Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums Modifications Suspension Coil Over suspension tip

I've noticed a bit of talk about adding coil-overs onto our 'tours and thought I would pass along some info that I gained from the Mustang side of life. I have not tried this mod yet, but can say that I do trust the group of folks that have successfully performed and are using this mod.

Some guys were wondering if there was a way to adjust their spring perch height without jacking the weight off the suspension. This was because these guys wanted to lower their suspension for auto-xing duties at the track and wanted to skip the jacking routine in order to save some time and hassle. Well a member found a solution that allows him to adjust the lower nut while the car is still setting on the ground. He found that if you install a common needle thrust bearing in between the bottom spring perch and the adjustment nut that you can still turn the nut with the car's weight on the suspension. I know that if the car is too low you would never be able to get the spanner wrench in to turn the nut and lock it back down, but in some cases it would work.

You can purchase the needle thrust bearings and their companion washers at MSC Industrial Supply (www.mscdirect.com). The thrust washers were recommended to prevent the bearings from damaging the aluminum components. All you need to do is match up the appropriate sized ID of the bearing with the OD of your coil-over sleeve and you are set. The total cost of 4 bearings and washers (2.5" ID) is around $50, so it is not too expensive. When I finally go with coil-overs on my 'tour I plan on adding them. Later.

sounds well thought out and i would have to agree completely.. i am ordering coilovers tomorro to fit 19's under my fenders-

Sounds like a good idea...that is if you could actually get your hands in ther when th car is on the ground.

Trust me on this one..its tight in there

So in order to adjust the GC Coil Overs you have to jack your car up?

The way it looked in there advertisement(SCC) it was as easy as taking an allen wrench and adjusting.

Sorry haven't done much research on them.

Later

Yup, you need to jack the car up to remove the weight from the suspension. I don't know about Mustangs but on my car there is no way you can get a wrench in there with the car sitting on the ground... unless you go through the wheel??

DARKERIMAGE: Any pics??

That kinda sux! So its main just a space problem, not enough room for the wrench?

Thanks,
Justin

Justin, the GC kit comes with ONE spring perch sitting on the shock's threaded body, locked by an allen key screw. Real coilovers have dual perches that lock together with two spanner wrenches, just like bolts on a threaded rod.

Because of that, the neat little bearing trick wouldn't work. Mind you since there is only one collar on the GC kit you only need to loosen the allen locking screw and then spin the collar. But with the suspension loaded I think the spring would want to turn as well, possibly gouging the inserts at the top of the strut...

Bottom line: I use a jack.

you dont need coil overs for 19s if u do ur homework.....

That's right, as long as you can deal with the jacked up appearance... I find the bigger the wheels, the lower the car needs to be to look "right". The Eibach / H&R stuff doesn't do it any more with these kinda rollers...

well ill try to get some pics......im still rollin the same height that i have been for 2 years now on my old 18s but now the cars on 19's.....look in my sig and ull see the old 18s.....i have intrax's cut 1 1/2 coils up front and 2 coils out back.....i got 19x7s' with a 42mm offset and 225/35/19 inch tires and i donot rub at all.....even with 4 people in the car....did a tad bit of banging on the driver side rear and took out front fender lining but other than that the car jus tucks a whole lot of wheel =) so it can be done without the use of coil overs