XR5 springs in normal focus?

[Mullett]

The only way I can see that happening is if he didn't seat the springs properly, they have to be rotated to sit right on the spring seats. Or, he didn't get genuine XR5 springs...

RM.

[want-a-XY]

Originally Posted by Mullett

The only way I can see that happening is if he didn't seat the springs properly, they have to be rotated to sit right on the spring seats. Or, he didn't get genuine XR5 springs...

RM.

ok cool, thanks heaps Mullett. you've got me interested again. found some xr5 springs in sydney, $200 for the lot

[Mullett]

That's not bad, but if being low is the most important thing to you, remember that kingsprings are about $250.

RM.

[want-a-XY]

Originally Posted by Mullett

That's not bad, but if being low is the most important thing to you, remember that kingsprings are about $250.

RM.

but i've also ridden in a corolla with king springs and felt the ride was far too harsh. better ride is what i'm aiming for, rather than just lowering. so on your experience the xr5 springs is the way to go

[Mullett]

For sure. The ride's still harder than the factory CL suspention (of course) but the trade off is more direct steering, better handling...etc I'll post some pics when I'm back in Aust.

RM.

[Marshy79]

Heh

Well the debate is out there in regards to the XR5 springs lowering of raising the standard focus.

But to tempt you lot... Anyone in Melb wants a set of XR5 springs ill sell you my old ones for a measly 100bux. I mentioned Melb as i'm not going to be bothered posting.

I was keeping em in case the cops want to hassle me, but Im not gunna fuss about swapping springs about and all that.

[RJO89]

PM sent

[Marshy79]

Done and Done.

Looks like RJO will confirm how the springs go.

If they dont turn out right bud, you can give em back. I'm not fussed. They were just sitting in the garage as "just in case's" anyways

[Mullett]

That's the spirit! I cannot see how they could raise the car, there's only 100kg difference between them, not very much. Just make sure the springs locate into their seats properly, the seats are removable and rotatable to make sure it sits right.

Let us know how you go!

RM.

[want-a-XY]

looks like you started a trent Mullett!!!!!!!!!! i'm also interested to see how they go cos i'm sorting out postage on mine also!!!!!!!!!!

[Mullett]

Haha, fantastic. I'm pretty sure you won't be dissapointed, I'm very happy with mine. One thing that did strike me: does the XR5 and the ST get the same springs? I can't see why they'd change them to come down here...but still. Have you got the gear to fit them yourself?

*re-read* Hang on...I started a trent? uhoh...

RM.

[want-a-XY]

nar going to get someone to fit them professionally. i thougth the same thing about the xr5 and the ST, i'll just hold off until RJO89 gets his and see what he says.

sorry typo.... trend** my bad

[RJO89]

Yeah I'll be the final judge in this if I can!!!!
Picking the springs up off Marshy on Saturday, probably fit them on sunday some time. Will take before and after photos as well as measure them.
And no, they didn't fit different springs in the XR5 when they brought them out here. They're the same as the ST.

Hey RM you wouldn't have any springs compressors that I could borrow would you? Would prefer to borrow them rather than buy a set.

[Mullett]

I do, but you'll have to come and get them

*edit* ah crap, it doesn't display my location. Perth, anyways. And I'm just back from Dubai, so I'll see if i can get a couple of pics tomorrow

RM.

[Lanyi]

I have a question for you suspension gurus... What exactly is the advantage of putting in xr5 springs instead of lets say king springs super lows, or whitelines? These aftermarket springs have some established credibility, and of course so does FoMoCo, so are the xr5 springs simply the lower spec springs (CL - Zetec) but shorter? And even if the xr5 springs are 'better', is this going to affect the lower spec shocks? I might be very wrong here, but under more compression the stock shocks might be 'in trouble'.

Anyway, the way I am seeing this is that xr5 springs will cost around the same as getting super lows... so why go xr5?

[Mullett]

The real advantage to me was that the springs are a proper, factory tuned, progressive rate setup, and they've spent quite a bit of time on development. My experience with King springs hasn't been great, and some peope with Focus' have said they find them too harsh. It was just a personal choice, and that i wanted to do something different. As far as dampers go, ideally, a matched damper would provide a big improvement, especially a Koni or Bilstein item, but the stock shocks do a pretty reasonable job as it is.

The XR5 springs aren't a shortened CL spring, they're shorter, made of heavier material (for increased spring rate) and they're wound differently. Similar to a Zetec spring, but probably stiffer again.

Here's a pic of my car with the springs fitted, don't have a before pic :( You'll have to excuse the nanna rims, they'll go...soon.



RM.[IMG][/IMG]

[Lanyi]

Wow, that result is amazing!

Thats fair enough. If kings have been a problem then this is pretty clear cut, and like most people will say, the results are surprisingly amazing - thanks for the info Mullett.

As long as the stock shocks dont give up, you have found a very good solution to the focus 'high rear' problem!

[Mullett]

Yeah, for the cost I'm really happy with it. With what I was saying before though, I'd still take a set of Eibach springs, or Whiteline (but I don't think they make them for focus?), but they're considerably more expensive. I was going to get some Eibachs from the UK, but apparently some people on the forums have had trouble with the agent i was going to use.

As far as dampers go, it's not a case that they will 'give up', as in fail prematurely (unless you're using springs outside the factory scope of travel), but they won't respond as sharply as aftermarket shocks, and the jounce and rebound control won't be as sharp, because they have to react faster for a heavier spring. It won't make the ride quality worse (in fact it's often better with a stock shock), but the body control at speed will be sooo much better with a nice damper package. Dammit! Now i want dampers.

RM.

[want-a-XY]

Originally Posted by Mullett

The real advantage to me was that the springs are a proper, factory tuned, progressive rate setup, and they've spent quite a bit of time on development. My experience with King springs hasn't been great, and some peope with Focus' have said they find them too harsh. It was just a personal choice, and that i wanted to do something different. As far as dampers go, ideally, a matched damper would provide a big improvement, especially a Koni or Bilstein item, but the stock shocks do a pretty reasonable job as it is.

The XR5 springs aren't a shortened CL spring, they're shorter, made of heavier material (for increased spring rate) and they're wound differently. Similar to a Zetec spring, but probably stiffer again.

Here's a pic of my car with the springs fitted, don't have a before pic :( You'll have to excuse the nanna rims, they'll go...soon.



RM.[IMG][/IMG]

that's awesome!!!!!!!! i'm so buying mine asap!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[RJO89]

Got mine today. Hopefully installing tomorrow . Will take before and after pics...

[want-a-XY]

any results yet?

[RJO89]

Nah sorry mate. Was flat out today. Won't have another chance to do them until probably next weekend.

[want-a-XY]

yeah no worries. let me know when you install your springs

[Lanyi]

Caution! This mod will raise a zetec spec model focus.

XR5 springs should not be used as lowering springs for a zetec. I believe that because of the factory suspension upgrade package in this spec (more specifically the shocks) equiped with the already improved and stiffer XR5 springs, the car will sit higher.

The springs do provide a firmer ride though.

Good luck to those that will do this mod - hope it turns out like Mullett's, or that you get your desired results. If anyone needs help firguring out what exactly needs to be done to do this mod safely and properly, pm me or post on this thread.

At least i got to get to know my car just that little bit better :voldar02:

[Mullett]

Lanyi: PM replied mate, I hope it helps.

The shocks in the Zetec shouldn't affect the ride height, unless the spring perch is different (and that'd be weird) Can you post some pics of your car? Either way, if everything's right, it should sit no higher than mine did in the pic...keep us posted though, could be a good bit of info for everyone!

-RM.

[want-a-XY]

Originally Posted by Lanyi

Caution! This mod will raise a zetec spec model focus.

XR5 springs should not be used as lowering springs for a zetec. I believe that because of the factory suspension upgrade package in this spec (more specifically the shocks) equiped with the already improved and stiffer XR5 springs, the car will sit higher.

The springs do provide a firmer ride though.

Good luck to those that will do this mod - hope it turns out like Mullett's, or that you get your desired results. If anyone needs help firguring out what exactly needs to be done to do this mod safely and properly, pm me or post on this thread.

At least i got to get to know my car just that little bit better :voldar02:

i'd say it'd have something to do with the zetec's slightly different setup and the firmer shocks. but that's fine by me getting my xr5 springs cos i have a povery-pack CL. we'll see how RJO89 goes with his xr5 springs

[Lanyi]

Originally Posted by want-a-XY

i'd say it'd have something to do with the zetec's slightly different setup and the firmer shocks.

Thinking back to when i was talking to a dealer about zetec of cl/lx, they mentioned that a zetec has a suspension package (is this simply a dealer trying to upsell?) Also, Im pretty sure that the focus brochure mentions 'sports suspension' or similar.

Just to give a bit more info, the springs seats are not different from other models - so the springs sit fine and give a very firm ride. Screw it, I'll just put 200kg in the car! :

I have removed the front springs hoping that the rears will drop with the xr5 springs, but..... thats raised as well (and the rears a simple and straight forward install). I post a pic once I find a site to keep pics on.

[marg99]

"Sports suspension" remains an option on LT models (CL,LX & zetec) but not TDCI, although the XR5 has its own sports suspension option.

[Mullett]

yeah, I looked up the part numbers, and the Zetec gets different springs and shocks to the rest of the Focus range, but regardless of the firmness of the dampers, they don't support static load whatsoever, so they shouldn't have an impact on ride height. I just went and measured mine, it's 380mm at the rear and 370 at the front (averaged left to right). Does anyone have a stock Zetec they can measure?

Thanks for the input Lanyi, I'm sorry you didn't have a good experience with it!

-RM.

[Lanyi]

Originally Posted by Mullett

Does anyone have a stock Zetec they can measure?

Stock front is around 370mm. Im speechless....

I have xr5 springs in the rear now, so mine is around 380mm.