[V8] lowered suspension

[Kent McLean]

Scott Phillips wrote:
> Kent, 
> 
> Thought you had the backup light deal sorted? Still have an Issue? What
> about a stupid microswitch / relay on the position of the shifter itself? 
> 
> The Springs: yes you need to remove the strut assembly. Yes it will screw
> with the alignment. On my "Stock" V8 distance from the ground to the lower
> lip on the front wheel well is 27" I'm running 205/55/16 Tires. Distance
> from the ground to the lower edge of the black part of the front bumper
> (measured at the license plate bracket) 17.5"
> 
> I think that the specific issue with lowered or raised cars is the bumper
> height.  More on the NHTSA ruling here:
> http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/rules/rulings/lsv/lsv.html#lsv46 

I know how to solve the back-up light problem. I just haven't gotten around
to fixing it. Actually, I tried, but I couldn't find the back-up light
switch on the transmission while my lowered V8 was up on ramps. I didn't
know exactly where to look; now I do. But the ramps don't give much room
to crawl under and work on it, so I may have to jack it up onto stands.
PITA.

As for the lowered suspension, yes I found a persnickety inspector. The
car is pre-1996, so it isn't yet in NH's system as having failed. But
with lots of lights glowing on the dash (brake pads, brake, airbag, and
more), failing because it was lowered surprised me.  I'm going to try
to find a "better" inspector after I fix the back-up lights.

That will take care of the V8.  I'm still weighing my options on the '91
20V Avant. I don't want to downgrade the brakes.  I think if I clean up
the rotors I have (the PO says they're only a year old) and put new pads
in, I might be able to sneak by.

Stay tuned.

-- 
Kent McLean
1999 A4 Avant, V6 Tiptronic
1991 200 TQA #3, with mods
1990 V8 w/5-speed and other mods
gone: '91 200 TQA x2, '94 100 S Avant, '89 200 TQ "Bad Puppy"