GC coilovers: how to line up before car drop?

[everbruin]

i asked for 400 lb rear springs, but didn't realize how short they are.

even if i turn the rear collar as high as possible, the rubber gc top mount and flat steel washer above it are both still 1" BELOW the aluminum "cup" washer. so i don't know how it's possible to line up and guarantee that the cup washer will go thru the opening in the rubber mount and flat washer when i drop the car.

in front i can raise the collar such that the rubber mount is flush w/ cup washer, thereby guaranteeing a line up. but i guess the guarantee would vanish if i lowered the front collars enough, such that the gc rubber mount is below the cup washer.

thanks for any ideas/tips!
an.

 

[bigfoot]

I'm not familiar with 2Gs so I can't help you with installation but I know this, GC won't take them back if there are scratches on the inside of the springs. So if you drive with them you own them.

 

[FORMONTOYA]

that is a problem w/coilover kits on the 2g. nothing is wrong, however to keep the upper 'washer' seated you would need to use a 'tender' (sp?) spring on the rear. this is a way smaller spring rate spring than the main one in use. it helps keep the upper ring seated when weight comes off a corner (see sharp angle gas station entrance). one corner on the back (especially with the rates you have) will actually come off the seat and could couse a 'poping' sound when it binds up and then re-sets itself. mine has done this since the day i got my cg coilovers (again, only on steep grades at an angle). most of your higher end kits (spring/shock combos) have the 'tender' spring as part of the kit. i have read somewhere (in this forum, but can't locate it quickly) that someone sells a tender spring kit pretty cheap, but mine has been on for about 6 years with no problem. also, the upper washer will 'locate' itself, or if you are that worried, just lower it VERY SLOWLY so you can stick your hand (at your own risk) up in there to manually set it.


jim

 

[bigfoot]

http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/showthread.php?t=152351&highlight=tender+spring
This one? Hypercoil tenders for $25.

 

[everbruin]

ah, thanks. does the helper/tender spring come w/ some kind of connector to go betw springs?

pic and info here:
http://e30m3performance.com/tech_articles/susp-tech/springs/

 

[Toshiro]

one corner on the back (especially with the rates you have) will actually come off the seat and could couse a 'poping' sound when it binds up and then re-sets itself. mine has done this since the day i got my cg coilovers (again, only on steep grades at an angle).

Oooooh, so that's what that noise is! Haha thanks for the info. I assume that isn't harmful or anything, just not ideal, correct?

 

[bigfoot]

If they don't reseat properly it throws the alignment and corner weights off. I know of a local guy that drilled holes in the hats and safetywired the top of the springs into place.

 

[FORMONTOYA]

If they don't reseat properly it throws the alignment and corner weights off. I know of a local guy that drilled holes in the hats and safetywired the top of the springs into place.

that is true. however, mine has always managed to re-seat itself with the old 'tire warming' (s) manuver after coming off the lift. during an alignment , the guy that does mine understands what is going on back there. really good idea about safty wire. though i would just wire the upper washer (rear) in place as that is what gets "catywhompus" (huh?).

jim