How do I get them back to the correct spring rates?

Does anyone have a tape measure to see what the length is on their springs (uncompressed) and I can gestimate from there?

Is there a better/easier way to get them back to the correct rates?

Thanks

 

you mean you compress the spring on the JIC?
If that is what happened.
Just loosen the spring perch, until the spring is loose.
Then start tightening until perch snug to spring, then add 1/2 turns.
Those are the instruction I got from Rishie. For JIC Installation.
When I got them, the spring were compresed really hard.

 

I feel obliged to point out that "spring pre-load" is what you are talking about. The spring rates are unaffected, only the length of the suspension stroke is affected.

 

Thank you....

sorry about the misuse of terms but you are correct rynberg....they changed the spring pre-load

Thanks Reza! Good to get the info

 

Changing spring preload would not change the rate of a linear spring. However, in the case of a progressive spring, changing preload would effectively change the initial spring rate.

That said, I see from JIC Magic's website that the five models listed all use linear springs. Thus, your spring rates should be unaffected in any case.

BTW, which model of coilover do you have?

 

the JIC-FLTA2

I was the one that first posted on the dented hood issue.

so artowar...if it is the same...then changing the preload did raise my car up somewhat...is this how corner balancing is done?

sorry very much a newbie on suspensions

 

What, a follow-up question? Hah, you already exhausted what little I (think that) know

But based on that little bit, I’ll take a stab at an answer and hopefully someone that really knows what they are talking about will jump in. Looking at the FLTA2s, you *could* adjust ride height and corner weights by adjusting spring preload. However, you wouldn’t want to because the purpose of the adjustable height lower bracket is to separate height & weight adjustments from preload. Therefore, I would expect that the proper way to set up these coilovers is to set minimal preload (just enough that the spring is seated at full suspension droop), and to do all ride height and corner weight adjustments with the lower bracket.

I don’t see a reason to preload the springs unless you run out of adjustment on the lower bracket or want to reduce the usable stroke of the damper (I don't know when this would be desirable).

My coilovers (like most I’ve seen) don’t have a separate adjustable lower bracket. Thus the only way to change ride height or corner weights with the units is to vary the relative preload between corners. Once that’s done, each unit should end up with a slightly different usable damper stroke (unlike the FLTA2s).

 

I have the JIC FLT-A2's on my FD and agree with artowar.

You should use the lower collar to adjust the height at each corner and thus to corner balance your car. The top collar is used to preload the springs.

The advantage to the FLT-A2's is that you can preload the spring independently from setting the ride height. By giving the spring a preload it is supposedly faster at reacting to compressions to the spring.

I guess this is one way you can think of it. Lets say you are playing football with your friends. Now lets say that you are just standing there and one of your friends comes up an tackles you while you are standing upright. Sure you can react, but there is a delay. Now if you take the same situation and you lean towards your friend before he tackles you then it is still going to have an impact, but you are prepared for it (preloaded) and perhaps you can resist his force a little bit better.

Maybe that is a bad example, but that is my understanding of the principles behind preload.

At any rate you should use the top collar to adjust the preload on the spring (as reza explained) and the ride height should be adjusted using the lower collar. If you use the top collar to adjust both the preload and the ride height, then you kind of defeat one of the advantages of the JIC FLT-A2's.

- Cody

 

Cody...thanks...I think I get it.

 

why would you let a mechanic **** with your coilovers?

 

???????

Not all mechanics are bad you know. Most mechanics should know how to put on coilovers as long as they are good at suspension work. Not everybody knows how to adjust every different type of coilovers in the world is all. It really is no big deal.

 

They didn't....they are use to the single adjustment coilovers with the only one adjustment.

I didn't ask them to, but out of their own good graces they installed the JIC spacers for me and raised the height a tad so the car wasn't so low.

I REALLY appreciated it! It is not often that people will do extra work to try to get it right...he just didn't know about the other adjustment. Honest mistake, but thanks for your concern.

 

They didn't....they are use to the single adjustment coilovers with the only one adjustment.

I didn't ask them to, but out of their own good graces they installed the JIC spacers for me and raised the height a tad so the car wasn't so low.

I REALLY appreciated it! It is not often that people will do extra work to try to get it right...he just didn't know about the other adjustment. Honest mistake, but thanks for your concern.