F430 suspension lowering costs...

Hi guys, I am looking to lower my F430 on its stock suspension. I did some thread searching and seen prices anywhere from $300 to $800 however when I called my local shop here in Dallas (Norwood) I was quoted $1200 which to me seemed to be a bit high.

Does anyone have an alternative shop recommendation for me?

Norwood said that each strut needed to be removed and compressed and that it was a full day job.

Thanks in advance-

Josh

 

are they under the impression that you want to remove the stock springs and put on aftermarket lowering springs? If so, then yes, you'd need to remove and compress each strut.

if all you're looking to do is to lower the height with stock springs, the struts don't need to be removed, let alone have the springs compressed, for that. A couple of turns on the lower collar nut after the lock nut is loosened with a spanner will do it

 

It cost me $800 for lowering on stock springs plus a 4 wheel alignment. Make sure that is included with price. Strongly recommend no more than 22mm ( 3/4 inch) drop. It doesn't sound like much but it makes a huge difference.

Post in your local section for recommendations in your area.

 

$1200 is about going rate , can you adjust under load, maybe....... but are you willing to risk the cost of a strut if the threads get damaged?

And yes , $1200 includes 4 wheel alignment after adjustments, if done here at Boardwalk.

LMK if we can help sir!

S

 

That all sounds too high ("Ferrari tax"?) If all we are talking about is lowering the car on the stock suspension, it's not much different than a Spec Miata, which I used to corner balance on scales and align for $300 (it's all labor).

Dale

 

360 is basically the same. Just paid $580 for mine (Aussie dollars, so about $450 usd). Included 4 wheel alignment to CS spec.


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They are under the impression that I want to simply lower the car on its stock suspension. As posted below, this seems to be the going price here in Dallas.

 

Thanks man!

 

No need to remove the shocks, but compressing the spring definitely makes it easier to adjust the spring perch without, as noted, possibly ruining the threads on the shock body or the perch.

Do Miatas use shims to adjust camber? A bit more complicated on a F430 than turning an eccentric.

 

Spec Miatas use coil-over threaded shock bodies, like the F430. The "eccentric" you refer to is used in the control arms. Adjusting ride height on either is not complicated.

 

Adjusting camber afterwards on a F430 or any late Ferrari is more complicated since shims are used instead of eccentrics. Adjusting the ride height is, of course, simple with the correct tools.

 

minutes ago
I see what you're saying, however I dont understand why camber would need adjusted adter raising or lowering the ride height on these cars. Since the suspension is a double wishbone type with a spindle connected to the upper and lower outer portions, raising and lowering the ride height would move the upper and lower wishbones in equal proportions and would not move either wishbone in or out independent of the other. Therefore, camber would not be affected like it would on a strut type suspension.

 

Correction to my post above, that is, adjusting the ride height would not move any of the wishbones, so no impact on camber.

 

Totally incorrect. Those are unequal length A arms, and changing ride height changes both camber and toe.

 

How low can you go?

 

Ahh, ok. Didn't think of that. Now THAT makes sense. Thanks.

Dale

 

Is the spanner the same one used on the aftermarket coil overs?

 

circa $1,000 to get it done professionally, don't comprise or don't do it

 

Did it myself.
Compress the springs ...lubricate...use HE spanners ...and turn coller. Make sure to clean the threading and lubricate!
It will change the camber and alignment is needed.

....Novitec springs going in soon.

 

Does anyone have a recommendation for an independent in West LA or the South Bay to lower an F430? The quote I got from the dealership was $2,340 + $400 for an alignment. It seemed high based upon the posts above. Thanks

 

Sounds a bit high. In socal, I'm having a shop lower it for 600 and align it for about 200. So yeah, 800 is the going rate. While you are in there, I was told my shock bushings were shot. We had it on a lift, compressed the drivers wheel back into the fender and noted the bushing for the shock was off a good few degrees and not sitting like it should. If you are lowing it, something to consider since he will most likely pull it out anyways, mind as well throw new bushings in at the same time. I think AEItalian sells them for like 55 each, get all 4.

 

Thanks Jason. Would you recommend the shop you are using? Is it a 1 day job? I was told by the dealership that they need the car for 2 days.

 

I have not taken the car in for service before, but they are an independent that works on several types of exotics. They work on my friends 458 as well as 2 other scuds. So with their recommendations, I will be checking them out soon. Their prices seem very reasonable despite being a Ferrari.... I took my car to GMG to have my R8 lowered, I think it was like 1200 plus alignment....

Also, I believe it is a one day thing. Taking the shock out is probably an hour at most to take it out, compress it, adjust the height and put it back in. Call it a 30 min beer break inbetween, still about 6 horus, plus driving the car to get alignment done 2 hours is still 8 hours.

 

Lowering ride height on OE springs can be an all-day affair.

Adjustment of lower threaded spring mounts without compression of the OE springs is certainly possible, but it is higher effort vs removal of the coil over shock and compression of the main spring, taking the pre load force off the lower spring threaded mount and the rubber vibration isolation bushing. Doing this on-car usually requires a heavy dose of spray lubricant on the threads and rubber bushing.

Plus, during alignment one should verify corner weights using load cell scales. This is an iterative process, done correctly can be time intensive.

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Bushings: http://www.awitalian.com/Front-and-Rear-Shock-Bushing-157630_p_4265.html