Lowering the 917/30

This car suffers like many high end cars from the curse of the “active” suspension. In a nutshell the car sits too high because the car does not weigh enough to compress the springs that are part of the suspension.

I generally like to find quick, easy and non-destructive ways to compress those springs a bit and thus lower the car. If I can do it with shims or other devices that are all but invisible great, but I’m willing to sacrifice authenticity “under the hood” for proper stance on the shelf.

Here is a picture of my 917/30 when I first got it



Here is a picture of it now



And here is how I did it



Little pieces of copper wire looped between the frame and upper “A” arm. Initially I used silver wire but it was harder to pick out in a photograph – this was before I had a camera with a “macro” setting – so I switched to copper for clarity. The car as it sits today still has the copper wire because I was too lazy to change it back…..LOL

The key to this kind of work though is to be very, very, VERY careful. Compress the suspension to the height you want and then gently snug up the wire. Do not tighten the wire to compress the spring as you run a bigger risk of deforming or breaking suspension pieces. Whenever you try to use this technique watch the pieces carefully. If they start to bend, stop what you are doing and either find another contact point or find another method to lower the car. It is not worth breaking the car just to get it to sit lower and I always cringe a bit when I suggest this method because you will break the car if you pick the wrong connection point or over tighten.

Good luck!