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Lowering Prelude and Alignment Questions

Posted: Tue May 26, 2015 10:36 pm
by G-lude
Will be looking to take the Prelude out of the skies in the next few weeks ;)

I'm fairly confident in tackling the job at hand however wondered if people would recommend replacing anything else whilst I'm down there? I guess my concern is that lowering the car will disturb the usual resting places of bushes and ballpoints etc. Car had its MOT a month or so ago and nothing was picked up on

Secondly with alignment on the 4ws I'm quite happy to purchase the 4ws locking pin but does anyone near herts have a recommended garage for this? How much would Honda charge as reading around I've seen people not too happy with the results from some garages who know nothing about the 4ws system.

Posted: Tue May 26, 2015 10:43 pm
by prahunt
I'd certainly check all bushings and ball joints while down there. May be a good time to treat the arch with an undercoat and just tidy it up as well which you have the space.

Alignment is a must. Can't help on garages as I haven't attempted my Lude at any yet.
It is a fun job though lowering a car, then getting to see it looking mighty fine 8-)

Posted: Tue May 26, 2015 10:47 pm
by G-lude
Maybe I will do a preliminary check this coming weekend or something, will give me an excuse to spray all the bolts up too so I hopefully don't run into anything seized...

I guess it's not a massive deal if something fails a few months after yet if I only have to do this once will be a bonus :)

Under sealing is a good thought though :)

Posted: Tue May 26, 2015 10:52 pm
by NafemanNathan
How lowered are you David?

Posted: Tue May 26, 2015 11:12 pm
by G-lude
NafemanNathan wrote:How lowered are you David?
Just a hunch had you meant to put David? @NafemanNathan

Posted: Tue May 26, 2015 11:22 pm
by hondaman
I think a general good going over, will suffice, bushes and drop links and the like unless they've been already done are starting to get tired in this age of car.

Mine for example a 1996 with only 50k from new has had to have all the drop links track rod ends and dampers replaced + springs (lowered -30mm) because even at such a low miles all the 4 dampers were leaking badly and the 2 rear had no damping left what so ever.

And I'm currently in the process of replacing all the bushes with poly bushes, because most of these have seen better days :roll:

So in essence I'd say check them all, for signs of wear or damage especially with the state of the roads in this county.

Posted: Tue May 26, 2015 11:26 pm
by NafemanNathan
G-lude wrote:
NafemanNathan wrote:How lowered are you David?
Just a hunch had you meant to put David? @NafemanNathan
Awww bloody hell! I got you mixed up with gb-lude again! :facepalm: :lol:

I should really learn to recognise your avatar if I can't recognise your usernames! :lol:

Posted: Wed May 27, 2015 9:41 am
by G-lude
I know exactly what you mean regarding our roads >.> I'll take a look at drop links too and see what I can replace while I'm down there, just makes sense to do the lot and get an alignment at the same time. Still a little lost with where best to go for the alignment, am I being over cautious not wanting to take it to your average Jo?

@NafemanNathan not to worry ;) i just wish I had seen gb-lude's username before I signed up :lol:

Were you potentially asking how low I'm planning on going? It will be 30-40mm as I want to keep the 4ws goodness haha :)

Posted: Wed May 27, 2015 9:48 am
by NafemanNathan
I was, but if you're only going a sensible 30-40mm lower what I was going to mention doesn't apply :)

You're right to be cautious of getting your 4WS aligned by the right people though. You definitely need someone who's experienced with doing it.

Posted: Wed May 27, 2015 10:19 am
by Donald
@vtecmec does it for free, I heard :lol: