Adjusting Coilovers

[oVo]

Hey peepz.

Just wanted to ask. I've got no idea wen it comes to mechanics.
My dc2r came with Tein RA Coilovers and I want to lower the height...
I've got the tools but it didn't come with a manual.

I took it to Pedders to get a quote on how much it was gonna cost to ask them to adjust the height for me.

Was quoted...$80 a corner!!

Now how can I do this myself?
I've read the other post...but I need it in "BASIC" terminology, with pics good too.
I know I'll need an alignment but I can get that done next to nothing.

Please help.

Thanks

[m0nty]

What kind of car is it?

It's easiest if you have access to a hydraulic jack or even better, a hoist.

The easiest way to adjust the front is to jack the car up with the wheels off, loosen the adjustment plates on the strut and then remove the strut top bolts. The spring assembly will then free spin and you can wind it down to the height you want. Just make sure that all 3 rings are locked in when you get to the height you want.

The rear is the same but depending on the model it may be easier to remove the bottom of the strut and wind upwards.

Remember also that excessive lowering will effect your toe and camber settings.

[oVo]

Hey mate,

Thanks for that...helps heaps.

Just clarify somethings...excuse the dumbness.

loosen the adjustment plates on the strut and then remove the strut top bolts. - Where is this found?

all 3 rings - I take that this is on the spring assembly?

Thanks

What kind of car is it?

It's easiest if you have access to a hydraulic jack or even better, a hoist.

The easiest way to adjust the front is to jack the car up with the wheels off, loosen the adjustment plates on the strut and then remove the strut top bolts. The spring assembly will then free spin and you can wind it down to the height you want. Just make sure that all 3 rings are locked in when you get to the height you want.

The rear is the same but depending on the model it may be easier to remove the bottom of the strut and wind upwards.

Remember also that excessive lowering will effect your toe and camber settings.

[m0nty]

The 3 rings are at the base of the strut/spring assembly. You will you one facing upwards, then 2 facing each other. Don't loosen the top one as it's your spring setting. What I do is wind the bottom one to the height I want and then rotate the entire strut until you get to that point, then tighten that plate back down against the lower part of the strut that attaches to the hub assembly.

The 3 strut top bolts are what attached the suspension to the firewall on the chassis, where your strut brace bolts onto if you have one.

[air23box]

Hey mate,

Thanks for that...helps heaps.

Just clarify somethings...excuse the dumbness.

loosen the adjustment plates on the strut and then remove the strut top bolts. - Where is this found?

all 3 rings - I take that this is on the spring assembly?

Thanks

The 3 rings are H and just above E.....you only need to adjust H when you adjust ride height

Adjustment plate on the strut is D and the strut top bolts are A

[itr224]

This is the pic of Tein Ra i have on my car, the two collar's that the spring sit on is where the height adjustment is set.

To lower the height of the suspension, you have to loosen the collars and then move them down towards the bottom of the suspension to your desired ride height.

Then once you are satisfed with the desired ride height, make sure you tighten the two collars back up, by locking the lower collar up against the first collar (that the spring sits on).

I found the easiest way to make sure that the height in each coilover is set evenly, is to count the threads from the bottom to where the collars sit as a guide.

[oVo]

Schweet...

That's awesome help guys!! Thanks!!
Pics / diagrams are great as I'm a visual person

[air23box]

what happen to ur car bro...I saw it in auswide yesterday.....

[oVo]

what happen to ur car bro...I saw it in auswide yesterday.....

Gettin some minor cosmetic looks don to it!! ^_^

[staryknight]

is it true that you should have a wheel allignment done each time you adjust ride heights?

[m0nty]

is it true that you should have a wheel allignment done each time you adjust ride heights?

No. Excessive lowering can change camber and toe but a wheel alignment for minor height adjustments isn't necessary.

[fatboyz39]

Yes as what Monty said no need for a wheel alignment. We have lowered and raise our car on the same wheel alignment and it hasnt changed our lap times.

[staryknight]

thanks guys, this thread is very helpful.

[bennjamin]

only drastic height changes will alter TOE and CAMBER.
If you decide to really lower your car OR you have installed new tyres recently OR you cant recall your last alignment , GET IT DONE AND SAVE YOUR TYRES.

Dont forget to rotate your tyres once every 8-10,000kms. More often if your car is dumped.

[tinkerbell]

w00t! for nice infor:

http://www.jic-magic.com/Files/33-FL...nt%20Guide.pdf