ordered el cheapo coilovers and .. wtf ?

[compression]

So I bought the eBay special coilovers, and a spring compressor, I have never played with suspensions or lowering kits for any car so its all new to me. But how in the hell do I put these in ? I understand the basics , compressor the spring , take the nut off then the spring , blah blah blah. But the size difference in between the stock springs and the coilovers is huge, like a gallon jug compared to a small water bottle, I searched around to try and find a tech article but I had no luck.

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<a href=http://s48.photobucket.com/albums/f224/mxdawg121/?action=view&current=IMAG0366.jpg target=_blank><img src=http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f224/mxdawg121/IMAG0366.jpg border=0 alt=></a>

<a href=http://s48.photobucket.com/albums/f224/mxdawg121/?action=view&current=IMAG0364.jpg target=_blank><img src=http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f224/mxdawg121/IMAG0364.jpg border=0 alt=></a>

I assumed when I bought these, it was like. Compress, switch springs and compress again and voila , is there custom fab required? Do I need the take the perch off of the stock unit? Or does the bew spring sit inside of it ?

 

[mitsukid82]

You need to either take it to a shop to remove the old springs. Don't remove the springs on your shocks unless you have a removal kit. The springs are pressure loaded and if you take the nut on top off it will shoot out.

 

[805DSM]

This is similar , Ground Control Coilover kit install, 2G

 

[LandoAWD]

Is the diameter confusing or the install?

Coilovers usually have 2.5 or 2.75 ID springs on all four corners....

 

[compression]

Yea, the diameter. Do these go in the same location as the stock springs? Or do I need to cut off the "perch" I think its called

 

[carnalforce]

You do not need to cut the perch off the stock struts you can hammer it off, and the new springs will sit on the new perches that came with the kit.

 

[DOHCTA]

You need spring compressors to remove the OE coils from the struts (OFF THE CAR) and they look like a long bolt with two antler hooks that attach to the coil, one on each side, using a 19mm or 21mm impact socket and gun, tighten both spring compressors in sequence (I usually rotate from side to side) and then when the load is relieved from the top hat. You can then use (I believe it's a 15mm nut) an open ended adjustable wrench and socket/wratchet to remove the top nut holding the top hat to the strut dowel. You will want to keep your top hats and rubber mounts for the coil "overs" but in your picture, it comes with (red) rubber top hat mounts, so maybe you don't need the OE ones. Also you may want to trim the yellow foam bump stop so that it allows more travel if you plan to go lower than 1.5"s.

After removing stock coils, you shouldn't even need to use spring compressors to reinstall the new coils you have pictured there as they look adjustable in ride height (hence the spanner wrench) so assuming you have them set to the lowest point, you can then use the spanner wrench to bring them back up to your desired ride height.

Hope that's helpful?!?

FYI, these coil "overs" aren't too forgiving in spring rate. From your OE to these ones, you will notice every little PEBBLE in the road.

 

[spyder1219]

I had a pair of specials in my 2g NA, and the ride was god awful. It also broke my perches clean off the weld after 10-20k.. The specials ha some junk threaded sleeve and some Allen set screws. Tightening the set screws warped the threa all directions. Took an hour to get one in the area of where I wanted it. It looked great, but the ride man, nobody wanted to be a passenger. Lol

 

[compression]

So I bought the eBay special coilovers, and a spring compressor,

Car has a 10 point cage , no sound deafening, carpet padding and thread nothing under the dash and it rattles. Not to concerned about the ride


It's already quite annoying to drive., and yes that does help a lot thanks!

 

[dsmdeliveryboy]

Throw them away and save your life, the term you get what you pay for comes into play here. You decide, your life or cheap suspension.

 

[91stocker]

It's already quite annoying to drive., and yes that does help a lot thanks!

Hope you have a strong back. Might want to wear a helmet and neck brace too, for when you bounce your head of the roof

 

[DSM_PWR]

Throw them away and save your life, the term you get what you pay for comes into play here. You decide, your life or cheap suspension.

x2...

 

[burkgonzo]

Eiback pro kit and some good struts.

 

[compression]

Throw them away and save your life, the term you get what you pay for comes into play here. You decide, your life or cheap suspension.

I sell tires for a living, and I assure you there are way more tire failures then suspension failures. A blowout going 100 is just as catastrophic as a suspension failure I'm sure. Yet people still buy the " cheaper " tire and live healthy long lives.

I doubt putting these springs on my car will kill me instantly.

Wife kid and all the bills that come with it don't allow for me to spend 500-1000$ on suspension ,thanks for making me feel bad as if I don't feel like shit everytime my paycheck is gone completely as soon as I get Payed.

 

[XiKeiyaZI]

Hope you have a strong back. Might want to wear a helmet and neck brace too, for when you bounce your head of the roof

Probably the most hilarious thing I've read this week, and I've been following Nicolas Cage on Twitter.

I sell tires for a living, and I assure you there are way more tire failures then suspension failures. A blowout going 100 is just as catastrophic as a suspension failure I'm sure. Yet people still buy the " cheaper " tire and live healthy long lives.

I doubt putting these springs on my car will kill me instantly.

Wife kid and all the bills that come with it don't allow for me to spend 500-1000$ on suspension ,thanks for making me feel bad as if I don't feel like shit everytime my paycheck is gone completely as soon as I get Payed.

Look, no one is trying to break your balls, I assure you. It's just that many of us are jaded by either running into issues with such purchases or we know people who have lost their cars, ability to drive, or their lives by going with cheaper solutions. Thing is - Anything can fail, and they do. However, the more expensive parts are usually developed to be abused more and last longer with minimal failures. Why take the chance?

I doubt these will fail and kill you, the neighbor, the neighbors dog, and the President - but just save up. Put back $20 a week for a few months and then buy yourself something nice that you won't regret! Trust me, most of us know how it is (save for you uselessly rich individuals) and look at what we have now? It takes patience. Just bite down and be patient. Trust me, it pays off.

 

[dsmdeliveryboy]

Probably the most hilarious thing I've read this week, and I've been following Nicolas Cage on Twitter.



Look, no one is trying to break your balls, I assure you. It's just that many of us are jaded by either running into issues with such purchases or we know people who have lost their cars, ability to drive, or their lives by going with cheaper solutions. Thing is - Anything can fail, and they do. However, the more expensive parts are usually developed to be abused more and last longer with minimal failures. Why take the chance?

I doubt these will fail and kill you, the neighbor, the neighbors dog, and the President - but just save up. Put back $20 a week for a few months and then buy yourself something nice that you won't regret! Trust me, most of us know how it is (save for you uselessly rich individuals) and look at what we have now? It takes patience. Just bite down and be patient. Trust me, it pays off.

Nicely put

 

[stuckwithgsx]

Probably the most hilarious thing I've read this week, and I've been following Nicolas Cage on Twitter.



Look, no one is trying to break your balls, I assure you. It's just that many of us are jaded by either running into issues with such purchases or we know people who have lost their cars, ability to drive, or their lives by going with cheaper solutions. Thing is - Anything can fail, and they do. However, the more expensive parts are usually developed to be abused more and last longer with minimal failures. Why take the chance?

I doubt these will fail and kill you, the neighbor, the neighbors dog, and the President - but just save up. Put back $20 a week for a few months and then buy yourself something nice that you won't regret! Trust me, most of us know how it is (save for you uselessly rich individuals) and look at what we have now? It takes patience. Just bite down and be patient. Trust me, it pays off.

Very well said. But I have no room to talk...patience sucks!!!

But agreed that it is all well worth it to be patient. Every fiber in my body says "get something for your car with every last penny" but saving the pennies gets things that are really better, and not just half-as$ed kind of better.

I did have a set of some elay specials and they were a rough rough rough ride. I liked it a lot just because it was different and i got my car really really low with them. But now with say...1000 miles and tires that do me no good anymore because of camber, and toe wear i've gotten some skunk 2 coilovers. I just put the fronts on as I was pulling the engine so when i set it back down the car sits really high, and i'm kinda worried i'll be up at stockish height (adjusted all the way down right now) but I know my handling will be better and I will sleep a little better at night knowing my car is treated with the love she really deserves

 

[compression]

Thank you, that was constructive. And polite. I have a stupid question, which springs go where ? The one with longer threads go in the back ?

 

[XiKeiyaZI]

Someone else will need to chime in on that. I don't recall.

 

[compression]

Anytime you adjust the height of your car, or your.tire size you need to have the car properly aligned. I know this and I will have it done. This is a track car , will see maybe 1000 street miles a year. Just wanted to do something about the spaceshuttle launch simulation when I launch and the nose points straight in the air .

 

[DOHCTA]

typically the denser looking spring (beefier) would mount in the front.

 

[compression]

So those would be the ones with more threads. Ok, I really wish this thing cams with even basic instructions. What are the orings for ? And where do all those set screws go ?

 

[XiKeiyaZI]

The Screws are used to mount the threaded/hollow cylinders to the shock itself. It keeps it stationary.

 

[dsmdeliveryboy]

I don't know if they set up the same way as gc coilover sleeves but go on vfaq and look at how they install the struts on the coilovers on there. You may have to do some trimming on the spring perches

 

[compression]

on the link that was posted earlier, they say you don't need a spring compressor to take off the springs, just put it upside down. Mine hasn't come in yet. should i try this?

also , i was under the impression the threads and the adjustment was on the top, but looking at that link, does it go on the bottom?