gandalfthegray.

Hey guys, I think from reading back and what I can see on my own car that I'm sunk but wanted to see if there's anything I'm missing.

I'm trying to lower the front some on my US 86 5 car but when I spin the spanner nut loose the spring perch doesn't follow it down. It appears as maybe the inside diameter of the perch isn't large enough to pass over the threaded shock. So no possible way to lower?

icsamerica

Method 1. Thread it back on 5 full turns and got for a drive....Listen for the clunk.

Method 2. Take it all part, clean and check it all and get some new adjusters.

Billu

Very carefully get the adjuster nut back on the threaded sleeve at least 5-6 turns, preferable almost to the perch. If the spring pops, you could break your hand.

Speedtoys

Buy a lottery ticket. You still have hands.

Mrmerlin

Best bet go buy a new set of bilstien shocks and put them on based on pictures these are original shocks

gandalfthegray.

So the general consensus is that it is suppose to be able to be lowered? I wailed on it with a hammer so it isn't going to be popping off easily but if I know that at one point it was able to I can work with that. I likr the drive the car idea but it doesn't currently run. I may try putting some heat on it while beating on it to see if it will break loose. I understand what you are saying with the danger to my hands, I didn't believe it could come down originally but if it's meant to lower, I will be cautious with it.

Thanks for the feedback!

Dundertaker

Agreed...these are original shocks..no way they’re good. Plan on pulling apart and replacing. I went with Konis on stock springs. The stock adjusters on mine were serviceable after cleaning, passenger rear is a bit fiddly, but works. If they won’t spin freely find a better used set or look after market.

Petza914

Konis with stock Sport springs here too

Mrmerlin

FWIW in the last two pictures the top one has an adjustable collar to change ride height
the second one is a non adjustable shock as is evidenced by the lower perch sitting on the shock body

NOTE for adjustable ride height ,
the Boge threaded rings dont fit the koni shocks tight.
they have to be JB welded onto the shocks.
NOTE if this isnt done then you wont be able to readjust the ride height after the shocks are installed.

NOTE If you buy new Bilstiens they come with new adjustable collars and lower perches.
All that you need from there is to get the 4 white discs and the 2 front and 2 rear shock bumpers, and the 4 shock piston nuts
verify that your upper dust boots are good in the front sometimes they are cracked

Billu

On a side note, lowering these cars doesn’t improve the handling, and if lowered significantly, actually make the handling worse. There are specs for measuring ride height from specific points under the car.
My 83 ROW had non-adjustable front suspension and sat about 13/4 lower than spec. While it looked good, the handling was not good (significant bump steer) and the ride was way too firm.
I installed new factory shocks and got used lower spring perches and adjusters. At factory height, the ride and the handling improved immensely.
Also, Bilstien or Komi shocks are too firm for my taste. Factory Boge or Sachs much better.
The 928 is a great long distance cruiser at factory spec. Lowered, not so much.

GregBBRD

I believe you will find that the lower spring perch is close to the OD of the shock and will not pass over the threaded collar you exposed.
Because there is no stop on the adjuster, the engineers designed it like this did so there was no possible way for the spring to "drop" past the threaded collar, should the adjuster come loose...like you artificially did.

With the spring perch resting on the threaded collar, you can't lower it any further.