Fitting coilovers, am i out of my depth?
#1
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Fitting coilovers, am i out of my depth?
Just bought some apex coilovers for sti 02 and I am trying to save the cost of fitting. Is it an easy job for a novice, What tools will I need (trolley jack, socket set etc), Do I need to torque to a certain amount, where do I start? Any help whatsoever would be appreciated and as detailed as possible.
Thanks,
Andy
Thanks,
Andy
Last edited by Lagamorphandy; 22 September 2010 at 02:04 PM.
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once on mate the geo will need a pro to set up but not that difficult to change mate
https://www.scoobynet.com/wales-26/8...er-05-wrx.html
https://www.scoobynet.com/wales-26/8...er-05-wrx.html
Last edited by pinkypurkhardt; 22 September 2010 at 04:43 PM.
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If you have any doubts whatsoever then get it done by someone who knows what they are doing. As a minimum you'll need:
Trolley jack
Axel stands
Breaker bar (I can guarantee the nuts on the hubs will be solid)
Coil spring compressors.
Getting the struts out is relatively straight forward, but if you need to reuse any of the spring seats or top-mounts you'll need to strip the struts, which can be a PITA. Ideally you'll need a bench vice or a workbench to clamp the struts, but it can be done without. You will need to strip out the rear seats.
Why not post up in the West Midlands section and see if anyone can help you out.
Trolley jack
Axel stands
Breaker bar (I can guarantee the nuts on the hubs will be solid)
Coil spring compressors.
Getting the struts out is relatively straight forward, but if you need to reuse any of the spring seats or top-mounts you'll need to strip the struts, which can be a PITA. Ideally you'll need a bench vice or a workbench to clamp the struts, but it can be done without. You will need to strip out the rear seats.
Why not post up in the West Midlands section and see if anyone can help you out.
#5
You will not need spring compressors to fit coilovers.
It really is easy. If you can service your car ie. oil change then you can do struts.
Breaker bar, six sided sockets and open ended spanners is a must though, for those bottom strut bolts.
dipster.
It really is easy. If you can service your car ie. oil change then you can do struts.
Breaker bar, six sided sockets and open ended spanners is a must though, for those bottom strut bolts.
dipster.
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Lol I know I need a torque wrench pinky but how tight, what setting? Bc/apex now come with oe style rubber top mounts so I don't think I need to strip the old ones.
#10
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If the original struts have never been out before, as said, the two strut to hub bolts will be TIGHT! unless the camber on the front has been re-set at some time, at which they would have been slackened to adjust the camber bolt.
You'll be surprised how straightforward the job is.
JohnD
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i prob be able to get the torque setting for the oe set up off the subaru service manual for you but dont know if they would be the same for your coilovers mate if it dont say any different on any of the manuals you got with the coilovers cant see it being different but cant be positive on that sorry
#13
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Got mine today and no instruction leaflet. Fortunately, I've had the suspension to bits before, so it's not a problem but -
1) Is the pre-load set before installation (If so, it would have been done at the factory?) or after installation while still jacked, to ensure the strut is fully extended?
2) Amount of pre-load?
3) Re-set pre-load after how many miles (to compensate for spring settle)
Think I'll send an enquiry to Bren via the BC website. I'll post his reply.
JohnD
PS I've just posted some questions in the group buy thread as I saw that Bren had recently posted in there.
1) Is the pre-load set before installation (If so, it would have been done at the factory?) or after installation while still jacked, to ensure the strut is fully extended?
2) Amount of pre-load?
3) Re-set pre-load after how many miles (to compensate for spring settle)
Think I'll send an enquiry to Bren via the BC website. I'll post his reply.
JohnD
PS I've just posted some questions in the group buy thread as I saw that Bren had recently posted in there.
Last edited by JohnD; 23 September 2010 at 05:30 PM.
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JohnD
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all 4 fitted now but have it way too low mud flaps scrape when cornering also im sure i can hear a grinding noise on sharp right hand cornering??
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While it's jacked, you could wind out the strut from the hub mount to raise the car, again, 2 turns will raise the car 4mm.
JohnD
Just been to the shed to check mine (won't be fitted for a week or so) and although I can turn the spring by hand, they are in fact pre-loaded.
If I were you, I'd concentrate on getting the ride height to a sensible figure then experiment with the damping.
Last edited by JohnD; 24 September 2010 at 10:26 AM.
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ok had a play with hight and pre load got that sorted but when i took it in for tracking drivers side rear had -4 degrees and could only be moved to -2 degrees and no further with camber bolts could the top mount be fitted backwards? also the fronts seem to rattle and knock a little at low speed small bumps. Think i may just throw it at someone like powerstation to sort out. thx for all the help guys ;D
Before:
After:
not a massive drop but my flaps catch leaving the drive onto the road, i could just take a stanley to them and drop some more
Before:
After:
not a massive drop but my flaps catch leaving the drive onto the road, i could just take a stanley to them and drop some more
#23
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ok had a play with hight and pre load got that sorted but when i took it in for tracking drivers side rear had -4 degrees and could only be moved to -2 degrees and no further with camber bolts could the top mount be fitted backwards? also the fronts seem to rattle and knock a little at low speed small bumps. Think i may just throw it at someone like powerstation to sort out. thx for all the help guys ;D
Before:
After:
not a massive drop but my flaps catch leaving the drive onto the road, i could just take a stanley to them and drop some more
Before:
After:
not a massive drop but my flaps catch leaving the drive onto the road, i could just take a stanley to them and drop some more
The car looks as low as you would wisely go for the public roads - don't forget those road humps!
JohnD
Last edited by JohnD; 26 September 2010 at 03:49 PM.
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No adjustment on rear top mounts but i did fit camber bolts and i still cant get below 2 deg negative although the alignment guy did struggle with the camber adjustments on the front topmounts (because the computer didnt show him how with a picture ).
Was only thinking about shaving another 5mm or 10mm off but seeing your comments i may leave it as is.
Was only thinking about shaving another 5mm or 10mm off but seeing your comments i may leave it as is.
#27
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No adjustment on rear top mounts but i did fit camber bolts and i still cant get below 2 deg negative although the alignment guy did struggle with the camber adjustments on the front topmounts (because the computer didnt show him how with a picture ).
Was only thinking about shaving another 5mm or 10mm off but seeing your comments i may leave it as is.
Was only thinking about shaving another 5mm or 10mm off but seeing your comments i may leave it as is.
Let us know if you find what is causing the rattle at the front?
JohnD
#28
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Fitted the fronts this morning, will do the rears tomorrow.
I took the precaution of unscrewing the hub mount and copper greasing the threads as recommended by Bren then re-fitting leaving the units 10mm longer and I'm glad I did as the front now sits a bit lower than when on the Prodrive springs but if I had left them "out of the box" it would have been far too low. I will need to raise them about 10mm to get the height I want, to clear the road humps round here!
I've lengthened the rears in readyness for fitting.
JohnD
I took the precaution of unscrewing the hub mount and copper greasing the threads as recommended by Bren then re-fitting leaving the units 10mm longer and I'm glad I did as the front now sits a bit lower than when on the Prodrive springs but if I had left them "out of the box" it would have been far too low. I will need to raise them about 10mm to get the height I want, to clear the road humps round here!
I've lengthened the rears in readyness for fitting.
JohnD