your vehicle.
That is totally incorrect (which is fairly normal for you).
Acquaint yourself with the following NSW RMS and National documents:
Light vehicle modifications manual: Suspension and ride height
VSB14
NCOP11
ADR43
and the NVSR
If you don't know then just don't write anything.
Ok no assumptions…
What tools do you not have which you can’t get easily and what step are you on?
I had a quick look on a few forums and it seams pretty standard on the procedure, but without any insights, we are throwing darts in the dark
Hey guys. I have a problem. Long story short, I did something wrong and now I can't fix it.
I really don't know what to do.
I tried asking Ozbargain for advice, but all I got was people asking me for more details.
Asking for more details isn't what I need. I need help.
Can anyone help me resolve this terrible issue?
Yes WR19ZZ, stop being so disingenuous.
What sort of car?