'06 Convertible Lowering question! I'm stuck!
 

I am in the middle of trying to lower the rear end of my Vert and I am stuck! The chassis strengthening bar won't let me lower the rear differential low enough to pop the old springs out! I tried searching, but no one says anything about this! Do I have to remove these bars too? Or am I missing something simple?

Anyone around, I would sure appreciate the help! Thanks!!!

Where do you have your jack stands/jack placed???

I have them in front of the lower control arm, off to the side of the chassis bar...

I would move the jacks to a different position. I'm not really sure, but that's probably the first thing I would try. If you moved them forward some (rebrace the back, so it doesnt fall) you may be able to get the backend higher, that may help.

I finally figured it out with some help! I jacked up one side which lowered the other and was able to get them out...

The problem I have now is that it lowered the back end quite a bit more than I was expecting! It's close to a 1/2 inch lower in the back than in the front now and I thought it was suppose to level it out (I got the Roush Rear Springs). I am not sure why that is...

That does look a little strange... needs to be lowered in the front too.

Well, the whole point was so that I wouldn't have to lower the front too (I just wanted to level it out), but it looks like I may have to... :(

Wouldn't this stance cause excess wheel spin and possible front end lifting? It doesn't look balanced, and I doubt it would feel balanced either. How about braking? Does the front dive in a lot more, now that the front suspension is softer and higher than the rear? I would get the front suspension changed both for looks and balance. Good Luck. I’m 8 months away from lowering mine.

I haven't driven it yet, but I agree... I'll drive it around tomorrow and see how it feels...

Wait, you only installed the rear springs? If so, thats your problem. The front will be about even after you lower it.


And, time for some Adjustable LCA's or UCA.

Once you get it all set up, I'd be interested to hear what you think of the ride vs. stock and how it manages speed bumps and the like.

Myself and another 06' Vert I know of did this same exact swap...mine seems to be level and that was what I was after as well. As far as handling, braking, wheel spin...I have noticed a slight improvement in handling as the springs are progressive. I have put a couple thousand miles on mine since the swap and have no complaints.

http://img256.imageshack.us/img256/9...shop004yj8.jpg

Been there, done that. You have to remove the bars. I believe there are 2 or 3 bolts in the front, maybe 2 in the back, but the hard one is the support bar that goes straight up. You will need about 18" of extension on your socket to reach it. The bars look like an upside down "T".

I did it with a Saleen spring set and had to take them out to get the springs out. Otherwise the axle drops and rests on the support bars, which are not designed to handle that weight!

I also put in the heavier front swaybar from Saleen and have had to re-tighten the brackets twice in about 5000 miles, even though I used Loctite. May have to go to the permanent Loctite, but hate the thought of it.
Whole ride is noticeably flatter in turns, but it is bumpier/harsher, but not unmanageable. Just have to take speed bumps slower. No problems with bottoming out though.

Okay, I finally drove it around a bit and washed her up... So far, I can definitely tell the back end is stiffer, but not *bad* stiff... Just noticable (and also cause I am trying to feel differences)... Over speed bumps, it's tighter and not as *spongy* as the front ones. Overall I am liking them and after I drove it around a bit, I took some more pictures...

http://www.stocktonstangs.com/joom/i...emp/jay-01.jpg

http://www.stocktonstangs.com/joom/i...emp/jay-02.jpg

Also, I was able to get the stock rear springs out without removing the bar, thank God! It was a bit of a trick, but it worked!

Looks pretty level in those pictures.

I lowered my convertible a couples weeks ago and i just started getting a loud clunking sound in the front everytime I hit a bump. I'm guessing
I have to retighten my front sway bar. Any other ideas?

Yes, it's probably the end links. Re-tighten them with some Loctite.