Rapid lowering suspenstion

[rwickham2014]

Looking for some advice please. I want to know if Skoda Favorit lowering springs will fit on a 1989 Rapid 136? With my Rapid being 89 is is probably one of the last made before they changed to the Favorit. Reason i'm asking is that Favorit springs on ebay are £75 and Estelle/Rapid are £135.

 

Cheers

[hawkeracing]

No they are an entirely different car in every way except the engine, and even that has numerous differences.

[skodanorman]

I bought some lowering springs off eBay to fit to my Rapid. 

 

Before

 

 

The Springs

 

 

 

After

 

 

 

It is certainly lower but there are a few issues. You need to cut the bump stops down. The front panel is low and will catch on the slightest incline. Taking the car anywhere with people in the back becomes problematic. I didn't change the shockers and to be honest I think the handling could be improved greatly with some proper dampers. I have some adjustable dampers to go on the front so I'll let you know what difference that makes.

 

PS - a Rapid in South Wales - we need to meet up!! 

[rwickham2014]

Thanks for clarifying the difference Hawkeracing . Looks like i'll have to dig deeper in my pockets!

 

The lowering makes a huge different based on the pictures you have posted Skodanorman. Your Rapid looks like a really clean example. Is there a way to private message on Briskoda? If so could you let me know where in West Wales you are? I would definitely be keen on meeting up in the near future, my aim is to really get stuck into the car this year!

 

Cheers

[KenONeill]

 Is there a way to private message on Briskoda?

Cheers

Yes; one access method is to use the envelope icon in the page header (only works on proper computers).

[Llanigraham]

Thanks for clarifying the difference Hawkeracing . Looks like i'll have to dig deeper in my pockets!

 

The lowering makes a huge different based on the pictures you have posted Skodanorman. Your Rapid looks like a really clean example. Is there a way to private message on Briskoda? If so could you let me know where in West Wales you are? I would definitely be keen on meeting up in the near future, my aim is to really get stuck into the car this year!

 

Cheers

 

If you hover over the person's name on the left a new screen comes up, one line of which says "Send message"

[hawkeracing]

If you just want to 'even up' the stance of the car its simple to chop a coil out of the front springs and smooth the ends off.....works a treat and won't come with any real issues, although obviously the front will be about an inch lower. From my experience of Rapid/Estelle lowering springs that are too soft and fail to improve the handling much and come with ride height issues.

[mannyo]

You need to have completed a certain number of posts before the PM system will allow you to send, this has been done to stop new members joining with the soul intention of spamming other members via PM.

[skodanorman]

I'll send you a message now.  

[skodanorman]

I wasn't able to send you a message. I think you need some more posts yet. 

[rwickham2014]

Thanks all. I was considering paying the £12 for the membership. I tried editing my profile also but i didn't have much luck! I take it that would remove most of the limitations?

[rwickham2014]

If you just want to 'even up' the stance of the car its simple to chop a coil out of the front springs and smooth the ends off.....works a treat and won't come with any real issues, although obviously the front will be about an inch lower. From my experience of Rapid/Estelle lowering springs that are too soft and fail to improve the handling much and come with ride height issues.

 

I have considered chopping out a few turns on the coils but thought this would be seen as butchery! Is it just accepted as a means to an end?

 

I was concerned that lowering all over by the 35mm would still result in the car looking bit high at the front as it does when standard. However, the pictures that Skodanorman posted alleviate some of that worry because his looks really good.

 

As it stands i'm not sure on the condition of the ones on there. If they look a bit tired then i'll definately be replacing them for the lowered type.

[skodanorman]

Thanks for the kind words. Here is a more recent shot next to a standard height car and also, just to make you aware, a photo showing what it can do to the front of the car. 

 

 

 

 

[hawkeracing]

I wouldn't go mad on the coil chopping! On my old 105 I took 1.5 front coils out

 

This -

 

To this (the wheels changed too, I know, and the tyres are smaller on the minilites too)

 

[K]

Looking for some advice please. I want to know if Skoda Favorit lowering springs will fit on a 1989 Rapid 136? With my Rapid being 89 is is probably one of the last made before they changed to the Favorit. Reason i'm asking is that Favorit springs on ebay are £75 and Estelle/Rapid are £135.

 

Cheers

 

"Rapid being 89 is is probably one of the last made before they changed to the Favorit"

 

Actually Favorit and Estelle/Rapid were produced paralelly from 1987 onwards until January, 1990.