Coilover Sleeves help :/

[Brandon_DSM]

Okay, so i've done probably 2 hours of reading on this today and still don't freakin' get it..
Also, if you're gonna just gonna criticize and be an asshole then just don't post a response.

I recently bought new struts all around and a set of 4 eBay coilover sleeves (shallow pockets at the moment).

I installed the parts and lowered the sleeves all the way, but it still looks like the car is stock height, if not higher! I have a 5 finger gap on the front and a 4 finger gap in the back .. i'm pretty sure i didn't install the backs on the front and vice versa.. so what gives?
I've read about cutting either the spring or the perch but that sounds sketchy and I'm sure something would go wrong so i've basically ruled that one out.

A buddy of mine has cheaper eBay coilover sleeves and his wheels are nicely tucked (not slammed, but a nice flush)


TL;DR: how do i go lower than stock height with ebay coilover sleeves?

 

[NordicSaab]

You already nailed your problem. The perches need to be cut and somehow mounted to the strut cylinders.

You can't expect the car to be lower when your placing new springs ON TOP OF the original perches

 

[Brandon_DSM]

Would it be possble/a bad idea for me to remove the sleeve and just use the blue spring on the struts? I don't have the tools to cut the perch and i'm pretty sure i'm not supposed to be potentially above stock height without having to physically alter the strut

 

[NordicSaab]

You could, but the spring will not sit properly in the perch. The ID of a coil over coil is much smaller than that of the eom spring...

If your just looking for a quick easy way to lower the car you could cut 1/2 coil out of the eom springs (providing they are not progressive) or get a set of spring clamps and tighten them down.

Neither way is really the right way, but I don't think you will be able to get those coil overs working w/o some modification.

Here is a write up I found on another forum: DIY: Cutting Front Perch for Coilover Sleeves - 7th Gen Honda Forum - The #1 Community for 2001-2005 Honda Civic Enthusiasts

 

[Brandon_DSM]

It looks like that guy's perch is a lot larger than the one's i'm working with, i can see why he had to cut his. mine don't look like there's anywhere to cut them without damaging the strut itself and even if i did, it would lower it less than half an inch it looks like to me.

ARGH this is stressful.

 

[NordicSaab]

It looks like that guy's perch is a lot larger than the one's i'm working with, i can see why he had to cut his. mine don't look like there's anywhere to cut them without damaging the strut itself and even if i did, it would lower it less than half an inch it looks like to me.

ARGH this is stressful.

I get it man... I made my first set of coil overs and I had to cut the eom perch off and weld in a collar where I wanted it.

 

[RamenPride]

Would it be possble/a bad idea for me to remove the sleeve and just use the blue spring on the struts? I don't have the tools to cut the perch

You can't use just the spring, because it's 2.5" diameter, and the stock spring up top is much larger. Basically, the top mount wouldn't fit correctly and you'd have all sorts of problems. Are those stock struts? If so, flip them upside down and use a mallet or hammer to knock them off.

 

[snowborder714]

So you know, the two collars you're adjusting are for spring preload and not ride height (as others have pointed out).

 

[Brandon_DSM]

@snow So how do I adjust the ride height ?

@ramen Flip the struts upside down and knock what off? The perches ? Also they're not OEM struts but i'm sure they're no better haha

 

[snowborder714]

See the black piece that the bottom of the collar is sitting on? That needs to be moved to adjust ride height. From the looks of it, as others have already said, you will need to remove that one somehow and weld a new one on (or something similar).