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      04-01-2015, 05:56 PM   #1
jaximointhecut
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Coilover install without experience?

I'm purchasing coilovers this week up and I don't want to pay the crazy high installation charges. I've been quoted as high as 800... like jesus man. Does anyone have any first time experiences changing the suspension on these cars? I'm looking online and apparently the only tools I need for the job are "one rachet, one adjustable wrench, 3 sockets (10mm, 14mm, 17mm), oem jackstand (one corner at a time) and 2 hours of work"

Any input?
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      04-01-2015, 06:19 PM   #2
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Quote:
Originally Posted by giannski View Post
I'm purchasing coilovers this week up and I don't want to pay the crazy high installation charges. I've been quoted as high as 800... like jesus man. Does anyone have any first time experiences changing the suspension on these cars? I'm looking online and apparently the only tools I need for the job are "one rachet, one adjustable wrench, 3 sockets (10mm, 14mm, 17mm), oem jackstand (one corner at a time) and 2 hours of work"

Any input?
It's not an impossible job by any means, but plan on having a full set of metric tools (sockets and wrenches), a torque wrench, a spring compressor if the front coilovers reuse the OEM spring perch, and a schwaben spindle housing spreader. Some people have had luck spreading the spindle with a 1/4" socket extension, but I've broken too many of those to have any faith in them. Also plan on 6 hours minimum if it's your first time and your planning on doing the job on jack stands.
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      04-01-2015, 06:58 PM   #3
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You'll need a lot more than 2 hours to do it. I second the "at least 6 hours" estimate.

Definitely get the Schwaben spindle spreader. It will save you a HUGE headache.

Don't do one side at a time. Pick either the front or the rear, and put it up in the air, do both sides, and let it back down. Once you hook the sway bar up, it will be harder to get the other side together properly. Then do the other end of the car. To clarify, obviously you will do it one side at a time, but make sure you do it in pairs, and get both wheels off the ground.

The way I got my fronts out was releasing all but one of the nuts on top of the tower, loosening the control arms and detaching the sway bar, opening the spindle with the spreader tool, and dropping the spindle completely off the damper, then just taking the last nut off the top and pulling the whole thing out backwards. You will need to use a spring compressor to do it.

Simply reverse it to install the new one.


Beats the piss out of trying to compress the whole thing and press down on it and swivel the unit out below the fender risking the bodywork and paint. I tried doing it that way and it was a huge pain in the ass.
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      04-01-2015, 07:08 PM   #4
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f it, stock height it is lol. not worth the headaches for me.
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      04-01-2015, 07:39 PM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by giannski View Post


f it, stock height it is lol. not worth the headaches for me.
The benefit is getting rid of the shitty stock dampers.
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      04-01-2015, 08:53 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ShocknAwe View Post
The benefit is getting rid of the shitty stock dampers.
I mean if I had a car that was more powerful I'd totally be for it, but I'm in a 128. Don't track or anything. I'll use the effort to save for a future car.

btw, checked your build. badass 135 you have.
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      04-02-2015, 12:58 PM   #7
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      04-02-2015, 03:20 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by giannski View Post
I mean if I had a car that was more powerful I'd totally be for it, but I'm in a 128. Don't track or anything. I'll use the effort to save for a future car.

btw, checked your build. badass 135 you have.
Thank you sir. Getting proper dampers isn't for the track, it's for daily driveability. I can't tell you how many times I crashed out the stock dampers just driving to work. Never happened even once since I changed them out to Billies.
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      04-04-2015, 06:16 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ShocknAwe View Post
Thank you sir. Getting proper dampers isn't for the track, it's for daily driveability. I can't tell you how many times I crashed out the stock dampers just driving to work. Never happened even once since I changed them out to Billies.
Yup. Worth the skinned knuckles.

Don't forget to mask your front fenders with painters tape to reduce damage from the inevitable slips.
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