fbekholden.com

I have not changed the rims / tyres from those earlier.

Been in contact with spring manufacturer and I will have a go at cutting down the springs. They advise it is a ratio of 2:1, so a 20mm cut is expected to lower car 40mm.

Now have springs out and will start with a small cut ensuring I don’t overheat steel and reinstall, fit wheel and check measure. If need be repeat.

I think I need to lower it 50 - 60mm, but see how it goes.

If you cut them with a 1mm cutting disc you wont affect the temper of the steel

Blacky wrote: Thu Aug 21, 2025 8:51 pm If you cut them with a 1mm cutting disc you wont affect the temper of the steel

Thanks Blacky, good advice. I did see on a YouTube video suggesting springs could also be cut with a hacksaw……. But that sounds like work

Stephen

Cut 25mm off springs and reinstalled. I think the car needs to come down another 15-20mm and that should do it. The car has been lowered approx 45mm after the first cut.

Took another 10mm off spring length. That is the limit as the spring only required a small amount of compression with jack to fit lower control arm bolt.

Will do a road test tomorrow.

Good result - it may settle a little over the next few days mate - maybe adopt a wait and see attitude ?

Looks great Stephen. I wonder if they are a heavier gauge spring, or are they original spec?


FB ute fixer upper, EK van on rotisserie

King springs say they are a direct replacement but you can see by the Stephens photo on page 13 that they are heavier gauge.

Maybe page 14

The King Springs I fitted were standard height plus 20mm lift as I wanted to solve front tyre scrub. The wire dia is 3/32” bigger than what was in there originally. Probably should have gone for standard springs and saved myself all this fiddling

After the two spring cuts here it is. I’m happy with how it stands and I have increased the tyre / guard clearance. With new stiffer springs I am hoping to have solved the tyre scrubbing. I won’t know until I get on some undulating roads at 80 km/hr.

Here is how it looks now. Next job is to replace the tie rod ends then get a wheel alignment.

Looking great Stephen. Similar stance to my old beast I'm thinking. My fronts were 2 inch shorter than standard but much thicker and firmer. Rears were standard 6 leaves with no work done other than new nylon spacer thingies. Even your wheels are similar. I have a reasonably solid Selby sway bar on front, and bought one for rear but it handles so well I haven't bothered to fit it. Doggo looks wonderful too.
B

Funnily I had the same problem as you many years ago with my old EK sedan. I had the stock HR front springs and wanted it a bit lower. I got my mechanic at the time to put in some lowering springs. When I picked up the car it was higher than before. We scratched our heads and lopped off 30mm or more, which fixed the height ok, but the ride was pretty harsh. Not long after I pulled them out and replaced with original HR springs again but with 30mm lopped off. Prolly by hacksaw back then knowing me. That setup is now in my ute and works well for me, however I only run 185 tyres on 6” rims.

You know how I love mucking around with wheels. She looks like business with the 14x7” and 225s. Makes me want to polish up the ones on my ute. Good on you for persevering and getting a result you are happy with. Looking forward to seeing it out on a run.


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Brett027 wrote: Sun Aug 24, 2025 3:44 pm Looking great Stephen. Similar stance to my old beast I'm thinking. My fronts were 2 inch shorter than standard but much thicker and firmer. Rears were standard 6 leaves with no work done other than new nylon spacer thingies. Even your wheels are similar. I have a reasonably solid Selby sway bar on front, and bought one for rear but it handles so well I haven't bothered to fit it. Doggo looks wonderful too.
B

where did you buy it from Brett ?? I would like one for the ute and one of our club members is chasing one as well.

Gee, I'm good to you Blacky. Fortunately my record keeping is only second to my good looks.

I would be open to selling the rear bar and kit, cause I am likely never going to fit it. But not a easy item to post. Rear bar diameter is 18mm and cost me $390 including a mounting kit.

For interest, the front bar diameter is 22mm and it does an amazing job.
B


Todd Selby
Signature Swaybars
10 / 34 Quinns Lane South Nowra NSW 2541
Ph - 02 4421 2722
Fax- 02 4421 2922
email - signatureswaybars@bigpond.com
www.signatureswaybars.com.au