lowering a 4200

[jasst]

Think I might have to investigate having this done, car doesn't feel as planted as I imagine it should.

 

[Caldy999]

Being new to Maserati ownership, I don't know if my car is standard or lowered. Can someone please tell me how many threads should be visible on a standard set-up below the spring seat?

I've taken some measurements today and the results are:

Front N/s Front O/s Rear N/s Rear o/s
Mms from ground to bottom of wheel arch 687 685 707 693
Visible threads below lower support collar 55 56 80 85

So it's not evenly set - does this imply that an attempt has been made to corner weight it?

I have a set of H&R sport springs on order so I'll even things up during fitting.

 

[pj_sibley]

Thread revival alert....

Been reading this thread with interest and assume that other owners have subsequently attempted to adjust the ride height themselves or gone down the Emblem route (still an option?).

I presume the DIY route simply requires the c-spanners linked out of one of the posts and a lot of patience? Are there any recommended ride heights to work to?

 

[conaero]

You will struggle like bu99ery to get the C spanners to turn the nuts, I've tried on two separate cars and could never get them to budge.

I would say if you are going to get it, get hold of some quality C spanner a the cheap eBay items just don't work.

 

[Zep]

What Matt said. Because the spring seat doesn’t have a washer in it you can’t turn them with the spring under tension. You will need to clean the threads in the shock and put spring compressors on it. Really only possible off the car.

 

[pj_sibley]

Thanks, appreciate all the advice and tips.

 

[conaero]

I have heard using diesel as a lubricant works but yes, off the car and release the tension with spring compressors.

 

[pj_sibley]

I have heard using diesel as a lubricant works but yes, off the car and release the tension with spring compressors.

Yes, I’ve been advised that diesel or ATF are both good options for the lubricant in this instance. I have a set of spring compressors and have used them plenty of times before thankfully.

 

[gillis]

I tried to turn a front shock with a c spanner today. Had the spring compressed. Completely stuck. Tried all kinds of lubricants. Eventually I broke the c spanner in half.
I am not going to further touch it. Thinking of buying a spring set from FD. Only question I need to have answered is the combination of spacers (15mm front and 25mm rear , also from FD) and a spring set. you get issues with wheels scraping the arches or not?

 

[rockits]

I had my 4200 dropped to GS spec last year @ AV.

Voicey said it was unlikely they would shift on the car.....he was right. He had to take them out to adjust.

Looks much nice now though as a stock 4200 always sits too high IMHO.

 

[TimR]

25mm on the rear is alot...!
I have 15mm front and 17 or 18 on the rear ( I forget exactly) I was surprised to see that the front looks so out there. My wheels arent OEM, so it might be something here...the tread is outside the arch line...!
FD springs will lower the car.
Others on here have said you can adjust ride/set-up height but Im not exactly sure how without changing preload... You cannot adjust the shock length, that much is clear...
They supply a recommended set-up sheet. Id email them for some more info...

 

[gillis]

25mm on the rear is alot...!
I have 15mm front and 17 or 18 on the rear ( I forget exactly) I was surprised to see that the front looks so out there. My wheels arent OEM, so it might be something here...the tread is outside the arch line...!
FD springs will lower the car.
Others on here have said you can adjust ride/set-up height but Im not exactly sure how without changing preload... You cannot adjust the shock length, that much is clear...
They supply a recommended set-up sheet. Id email them for some more info...

I just received an email from larinisystems where they told me that their springset in combination with the wheelspacer set is not giving issues.
Should I trust them and continue?

 

[TimR]

I just received an email from larinisystems where they told me that their springset in combination with the wheelspacer set is not giving issues.
Should I trust them and continue?

Absolutely....!

 

[pj_sibley]

I run 15mm spacers front and rear with longer bolts. To be honest, with the stock alloys I wouldn’t go any thicker on the rear spacers, as the arches are now the limiting factor. Do need to reduce those arch gaps though...tempted to go with adjusting the lower spring seat but sounds like a set of H&R or FD springs is probably an easier option!!

 

[TimR]

Dunno about easier...
By most accounts, you'll need to remove the shocks from the car to get the stock units set up to lower the car. The same as you would to fit the FD kit...FD offer an "optimised" spring rate. The coil is deliberately shorter to allow the car to drop...
On both counts, it will likely require shocks out !

Have you got a link for the H&R springs Pete..?

 

[pj_sibley]

I figured it would also be a good opportunity to renew the top mounts as well, so shocks out doesn’t seem like a bad option in any case (have done this job on a number of cars previously).

Having the correct length springs in there has to be better than compressing the stock items by adjusting the spring seat right? Need to start looking into options...

 

[Zep]

I figured it would also be a good opportunity to renew the top mounts as well, so shocks out doesn’t seem like a bad option in any case (have done this job on a number of cars previously).

Having the correct length springs in there has to be better than compressing the stock items by adjusting the spring seat right? Need to start looking into options...

Whatever spring you end up with it will need to be under some level of preload so it doesn’t become unseated at the bottom of the travel. The later 4200 and GS (and MC victory I believe) used the same springs with different spring seat positions to give the desired ride height so it is a choice rather than a requirement in the end.