Coil Springs
Our lowering springs (front and rear coil springs) are designed from the original Ford springs fitted to standard, unmodified, empty panel vehicles with original manufacturers equipment and depending on the model the original steel wheels fitted.
Should a customer have a different type of model from the above i.e 5, 7, 9, 12, 13, 16, 17 or 18 seater, Hybrid, LPG, camper, rear twin wheel, 4×4, security or prison van, MK7/MK8 ambulance (4.6 tonne chassis), Luton, non-UK spec or excessive wear and tear, then it is more than likely a different drop will be achieved due to the weight increase and because of this MYC cannot guarantee the end drop result.
All springs have been tested during the design stage and fitted to test vehicles. Upon receipt of every order we measure the springs against the original design measurements to ensure correct production, correct length and diameter and top bearing fitment.
Springs are designed to give the drop advertised although this can vary slightly depending on the weight of the engine fitted (more so if this has been changed with another engine) and the total front end weight.
MYC will not be held responsible for any other mitigating factors that increase or decrease the drop height from the advertised drop.
Leaf Springs
Leaf springs are measured from the original factory height that would have been fitted to a particular vehicle.
We have the camber measurements for Transit Connect, Transit MK6, MK7 and MK8 Custom.
When a customer requests a pair of lowered leaf springs the manufacturer uses the measurement they wish to lower and this is subtracted from the original camber angle. It’s as simple as that, ie 100mm drop, camber angle is reduced by 100mm.
Some leaf springs have a lower camber angle than others (more common with the Transit Custom AA leafs) and it is imperative that we are informed at the time of purchase of the leaf spring engineering part number so we know which camber angle measurement you have.
Remember, when you lower a vehicle you reduce the load capacity. If you lower to an extreme drop you will cancel any load capacity. If you attempt to carry a load the leaf springs may bend into reverse camber.
Lowering a vehicle may not be suitable for everyone especially if a load is carried regularly.
The manufacturer we use will NOT produce any leaf springs with a negative camber angle as this is dangerous, removes all load capacity and is an MOT failure.
If your vehicle is factory lowered or the leaf springs have been changed previously and is lower than the original Ford standard ride height you must take into account the difference in drop and add this to the drop you require. If this is not done the vehicle will see very little drop after fitting the leaf springs.
This is not a defect in the leaf springs but a calculation error.
Lowering Information
Removing the bumpstops entirely will not fix this problem and will actually make the knocking and banging worse.
Every vehicle reacts differently to parts fitted. No vehicle is ever the same. Just because Dave’s vehicle is lowered does not mean Bob’s vehicle will look the same as Dave’s after lowering.
Some vehicles lowered with leaf springs may not drop exactly as expected and this can be down to a whole host of other factors. It does not mean the leaf springs have been produced incorrectly:
Rear Roll Bar Link Rods – These can stop the chassis from dropping as they are connected to the axle.
Shock Absorbers – Using the original Ford shock absorbers that have reached their maximum travel will stop a vehicle from dropping.
Rear Leaf Spring Brackets – By using the original brackets you have no way of fine tuning the ride height after lowering.
Bump Stops – Failing to cut them down puts pressure on them and they will make a clunking sound when hitting the axle.
Assister Leaf Springs – Assisters are there to do exactly that!! Assist the main leaf to stop it from bending backwards (reverse camber). Some customers flip them over to allow the main leaf to lower further and some customers remove them entirely. There is no right or wrong way and it is down to customer preference.
Should customers decide to omit parts (to save cost) then we cannot be held responsible for issues after lowering. Parts have been designed for a reason and work in conjunction with each other.
Should customers choose to ignore this information then again we cannot be held responsible.
One of the most common questions we receive everyday is ‘can you tell me what drop to have to level the van?’
This question is impossible to answer and there are many factors to take into account and as there is no set list for us to take data from or refer to. It makes it impossible to answer. MYC does not know the history of a customer’s vehicle nor can we be expected to know especially if it has been modified.
Every vehicle reacts differently when lowered. Some vehicles will have different parts fitted from new ie, different size shock absorbers, sports springs fitted etc which can affect the drop, some people tow trailers and caravans, some vehicles have seats, some owners carry weight, some owners use their vehicle for leisure and business thus the weight changes regularly, some owners have roof racks, some owners convert their vehicles to a campervan, some vehicles may have had parts swapped out over the life of the van, some vehicles have more wear and tear than others, the list is endless.
Have you ever wondered why other leaf spring retailers will only lower the rear of a vehicle?? This is the reason.
MYC try to be different and offer front and rear lowering of a vehicle, but what we cannot be expected to know is the precise level measurement. It’s impossible for us to know with so many different variables.