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Maxi Life Twin Leafs - Lowering Options?

Posted: Sun Oct 30, 2011 5:17 pm
by NutterKam
Stumped on this one - looks like all lowering kits are only for the single leaf Caddy. The fronts are, obviously, straight forward being coi springs but does anyone know of any options for the rear other than resetting the leafs (whatever that actually involves!)? I'm not looking for a mad drop - just 45mm ish like the Eibach kit for the regular Caddy.
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Re: Maxi Life Twin Leafs - Lowering Options?

Posted: Sun Oct 30, 2011 6:38 pm
by minibikepro31
is the maxi van not an opition on the v maxx kits? in shore it just comes with longer bolts to go over the 2 springs not the one?

Re: Maxi Life Twin Leafs - Lowering Options?

Posted: Sun Oct 30, 2011 8:07 pm
by vagnostics_ltd
I have a set of twin springs from a maxi ill be using when flipping my axle

Re: Maxi Life Twin Leafs - Lowering Options?

Posted: Sun Oct 30, 2011 10:37 pm
by NutterKam
minibikepro31 wrote:is the maxi van not an opition on the v maxx kits? in shore it just comes with longer bolts to go over the 2 springs not the one?
You are indeed correct! I clearly need to pay more attention! :oops:

Re: Maxi Life Twin Leafs - Lowering Options?

Posted: Mon Oct 31, 2011 9:44 am
by NutterKam
FYI for those who also have Maxi (+Life) and are looking for the same lowering info...

As mentioned, VMaxx do sell a kit specifically for the 2 leaf Maxi - they have longer bolts for the leaf-axle clamp. However, what's appalling is that on the VMaxx website itself they've been so lazy on the cut and paste that it says 'Only for models with 1 leaf spring rear L/R' even in the description for Maxi specific kits. In my searches, I have also found that Eibach include longer bolts in their kit for Maxi variants. The Eibach installation PDF has pictures of the clamp made by KW so it looks like their kit is Eibach springs + KW clamps and other bits. I've not completed an exhaustive search because the documentation even from manufacturers themselves is shockingly bad.

The Eibach part number is E10-85-019-02-22 for 1.9/2.0 TDi - springs and clamps only. However, it is worth noting that the maximum axle load ratings quoted by Eibach is 1095/1200kg front/rear respectively and the HIGHEST VW factory front/rear axle load figures are 1200/1300kg for different variants of the Maxi (and that's without trailer towing). Therefore, be advised.

Personally, I'm going for the Eibach as they seem to be the only people bothered to provide accurate data and enjoy a good (general) reputation.

http://performance-suspension.eibach.de ... ologations
http://www.v-maxx.co.uk/coilovers.asp?p ... =47&m2=183

Re: Maxi Life Twin Leafs - Lowering Options?

Posted: Mon Oct 31, 2011 10:37 am
by JonDogg
i had a dream last night i didnt realise my caddy was a maxi and i just ordered the wrong coilovers :( lol

Re: Maxi Life Twin Leafs - Lowering Options?

Posted: Fri Nov 04, 2011 5:50 pm
by NutterKam
Just for the record, spoke to Paddington Motor Springs in Wembley and they can reset leaf springs to your spec. To do a Caddy, they said about 110+vat So there you have it - an alternative means for lowering the rear of a Caddy, albeit a rather permanent solution!

Re: Maxi Life Twin Leafs - Lowering Options?

Posted: Fri Nov 04, 2011 7:16 pm
by vagnostics_ltd
Sounds about right...Thats what Brigg Road Springs are charging me

Matt

Re: Maxi Life Twin Leafs - Lowering Options?

Posted: Sun Jan 29, 2012 1:45 pm
by ryanp
Caddy Maxi springs wont fit a SWB caddy :(

Re: Maxi Life Twin Leafs - Lowering Options?

Posted: Sun Jan 29, 2012 3:37 pm
by NutterKam
ryanp wrote:Caddy Maxi springs wont fit a SWB caddy :(
No, not the the rear twin leafs.

Maxi Life Twin Leafs - Lowering Options?

Posted: Sun Jan 29, 2012 7:14 pm
by hedge
Shame cos the twin leafs are (by Vw emission) supposed to be softer ride

Maxi Life Twin Leafs - Lowering Options?

Posted: Sun Jan 29, 2012 9:43 pm
by Splitpin
You can get short caddy twin springs, I will dig out a part number.

Re: Maxi Life Twin Leafs - Lowering Options?

Posted: Sun Jan 29, 2012 10:59 pm
by Lams
I have lowered 2x Caddy Life(s) - one a SWB with Vmaxx and a Maxi with KW

Both vans we kept the original twin leaf springs, all you need to do is get longer bolts for them. The softer ride for these springs I found is not a good thing because in both cars, the rear is noticably softer than the front. Also, after lowering and greatly reducing the suspension travel, it doesn't take much load now until it's almost sitting on the bump stops.

I had a look at some options to try to help that... looked at air suspension, getting taller cellasto helpers to engage the helper spring sooner, and using commercial single leaves. But haven't had much time lately

Oh and just something I learned from the hard (and expensive) way - the KW kit is worth every dollar over the vmaxx kit.

For the Maxi - the KW also came with an additional pair of control bars for the rear suspension, which are making things hard to fit air suspension

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Maxi Life Twin Leafs - Lowering Options?

Posted: Mon Jan 30, 2012 7:11 pm
by hedge
Did you find the twin leafs more comfortable/better drive or more of a pain? (lower and normal)?
as I don't really drive loaded I was wondering if this would be a better every day drive?

Re: Maxi Life Twin Leafs - Lowering Options?

Posted: Tue Jan 31, 2012 2:29 am
by Lams
I don't know mate - I don't have a cargo Caddy to compare it to
But I find it isn't well matched to the front and I thought cargo Caddy springs would match better
I don't usually drive loaded but when I have 5 - 7 people on board it won't take a big bump to hit the bump stops.
Or if you're moving a fridge