2nd Generation Specific (1986-1992) 1986-1992 Discussion including performance modifications and technical support sections.

Doing my 1st suspension swap ever for used coilovers

Old May 14, 2010 | 08:55 PM
  #1  
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Doing my 1st suspension swap ever for used coilovers

Hey guys
So I grew up without car knowledge so I've picked up everything on my own through trial and error. Dad never taught any car stuff, had friends who didn't work on cars. So how about a lil heads up on whats to come

I picked up some Kei Office Coilovers used. 30k on them I'm told and no adjustment tool came with.

Ride is a 86 FC N/A 5spd coupe base.

These coils have a little wear and use as shown in the 2nd pic
Are they damaged or is this normal?

Anything I should know since our FC's are special om doing the stock suspension swap for these coilovers?


Thanks

<br>
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Old May 14, 2010 | 09:17 PM
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TwEaK's Avatar
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I dont see any reason why you cant use them.. i would try to contact Kei Office and try to find a set of wrenches for them or any tein wrenches will work also as i am running the same on the front and using Tein wrenches to adjust them
TwEaK
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Old May 14, 2010 | 09:54 PM
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Originally Posted by shadow_of_zero
These coils have a little wear and use as shown in the 2nd pic. Are they damaged or is this normal?
The adjustment collars are slightly "stripped", but not too bad. Looks like you still have good "points" on some spots of the collar. Looks like the previous owner gorilla tightened those collars. They should be snug and tight, but not gorilla tight.

Originally Posted by shadow_of_zero
Anything I should know since our FC's are special om doing the stock suspension swap for these coilovers?
Nothing special. Just make sure the springs aren't pre-loaded. The upper adjustment collar should be snug with the spring to the point you can rotate the spring by hand, but not tighter than that. They should not be adjusted either to the point the spring is compressing in the perch (pre-load), unless you know what you are doing.

Height adjustment is done with the lower collar. You loosen that and spin the whole shock mount to the desired height. If you have the rear pair upper spring perches set right (as I mentioned earlier), you will usually be able to get the rear left and right ride height the same by measuring the distance from the upper collar to the lower collar on both sides and making them equal, usually.

Hope that helps.
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Old May 14, 2010 | 10:25 PM
  #4  
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is there a way to adjust without the tool?
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Old May 14, 2010 | 10:27 PM
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motorbike shop should have a wrench that would work
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Old May 14, 2010 | 10:27 PM
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Originally Posted by shadow_of_zero
is there a way to adjust without the tool?
I am sure there is if you have two big enough wrenches and something to protect the collars from scratching, but the tool would be the easiest way and the right way. I would recommend you put some anti-seize on the threads when you get them loose. A lot of the times people report the collars freezing from corrosion.
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Old May 14, 2010 | 10:55 PM
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sweet good to know
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Old May 15, 2010 | 05:15 PM
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you can use a screwdriver and a hammer and put the end of the screwdriver in the notch and tap it around with the hammer to spin the collar but it tends to murk up the collars that much more.. it works though i used that method on my bilstein coilovers on my old m3.
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Old May 15, 2010 | 05:29 PM
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The tools are cheap. Just pick up a new one off ebay or from Kei Office. Messing up expensive coil overs over not buying a 20$ tool isn't worth it.
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Old May 16, 2010 | 10:38 AM
  #10  
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Originally Posted by g14novak
The tools are cheap. Just pick up a new one off ebay or from Kei Office. Messing up expensive coil overs over not buying a 20$ tool isn't worth it.
yeah thats what i was leaning toward
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