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"The Stance Thread"


oz_tom

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The 02's don't have to be slammed to the ground.

If you're going for a bit of stance you should at least get rid of any gap

between the arch at the top of the wheel wells and the tires.  (Looking from the side.)
They look very good slammed I must admit, but that's just me.

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Stock stance......boring, right? lol

 

Are those 175/70-13s? The black wheels make the sidewall appear bigger, but they don't seem to bulge as much as 185/70s on the 4-1/2" wheels. Maybe it's my childhood around old 'Murrican Ahrn, but I actually like the tall, plain sidewall look.

 

-Dave

Colorado '71 2002

'17 VW GTI Sport
'10 Honda Odyssey Family & Stuff Hauler

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The 02's don't have to be slammed to the ground.

If you're going for a bit of stance you should at least get rid of any gap

between the arch at the top of the wheel wells and the tires.  (Looking from the side.)

They look very good slammed I must admit, but that's just me.

I agree. Question: how do I go about lowering the front a bit without chopping up the car? I'm mechanically inclined and have a full shop complete with lift, but am new to these cars. What's the prevailing opinion on lowering these cars a smidge? I'd like to adjust the front, it's a bit nose-high. Is this normal? Should I leave it alone?

Anthony

----------------------------------------------------------------------

1972 2002 Atlantik

Bunch of old airhead BMW motorcycles

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Are those 175/70-13s? The black wheels make the sidewall appear bigger, but they don't seem to bulge as much as 185/70s on the 4-1/2" wheels. Maybe it's my childhood around old 'Murrican Ahrn, but I actually like the tall, plain sidewall look.

 

-Dave

Dave, they are 70R13 Bridgestones. Very squishy compliant ride, not at all sporty, unfortunately. They are in good nick, otherwise I'd swap them out for something firmer/sportier. Then again, they suit this car well. It's not a canyon burner. :-)

Anthony

Anthony

----------------------------------------------------------------------

1972 2002 Atlantik

Bunch of old airhead BMW motorcycles

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I agree. Question: how do I go about lowering the front a bit without chopping up the car? I'm mechanically inclined and have a full shop complete with lift, but am new to these cars. What's the prevailing opinion on lowering these cars a smidge? I'd like to adjust the front, it's a bit nose-high. Is this normal? Should I leave it alone?

 

spring chop... cheapest way to go, dont take too many coils out tho maybe max 2. if you want to go any lower then you can get some 50mm lowered springs.

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I agree. Question: how do I go about lowering the front a bit without chopping up the car? I'm mechanically inclined and have a full shop complete with lift, but am new to these cars. What's the prevailing opinion on lowering these cars a smidge? I'd like to adjust the front, it's a bit nose-high. Is this normal? Should I leave it alone?

 

Before you go cutting springs, it looks like you probably have the aluminum spacers at the top of your struts--they were required for US bumper- or headlight-height requirements beginning in 1971 or 1972. Removing them is an easy way to drop the front a bit. You can swap them onto the top of the inner fender to keep the studs from looking too long up there.

 

-Dave

Colorado '71 2002

'17 VW GTI Sport
'10 Honda Odyssey Family & Stuff Hauler

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This...

 

Before you go cutting springs, it looks like you probably have the aluminum spacers at the top of your struts--they were required for US bumper- or headlight-height requirements beginning in 1971 or 1972. Removing them is an easy way to drop the front a bit. You can swap them onto the top of the inner fender to keep the studs from looking too long up there.   -Dave

 

...and it's super easy.  Jack the front wheels off the ground.  Remove the 3 nuts on the top of the fender around the strut bearing to lower the strut assembly. Reach under and pull the spacers off the top of the strut.  Put the strut assembly back into place under the fender (the 3 bolts are not in an equilateral triangle, so they will only go in one way) Take a wire brush to the spacer to since you will be looking at them now when you open the hood. Then place the aluminum spacer on the top side of the fender and attach the nuts.  Repeat on other side.

 

Congratulations on your first '02 mod.  Celebrate your victory with a spirited drive then a beverage of your choice.

 

Ed

 

LOVE your car BTW... classy, classy, classy.

 

If you want to lower the car anymore, buy some lowering springs.  They are not expensive.  ST, HR, Ireland...just to name a few. Installation is also pretty easy with borrowed spring compressor tool from your local auto parts store.  Lots of threads on FAQ about this.  Use the Search feature and the select "Google" from the pull down menu to the right of the entry box.

'69 Granada... long, long ago  

'71 Manila..such a great car

'67 Granada 2000CS...way cool

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This...

 

 

...and it's super easy.  Jack the front wheels off the ground.  Remove the 3 nuts on the top of the fender around the strut bearing to lower the strut assembly. Reach under and pull the spacers off the top of the strut.  Put the strut assembly back into place under the fender (the 3 bolts are not in an equilateral triangle, so they will only go in one way) Take a wire brush to the spacer to since you will be looking at them now when you open the hood. Then place the aluminum spacer on the top side of the fender and attach the nuts.  Repeat on other side.

 

Congratulations on your first '02 mod.  Celebrate your victory with a spirited drive then a beverage of your choice.

 

Ed

 

LOVE your car BTW... classy, classy, classy.

 

If you want to lower the car anymore, buy some lowering springs.  They are not expensive.  ST, HR, Ireland...just to name a few. Installation is also pretty easy with borrowed spring compressor tool from your local auto parts store.  Lots of threads on FAQ about this.  Use the Search feature and the select "Google" from the pull down menu to the right of the entry box.

Gents,

Thanks so much for this tip! I will give this a whirl. Approximately how much "drop" would this mod achieve? I'm probably looking for 1/2 to 1 inch I think, just to "level off" the stance.

Again, many thanks!

Anthony

Anthony

----------------------------------------------------------------------

1972 2002 Atlantik

Bunch of old airhead BMW motorcycles

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Depends... there are a couple of different sizes, but expect about 1/2".  There was a thread about it not long ago  http://www.bmw2002faq.com/topic/167446-aluminum-spacers-as-found-on-struts-of-usa-2002s/

 

I just put in some ST springs on a '75 and removed the spacers at the same time.  I found the combined drop was too far and the tires rubbed the fender lips a bit.  I put the spacers back under the fender and now it sits pretty and no rubbing.  

 

Ed

'69 Granada... long, long ago  

'71 Manila..such a great car

'67 Granada 2000CS...way cool

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I agree. Question: how do I go about lowering the front a bit without chopping up the car? I'm mechanically inclined and have a full shop complete with lift, but am new to these cars. What's the prevailing opinion on lowering these cars a smidge? I'd like to adjust the front, it's a bit nose-high. Is this normal? Should I leave it alone?

If you have the budget for it you can get coil overs so you can adjust to the height you want, (2002garagewerks)

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If you have the budget for it you can get coil overs so you can adjust to the height you want, (2002garagewerks)

Tempting. But I want to try to keep this car as stock as possible. I'll try flipping the spacers to see where that puts the stance.

Anthony

----------------------------------------------------------------------

1972 2002 Atlantik

Bunch of old airhead BMW motorcycles

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