View Full Version : Astra front suspension
Hi guys. I wonder would anyone out there be able to give me some advice. I have adjustable bilsteins on the front of my opel astra, or so I was told when I bought her last year.. She is sitting very high altogether in the front and over jumps and stuff there is alot of travel, Its like driving a boat. Understeering like hell and stuff. Would it be a gravel set up thats on her, if so would changing the springs do any good, or what would be the best solution? Its tarmac rallies I do the whole time... Im not the most mechanically minded person out there so things like this are a real pain..I learning though!!
end over end
23-06-2006, 10:05
is the car on coil overs or normal springs?
bilstiens are fine, i think you should have about 7 or 8 inches of travel in the shock, if its the older type ones maybe only 5 inch of travel, gravel spec bilsteins are the better choice for irish tar anyway, if you measure the hieght of the sill off the ground about roughly 9 or 10inch of clearance a good height, also spring ratings make a big difference some where between 240lbs and 280lbs at the front works, if the car is understeering sometimes the trouble is at the back of the car, if your running a normal back axle run standard gsi springs or diesel estate springs, also are all your anti roll bars intact? (eg. any broken link bars)
astras as a general rule dont understeer much if a diff is fitted, and if you can control the amount of roll in any car more travel equals more traction!! lots more can be done with camber and caster steering arms, bottom arms, rear comber etc.
cheers End over End. She on coil overs, will have a better look at all them things you mentioned.
20valver
23-06-2006, 18:31
If all else fails, take it down to Ger Donovan in Kilcrohane, didn't he have an astra for a while ?
end over end
24-06-2006, 09:47
if your buying new springs make sure and buy eibach only!!
these make a world of difference as they stay uniform and dont buckle under full load, its very hard to get anyone who knows anything about astras in ireland, its trial and error, u2u me if u need any help, ive had a few astras in the past, gp. n and gp. a, garavel and tar.