My 1992 Seven is living in an environment with lots of speed bumps and pot holes. I am changing the tyres from 60R13 to Yokohama 185/70R13. The rears are on but the front will need the mud guard supports cutting and extending by about 25mm to allow a clearance for the new tyres. Just changing the rears has made a huge difference - funny how an extra 20 mm makes such a big impact.

My problem is that the shock absorbers adjustment is wound completely tight. If I loosen them off I am back to square one with clearance. Can I purchase and fit longer shocks and if so who are best suppliers out there? Will this adversely affect the suspicion set up? Somebody also suggested welding a lug extension on the existing? Please bear with me, I am an engineer but sadly not mechanical so my knowledge is very limited and experience zero. Our location is not in the UK, very remote and difficult to get advice and parts. Any suggestions would be very welcome.

Which shocks do you mean? Front or rears?
The height setting should be based on handling, not clearance.
The basic rule is the rear arm of the front lower wishbone should parallel to the ground.
The rear of the car should then be about 15mm higher from the ground, measured from the lower chassis tube.

Any help?

Eugene
Thanks Eugene,

Front and rear.

I've spoken to Protech and they pointed out that the ride height won't be changing with the new dampers. The longer dampers will allow the car to sit at it's current height but have play left in the dampers as opposed to the way they are now, wound completely up with no play left at all. Seems like they can help me out. I just need to check and supply the current lengths. Alternately I can increase the length further giving me a bit more clearance for the islands nasty roads. Hopefully this won't produce problems elsewhere.

Great - let us know how you get on!