Suspension & tire stuff

[Michael Spiers <mikes@specnet.com>]

I have a question I think I know the answer to about suspension stuff, but I
wanted to throw it out for a few knowledgeable folks (Graydon, Scott, Eric,
Jeff, et al.) to respond to.  I've come into a set of springs that will lower
my '87 5kTQ somewheres around an inch & a half. The first question is, will the
stock shox I've got in the car right now still work?  I know, I know, I should
replace them too, but the entire front end needs to be rebuilt (every bushing,
sway bar, control arm, etc.; it's been a rough winter) and I've got three bent
wheels & 2 blown tires, so if I can wait 'till later to do the shox & struts
when I'm in a more financially stable position that would be most beneficial.
 I have no idea what's in there, but they were replaced just before I bought
the car in October of '94, and I'd guess they're Boge, the car lived at the
Audi dealer before I got my hands on it.

Second off, lowering the car with springs won't change the actual stance of the
car any more than say loading it full of crap with a stock suspension will it?
 I can bottom out the suspension on the car right now in every well (pick the
car up by one tire with a hydraulic jack) without rubbing fenders, I'm assuming
lowering the car will not change that.  I don't want to loose the ability to
cram five 200 pound guys & all their crap for a ski weekend into it over a
silly thing like cornerability.

Thirdly, does anyone have a size chart for Dunlop tires?  I'm running the
D40M2's right now in a 215/45 17 config.  Since I blew two of 'em, and a third
has a nice gash in it, I'm thinking a larger tire may be a smart choice (not
getting 17's in the first place would have been the better choice, but I
digress.)  Calculation wise, a 215/50 17 wouldn't be any wider, but can anyone
check the charts & tell me if in reality that's true?

TIA for any & all info!

-- 
-Mike
mikes@specnet.com
mks107@psuvm.psu.edu
87 5000CS TQ - Metropolitan Washington, D.C.
84 5000S - Boulder, Colorado
90 80 - Bethesda, Maryland
(hunting for the elusive Lago Blue '91 200Q)