Suspension in Adventra/Avalanche

[VX-355]

Can anyone tell me how the height difference is achieved in the Adventra/Avalanche Wagon compared to a normal Commodore Wagon?
What I really want to know is if the Front Struts are the same length from the bottom of the strut (near the mounting bracket) to the top (bottom mount where the Spring sits)?
So the extra height is gained from a larger Spring and therefore longer internal part of the strut.

If I was to put a Commodore Spring/Strut set-up in the front, would it be an exact swap and not create any tyre/wheel clearance issues (other than what is presented in a std commodore)?

If this is not right, can anyone tell me specifics......

Cheers.

[GHZ28]

Not sure on the measurements, but mine has been lowered by fitting standard FE2 front struts in front, and FE2 wagon rear springs. Also the rear suspension spacers have been removed, they are 30mm thick, and the bolts replaced with standard items.

Mine sits 90mm lower than standard now.

I kept the rear self levelling suspension, so had to alter the position of the self levelling reference by changing the ball mount on the suspension arm.

I used a statesman one, but also had to rotate it to give my desired ride height at neutral on the self leveller.

Overall not a bad result, but I do find FE2 a little choppy on the front, but it is the same as my new ute which also has FE2 dampers with aftermarket springs.

From memory, the spring perch is a little higher on the adventra strut when I pulled them out, but it was a long time ago, but I do still have them intact so I can replace them if I sell it.

If you want any further info let me know.

gh

[VX-355]

Thanks GHZ28.
I have been thinking of putting Bilstein Struts in the front (or possibly coil-overs) and then Bilsteins in the rear and foregoing the Ride-Level Suspension. With 20" rims on the car, I want it to come down about 3 to 4 inches.

So, you put standard FE2 spec struts/springs up front - that makes it easier when I talk to Bilstein.
For the rears, you put FE2 Springs and removed the suspension spacer - easy enough. Are the shocks in the rear out of a statesman? and then can you go into the next step a little further please?

Cheers,
Matt

[smitha]

Hey Matt. I just got some springs, polyairs and Bilsteins done on my VX Wagon by Dave Falson at East Coast Suspensions in Kirrawee.

Now handles great and goes around corners better than a wagon really should.

If you talk to Dave, he will have all the part numbers etc ready to go for this kind of thing, as I know he spent some time with different springs in the rear of mine to get it right.

Might be worth a call either way, (02) 9545-1044 he is a top bloke and will go out of his way to do the right thing by you. And good prices as well :banana:

Tell him Al Smith sent ya...

[Y2kGoofball]

just curious - why would you want an Adventra lowered when the whole idea of it is to sit high for light off roading as well as towing??

Just curious thats all :eyes:

[VX-355]

Well we will never take-it off road and possibly never tow a trailer. We purchased the car as we wanted a V8 Wagon for the space & future development of family. Plus we were impressed with the HSV Avalanche AWD set-up (safety etc..) plus the fact that it sits between a Clubsport R8 and Senator (feature wise). So we figured it was pretty much the best we could get. The thing is that we are not really fans of the height, so hence the reason we are looking at lowering.

[GHZ28]

Thanks GHZ28.
I have been thinking of putting Bilstein Struts in the front (or possibly coil-overs) and then Bilsteins in the rear and foregoing the Ride-Level Suspension. With 20" rims on the car, I want it to come down about 3 to 4 inches.

So, you put standard FE2 spec struts/springs up front - that makes it easier when I talk to Bilstein.
For the rears, you put FE2 Springs and removed the suspension spacer - easy enough. Are the shocks in the rear out of a statesman? and then can you go into the next step a little further please?

Cheers,
Matt

My rear shocks remain standard, to keep the level-ride gear. Statesman shocks are too long, the Adventra has wagon/ute shocks which are shorter overall.

For the level ride, I bought a statesman part which goes on the suspension arm as one end of the arm that actuates the height adjustment. It is still not right, so I rotated it so it sat where I wanted the ride to be. You will find that a little bracket is bolted to the sway bar mount from memory, on the Adventra it is indexed so it sits high, on the statesman low, I have it sort of in between.

If you have a look at it you will hopefully understand what I am talking about.

Cheers,

Garry

[Nemo]

GHZZ8, is it possible for you to post a picture of how your Adventura 'lowered' please, i have an Avalanche I've put a set of coupe4 19"s on it but 'm also interested in the whole Low thing ! Thanks.

[GHZ28]

GHZZ8, is it possible for you to post a picture of how your Adventura 'lowered' please, i have an Avalanche I've put a set of coupe4 19"s on it but 'm also interested in the whole Low thing ! Thanks.

Yeah I will try to find a photo when it had the R8 shadow 18s on it....got them on the new Thunder now, and it as the original 17s back on.

IMO, the handling was superb with the low profile 18s but still much improved
over standard with the OEM 17s back on.

Will look for those photos.....

gh

[Y2kGoofball]

yeah that makes sense :doh:

I'd be interested to see the pics too :stick:

[warlobo]

I am also currently playing around with the suspension on the adventra. Currently have coil overs fitted to front and lwred springs in rear. Sits 50mm lower at rear and 60mm front. Shocks at front are adjustable dampening and the ride/handling seems quite good, marked improvement over std. Don't think I have the level ride right though, just moved the arm to the new lower position but I might try the statesman/switch around thing?

Lowered it with coil overs from std commodore but it sat too low (just on tyre height) and the ride was like a lowered car, far too harsh and the level ride kept fully pumping itself thinking it was under load and was real shit. Love to see pics at 90mm lowered??? Thats damn low.. must be harsh ride GHZ28? Pic attached is of the low height/shit ride I mentioned..

http://i111.photobucket.com/albums/n152/adventra/BB.jpg

[warlobo]

http://i111.photobucket.com/albums/n152/adventra/Lwrdblk1.jpg


This is the one I sold a while back, owner lowered 2'' or so with pedders springs and std shocks, says it rides quite well. Did same as me with levelride arm, just repositioned.

[warlobo]

http://i111.photobucket.com/albums/n152/adventra/Blulwd2.jpg


http://i111.photobucket.com/albums/n152/adventra/Blulwd.jpg


This is the current height I'm at, I am planning on 275/35/19's or even 285's and I think its high enough to prevent any scraping issues

[Maz]

Get 20's with 255/35 tyres. The 255/35 tyres are usually cheaper so it will cost the same as the 275 wide 19inch combo.

The 20's will sit higher compared to the 275/35 19inch tyres plus 275 is much too wide for the usual 8inch or 8.5inch wide rim.

[GHZ28]

OK, here are some photos, I hope.

This is the completed car, parked on uneven ground so the right front is sitting high unfortunately front left is up in the guard almost.
http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k88/ghawgood/LowAdventra.jpg

This is the front after just being lowered back onto the hoist after fitting the FE2 to the front.
http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k88/ghawgood/AdventrafrontFE2height.jpg

This is the front with standard springs fitted
http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k88/ghawgood/Adventrafrontstandardheight.jpg



Now all I gotta do is work out how to link them properly, at least you can all see these
from here

[brenten88]

GHZ28, your adventra looks nuts sacked like that can you write a list of exactly what parts are needed to lower it like that...

[JET-6]

How do you guys go with wheel alignment and tyre wear issues when doing this, im about to lower my SX6 over some 20's and need to find some info, im told by Pedders and Kings i can only go 30 to 35mm lower than stock

Please help, if you have any info you can offer, id love to hear from you

Cheers guys