More suspension travel on lowered 190

[codydaniels]

I have a 1991 190 with a evo II body kit.As many here have said the fender gap on fevo's look terible.I run 18" wheels with 225/40/18 tires.Well I lowered my car to make it look the way I wanted (2 5/8 fender to tire gap now)and found out that it did not have the suspension travel that I needed.To solve this I found some aluminum tubing the same diameter as the strut bearings.Cut it to1.5 inches in length and installed them between the stut bearing and stut tower useing grade 8 fasteners.When reassembled (and re alligned)I now have a car that has plenty of travel without bottoming out.I would highly recomend this mod to anyone with a lowerd 190.I have some finished pictures but cant seem to upload them,if anyone wants to see I can send them to your email

[Glen]

I don't understand what you are describing. Please post some pix.

[codydaniels]

I cant post pix for whatever reason.Basicly what I did was to remove the upper strut bushing and place it on top with a 1.5 inch spacer.That mves the strut bushing close to the hood but with some carefull work it does clear by about 1/4 to 1/2 inch between the bushing and hood.Send me your email and Ill forward the pictures I have (codydaniels@comcast.net)

[Glen]

Check your PM's.

[MTI]

Perhaps upload them to our Gallery?

[Glen]

If I'm understanding your description, you may want to take a look at the R129 SL strut mounts which bolt in but may touch the underside of the hood.

Here's the standard mount:


And here's the R129/4-matic mount:


It might be better to use the R129 mount and space it down instead of mounting the entire mount above the tower with spacers. JMHO.

Also, note that the R129 mount has an additional bracket that goes above as a safety measure to protect the hood should the mount fail.

[chrisfball12]

Yeah just go to our gallery and uploaded it inside.

[Glen]

I coudn't upload them to the Rev either but here ya go:

[Glen]

Did you use any type of reinforcement on the underside of the strut tower? I would be worried about it deforming under load but overall, I think your solution is workable although I am a little concerned about the ring moving.

Btw...looks like we're out of disk space for file uploads. Stay tuned.

[codydaniels]

I had that concern myself but when you think of it there isn't that much stress at that point.All the stress would be at the spring mounts.While im sure there is pressure at the strut bushing its not anymore than the strut itself can exert.When I first reasembled it I did bounce the car quite a bit and did not see anything move.The metal at that point is fairly thick.I have put about 200 miles on it so far and the "ring" has not moved at all.It actually fits into a slight recess and can not move forwards,backwards or side to side.

[codydaniels]

I forgot to mention that "ring" is 7/16" thick so it is very solid.

[veedubfreak86]

i would feel better with the r129 mount and bracket but that is a very cost effective way to get more travel good work

[Ake RT]

Your shock......does not have in the Tokico catalogue.

What model does your shock come from?

[codydaniels]

You are the first to notice that.They is from a E36 BMW.All 3 lower mounting points are the same as ours are.The upper shaft mount is slightly different.The main housing is 3/4" shorter than a 190's for a little more travel.It works really nice.

[Glen]

Originally Posted by codydaniels

You are the first to notice that.They is from a E36 BMW.All 3 lower mounting points are the same as ours are.The upper shaft mount is slightly different.The main housing is 3/4" shorter than a 190's for a little more travel.It works really nice.

Wow, I had no idea the E36 strut had the same lower mount points as our cars. Great find!

What's different about the shaft? Any pix?