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Hey for you folks with GC coilovers. Couple quick questions.
one, are the spring/strut components shipped pre-assembled? Meaning do you need a spring compressor to put them together.
two, if the answer to the above is yes then do you need a spring compressor at all during the install? I am assuming the the original suspension components could be removed, tossed and new ones installed without the compressor.
three, can the install be done with standard tools, ie wrenches, sockets, torque wrench jack stands etc.
four, assuming I have never done this before, how long would it take to do all four.
five, do the GC's come with instructions for installing on the car?
1. No, you do NOT need a spring compressor to assemble the springs and struts together.
2. You WILL need a compressor to remove the stock spring from the strut. I highly recommend this for safety reasons as the springs are very compressed in the stock form.
3. Common tools are all you should need. The standard home mechanic can complete the install fine. Except for the compressor, which can be rented free from most automative parts stores.
4. Being careful and not getting too excited, it should take you a few hours. Jack up the front, change the two out. Lower the car, jack up the back and change those. Then adjust to the desired ride height.
5. Instructions were fairly complete. I think one part was confusing, but after thinking about it for a bit, it started to make sense.
Feel free to PM or post again if you run into problems. Plenty of people here that will help you out. Have Fun!!
Originally posted by YellowPR5
[2. You WILL need a compressor to remove the stock spring from the strut. I highly recommend this for safety reasons as the springs are very compressed in the stock form.
[/B]
Ok, thanks for the reply, just a little clarification,
I was under the impression that when you remove the suspension assembly it comes out as one peice. Once you have it out you can use the spring compressor to take it apart. So judging from your reply, there are going to be parts that I will need from the old suspension assembly that will be put on to the coilovers?
That is correct. The instructions will explain each of the parts you will need to keep. One thing I can remember is a rubber bushing that you cut to make shorter. You put one piece back into the coilover assembly and (discard/save with stock) the other part you cut off.
Originally posted by YellowPR5 That is correct. The instructions will explain each of the parts you will need to keep. One thing I can remember is a rubber bushing that you cut to make shorter. You put one piece back into the coilover assembly and (discard/save with stock) the other part you cut off.
ok i got my GC coilovers and am thinking about installing them myself. how hard will this job be without a spring compressor? and i have never worked on suspension before so just wondering if anyone else has done this job themselves and how hard it was?
Originally posted by mtbfreak40 ok i got my GC coilovers and am thinking about installing them myself. how hard will this job be without a spring compressor?
It's not a question of hard, it's a question of dangerous. The stock springs are VERY compressed and under a LOT of force. There are ways of taking apart struts w/o a compressor, but they all scare me and can result in serious bodily injury if done wrong.
Autozone and some other parts stores rent compressors for free- you have to leave a deposit, but you get it back when you return it. It is much cheaper than emergency room bills
Also, I've mentioned this on this forum before, but you will need a set of metric Allen keys (or Allen sockets) to get the swaybar endlinks off. I believe they are 6mm, but I can never quite remember. BTW if the "mtb" in your screen name stands for "mountain bike," you are probably OK because most parts of modern bicyles are put together with metric Allen screws, and a standard portable bike wrench includes the right size.
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Chris Walton
99 Protege ES 5-speed - "Skid" 8-)
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