Omega Owners Forum

Chat Area => General Car Chat => Topic started by: F1 9LFG on 05 February 2013, 20:30:46

Title: Comments please people! Astra H Problem - Suspension
Post by: F1 9LFG on 05 February 2013, 20:30:46
Hi all

so I ordered some coilovers so I could improve the look and handling - also giving me the chance to lift the car up when loaded up for camping trips etc.

I ordered the kit - gave my Astra spec, told them I wanted the kit that lowers 20-60mm and they supplied me the 'correct' kit for my car. (Astra H 1.9 CDTI estate 05)

(http://i1191.photobucket.com/albums/z467/sniper441/Coilovers.jpg)

Got it all fitted and was shocked as the ride is awful, it's set to almost it's highest setting yet it's at least 45mm lower than standard - second to that it bottoms out constandly, as well as making horid 'spring creaking' sounding noises when corning/braking.

Looking at the springs it looks as though they are the incorrect rating for my Astra as they are almost totally compressed with no people in the car and less than 1/4 tank of diesel?!

Front (note- what use is the 'helper' spring when its totally compressed when jacked off the floor?!)

(http://i1191.photobucket.com/albums/z467/sniper441/spring1.jpg)

Rear (with only 2.5'' of travel no wonder it's always bottoming out, and yes I have trimmed the bump-stops a little)

(http://i1191.photobucket.com/albums/z467/sniper441/spring3.jpg)

Now the seller informs me the pictures look right and thats 'how they are' - Please tell me I am not alone in thinking this is WRONG!

Cheers guys & girls

Rob  :y
Title: Re: Comments please people! Astra H Problem - Suspension
Post by: 05omegav6 on 05 February 2013, 20:36:02
Should the secondary spring not be inside the primary one rather than beneath it :-\

Personally I would refit whatever was fitted before and send that lot back as it sounds like it isn't fit for purpose :-\
Title: Re: Comments please people! Astra H Problem - Suspension
Post by: F1 9LFG on 05 February 2013, 20:47:35
Hi al,

These were fitted by a garage - when I collect the car they said they very much doubt it's the correct kit - they gave me a letter stating this to cover themselves!!

worried now but looks like its all coming off and the originals going back on :(
Title: Re: Comments please people! Astra H Problem - Suspension
Post by: 05omegav6 on 05 February 2013, 21:15:22
Did I read that right?

A garage fitted them, inspite of suspecting that they might be the wrong parts :o

I hope they didn't charge you :-\
Title: Re: Comments please people! Astra H Problem - Suspension
Post by: F1 9LFG on 05 February 2013, 21:18:52
Did I read that right?

A garage fitted them, inspite of suspecting that they might be the wrong parts :o

I hope they didn't charge you :-\

Yes - the kit is for an astra - no doubting that - but its the style of spring a ''low rider'' boy racer would fit to show off in on southend sea front - perfectly safe according to them...!
Title: Re: Comments please people! Astra H Problem - Suspension
Post by: 05omegav6 on 05 February 2013, 21:27:41
If its creaking and groaning then something isn't right :-\
Title: Re: Comments please people! Astra H Problem - Suspension
Post by: Seth on 05 February 2013, 21:41:37
Should the secondary spring not be inside the primary one rather than beneath it :-\

My thoughts too :-\
Title: Re: Comments please people! Astra H Problem - Suspension
Post by: symes on 05 February 2013, 21:46:53
Should the secondary spring not be inside the primary one rather than beneath it :-\

My thoughts too :-\
No it should'nt- NASCAR and Stock car racers use those small springs-Assister's-  :y That kit drops car 20=60mm Would have been better off keeping seandard springs and using donuts on rear springs for Towing :y
Title: Re: Comments please people! Astra H Problem - Suspension
Post by: F1 9LFG on 05 February 2013, 21:47:38
That would be possible on this kit chaps, there is a shim/washer that goes between the two and that's also how it's pictured on their website

Cheers :y
Title: Re: Comments please people! Astra H Problem - Suspension
Post by: F1 9LFG on 05 February 2013, 21:50:48
Should the secondary spring not be inside the primary one rather than beneath it :-\

My thoughts too :-\
No it should'nt- NASCAR and Stock car racers use those small springs-Assister's-  :y That kit drops car 20=60mm Would have been better off keeping seandard springs and using donuts on rear springs for Towing :y

Oh I wouldn't be towing at all just wanted to have a better look and improved handling yet retain the option to raise the rear for when loaded up

 :y
Title: Re: Comments please people! Astra H Problem - Suspension
Post by: 05omegav6 on 05 February 2013, 21:52:40
So perfectly safe in fact that the garage felt then need to write a letter which effectively denies all resposibility for fitting them :-\
Title: Re: Comments please people! Astra H Problem - Suspension
Post by: F1 9LFG on 05 February 2013, 21:57:11
So perfectly safe in fact that the garage felt then need to write a letter which effectively denies all resposibility for fitting them :-\

Well...hence the thread!

I am not happy with the whole business of this suspension debacle  :-[
Title: Re: Comments please people! Astra H Problem - Suspension
Post by: 05omegav6 on 05 February 2013, 22:01:13
What model Astra is it :-\ why not fit SRi springs and shocks, or even VXR ones :-\
Title: Re: Comments please people! Astra H Problem - Suspension
Post by: symes on 05 February 2013, 22:01:43
There slould be a metal collar between both springs AND a thicker Alloy ring under Assister on top of adjusters
Title: Re: Comments please people! Astra H Problem - Suspension
Post by: F1 9LFG on 05 February 2013, 22:13:48
There slould be a metal collar between both springs AND a thicker Alloy ring under Assister on top of adjusters

Correct - that's what I have
Title: Re: Comments please people! Astra H Problem - Suspension
Post by: F1 9LFG on 05 February 2013, 22:15:39
What model Astra is it :-\ why not fit SRi springs and shocks, or even VXR ones :-\

I have just ordered Ebach springs and VXR shocks.

I could always stick the standard rear springs in for when fully loaded  :y
Title: Re: Comments please people! Astra H Problem - Suspension
Post by: symes on 05 February 2013, 22:16:53
There slould be a metal collar between both springs AND a thicker Alloy ring under Assister on top of adjusters

Correct - that's what I have
Not in ya foto's mate ;)
Title: Re: Comments please people! Astra H Problem - Suspension
Post by: F1 9LFG on 06 February 2013, 15:12:00
There slould be a metal collar between both springs AND a thicker Alloy ring under Assister on top of adjusters

Correct - that's what I have
Not in ya foto's mate ;)

There is a washer between the adjuster and assister spring but its more of a shim - the seller is still claiming its all normal!!!
Title: Re: Comments please people! Astra H Problem - Suspension
Post by: feeutfo on 06 February 2013, 15:24:54
Check the manufacturers part numbers against make and model.