Lowering 2000 S help
 

My 2000 S has bilstein HD's all around. Besides lowering springs, what else will I need for parts. I don't want to start and have to stop for a week waiting for parts. Any special tools besides a spring compressor?
I want to lower approx an inch. Any suggestions for springs?
Thanks,
David

i run H&R on mine. A little stiffer than stock springs.

How old is your suspension? While you have the struts disassembled, you might want to do bump stops, strut bearings, and the top plates as they have a rubber bushing that wears out. Bump stops are probably done by now (mine were in 2-3 pieces).

Front, I replaced everything about 500 miles ago. Rear set up came with car which now has 50k. After reading Bentley, I think I might pay someone (someday). It appears I need to disconnect the parking brake. Parking brake are a phobia of mine from earlier times. Thanks for responding.

I have disassembled my suspension twice, once to install the KWV3's and recently to replace the lower control and tracking arms and I have not removed the parking brake cable (thankfully) because like you, I have not had any pleasant memories with parking brake cables

I'm looking at the Bentley guide which mentions the cable. Anyone know of a better guide?

Yeah, this guide here:

Boxster Hacks and Instructions

I replaced my suspension myself and did not disconnect the parking brake cables.

Another guide with pictures of the KSport installation is here:

http://986forum.com/forums/491355-post199.html

And here is a youtube guide:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WFuERvwEt-I

Along with the struts I also did all 4 wheel bearing replacements. If I wasn't doing those, it would have been easier. I still didn't have to disconnect the parking brake cable :)

It may be possible with a spring compressor (I didn't use one) that you might be able to get the springs compressed and be able to get the strut out without having to disconnect the LCA and toe arms/tie rods (I disconnected all that stuff). If it is, that would save you a lot of time and hassle. Getting the LCA ball joints removed was very tough (I also replaced my rear LCA so maybe it wasn't required to remove that joint...)

Thanks Steve. I will take a look and figure out if this is over my skill set. I've done the front before, the rear looks a bit daunting.

I think the main difference in the rear was dropping the axles, but again that may be because I was replacing the rear wheel bearings. There is a guy in Caymanregister.org that has made some custom spring compressing tools that fit our cars that drastically reduce the effort to remove and replace a strut. That was what got me thinking if you could get a spring compressor in there, you could avoid a lot of the steps of disconnecting stuff... It was a lot of work but if a regular person like me could do it, I bet you could too :)

I wonder what makes the cayman spring compressor different than the regular one
I used on my front.

Parking brake cables, no matter what vehicle, are almost always easier to remove (or loosen) at the end that has the handbrake lever.

Anyone know if Vogtland Sport will work for my situation. I guess they will lower the car 1.25". I am trying to get away with lowering with just new springs and the bilstein HD's it has on it.

Thanks,

David

Anyone? Bump

My H&R lowered mine about an inch. I would not want to go lower.
Scrapes in some driveways.