Installing coilover questions Options

[whatthe]

Im new to the whole coilover suspension. And wanting to have a few questions answered before i go ahead and install them.
1. Can i measure a drop from a stock strut and spring. Putting them side by side and adjusting the coilover 2" higher from the hub mount. Tho i was thinking spring would compress differently giving off a differnt ride height already than the coilover as its softer.
Whats the easiest way to know how much im dropping without dropping the car on the coilover and looking at it. Then raising it back up. Take off the hub/rotor/mount and adjusting accordingly.

2. Im almost certain im not suppose to play with the spring height andonly the hub/rotor/mount height (where the rotor connects on). Is this right?
Eg. In this pic the person is adjusting the spring height. In the manual it tells me do not, but i see countless pics of people doing so.


And only adjust from where his left hand is?


3. How certain will i know if i have gotten the right settings, in a scenario where i go over a pothole in the road and the
wheel hits the wheel arch and ****s it up?

4. Should i get the right ride height on one side first eg. f&r of left first. And match it up with the right? or just raise the rear, do both lower it and do the front?

5. Anything i miss that i should know about before installing on the weekend please let me know.

This post has been edited by whatthe: Feb 2, 2010 - 9:53 AM

[trdproven]

Im new to the whole coilover suspension. And wanting to have a few questions answered before i go ahead and install them.
1. Can i measure a drop from a stock strut and spring. Putting them side by side and adjusting the coilover 2" higher from the hub mount. Tho i was thinking spring would compress differently giving off a differnt ride height already than the coilover as its softer.
Whats the easiest way to know how much im dropping without dropping the car on the coilover and looking at it. Then raising it back up. Take off the hub/rotor/mount and adjusting accordingly.
Not sure never checked but you can tell by your old height measurement and your new height. for example you had a two inch gap in your old sus and now your gap is 1 inch, you just dropped it one in. thats an example.

2. Im almost certain im not suppose to play with the spring height andonly the hub/rotor/mount height (where the rotor connects on). Is this right?
Eg. In this pic the person is adjusting the spring height. In the manual it tells me do not, but i see countless pics of people doing so.

You never touch the spring load adjustment unless thats what you want and know what you are doing. You can just use the damper control for the stiffness or softness.

And only adjust from where his left hand is?


3. How certain will i know if i have gotten the right settings, in a scenario where i go over a pothole in the road and the
wheel hits the wheel arch and ****s it up?
You have to drive and feel for it yourself, from there you adjust the fronts and rears according to your preference.

4. Should i get the right ride height on one side first eg. f&r of left first. And match it up with the right? or just raise the rear, do both lower it and do the front?
Suspension always goes by pairs like tires, do the fronts and then the rears or vice versa. You won't know whats going on to the height by doing one side. They are like tires change the front tires together. not one back and one front.

5. Anything i miss that i should know about before installing on the weekend please let me know.

did it by myself but got a sore back but if you can let me know, i noticed on mine the brake bracket was backwards and I had to bend it in order for it to reach. I am certain its not the wrong side because the end links only go in one way and the rears assys are not interchangeable like the fronts.

This post has been edited by trdproven: Feb 2, 2010 - 10:33 PM