Citroen Specials Club - the club for all lightweight cyclecars

Have just started work on my Lomax 224 Special which is fitted with GAZ coilovers suspension all round. It looks to sit quite high at the back, so measured the ride height and it does indeed sit approx 1.5” higher compared to the front. Have looked at as many pictures of 224’s as I could find on Google and many look to sit quite high at the back.
I could even things out by fitting shorter units at the rear, but am I worrying for no good reason?
Tony

Not sure where to start with a specific answer to your question as virtually all the pics of 224's you look at will be be using the citroen original spring canisters and shocks.
The original 2cv had/has a relatively soft long rear suspension travel to give the well documented smooth ride whilst coping with the full range of minimum to maximum luggage load. The front, by comparison, experiences a much smaller load range.

The Lomax will never (or at least should not) experience the same level of maximum load and thus lowering the rear ride ht is a practical option. This is best achieved by fitting elongated rear (knife edge) eyeshackles (1" longer).

Now to your specific issue, you state your 224 has GAZ coilovers so without knowing how these are installed its impossible to comment, one thing however is you cannot simply fit shorter springs to a coil over.

Finally are you sure its a 224 and not a Lambda?

Bob

Hello Bob, thanks for reply. Don’t know the difference between a 224 and a Lambda, my car originally had doors and a dickie seat but these have been filled in (previous owner had it done by fibreglass specialist). He also had the body lengthened by 8” at the back. I certainly agree that shorter springs must not be fitted to the existing rear units, but I could fit complete new coilovers that are 1” shorter and this would greatly reduce the ride height difference front to back.
Tony

If it had doors and dickie seat then it will be a 224, but clearly very much had lots of works hence your comment "a special".
So if it bothers you then shorter gaz units for the rear is the way to go,

Bob

Bob,Thanks for clarification. It has had lots of alteration which would normally worry me, but it does appear to have been done to a very high standard. Regarding ride height, I probably will fit shorter rear units but will wait till body is complete before final decision. I believe I need to get in touch with you re possible supply of bonnet and front panels.
Tony

Tony,
As you have written your 224 had a dickie seat, this might be a good reason why it is high at the back, extra weight to carry isn't it?. But at the end from a practical point of view I'd rather keep it a little bit higher than to low. Maybe worth measuring the height when loaded I mean fully loaded driver passenger and some gear.
Paul

Thanks Paul, good point re extra weight if dickie seat used. My intention is to get the front suspension set up to give correct ride height and then adjust the rear to suit. This will probably mean replacing the rear GAZ coilovers with shorter units.
Tony

HI Tony your 224 sounds interesting any chance of some pics showing the modifications. Always lots of interest in the different applications of a lomax regards Roger

Hi Roger, I did try to post some photos but they were too large. I will take some of the coilover conversion, then try to remember how to reduce, and will then post.
Regards, Tony

Hopefully this will load some pics of my Lomax 224 Special project. Still not sure on ride heights, so if there is anyone in Kent who has a 223 or 224 and would be prepared to let me have a look and take some measurements, please get in touch.
Tony
01622-842134