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View Full Version : advice please. coilovers put together properly?



dc1984
18-09-10, 06:57 PM
i have built my coilovers up but i was wondering....

1. should the helper spring be at the bottom as in my pic, o at the top:confused:

2. do i need to remove the white plastic insert on the top between the metal bits? sorry am not too good with part names:roll:

http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad359/davids2010/my%20nova/camera18-09-10382.jpg

http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad359/davids2010/my%20nova/camera18-09-10381.jpg

the plastic bit seems to make it sit funny.

Angus Closier
18-09-10, 10:27 PM
Fairly sure the smaller spring should be at the top mate, dont quote me on it!

bmxalex
18-09-10, 10:33 PM
mines at the bottom

Damo
19-09-10, 10:36 AM
DC, if you running speedline wheels or anything similar remove the helper spring it saves on using spacers etc so the wheels dont catch.

George g
19-09-10, 11:12 AM
doesn't seem to matter about the helper springs from images on Google...

Benn
19-09-10, 11:33 AM
I'd leave the white plastic ring in. Looks like a spacer, the helper spring i'd remove. And grease the threads, the plate form rings can seize up tight.

dc1984
20-09-10, 05:58 PM
DC, if you running speedline wheels or anything similar remove the helper spring it saves on using spacers etc so the wheels dont catch.

cheers buddy, a will be running speedlines eventuallylol

Stuart
20-09-10, 06:00 PM
helpers go OVER the body at all times imho. When I see them at the rod end I get worried about dislocation etc with any side movement.

Probably over paranoid, but if you can prevent anything from going awry then do it.

but agreed, take them out completely and just silicone grease spray the bodies

dc1984
20-09-10, 06:03 PM
I'd leave the white plastic ring in. Looks like a spacer, the helper spring i'd remove. And grease the threads, the plate form rings can seize up tight.

cheers mate, would a be better with grease or copper grease?

dc1984
20-09-10, 06:04 PM
helpers go OVER the body at all times imho. When I see them at the rod end I get worried about dislocation etc with any side movement.

Probably over paranoid, but if you can prevent anything from going awry then do it.

but agreed, take them out completely and just silicone grease spray the bodies

top man:thumb: , thanks again mate.

Dar
20-09-10, 07:27 PM
If it was me I would keep the helper springs. If you don't have them the main spring is free to move when the car is jacked up. When you put the car back down on the ground the main spring can sit on the side of the collar and once sufficient pressure is on the spring it slips in to place with a horrible clang!

Although I found it happened more on the rear of mine (I dunno why). So I have helper spings on the back but not the front.

dc1984
20-09-10, 07:29 PM
If it was me I would keep the helper springs. If you don't have them the main spring is free to move when the car is jacked up. When you put the car back down on the ground the main spring can sit on the side of the collar and once sufficient pressure is on the spring it slips in to place with a horrible clang!

Although I found it happened more on the rear of mine (I dunno why). So I have helper spings on the back but not the front.

on the back of mine it is a seperate shocker and the springs are on a platform that adjusts how high/low it sits

bmw156
20-09-10, 07:30 PM
yeh keep the helper springs deffo.

and about greasing the threads, grease them really well, then cable tie an old set of tights around the whole damper. it stop **** getting into the grease etc.

a trick the VW guys use.

Dar
20-09-10, 07:33 PM
on the back of mine it is a seperate shocker and the springs are on a platform that adjusts how high/low it sits
Yup thats another setup for the rear, but not a coilover ;)

dc1984
20-09-10, 07:38 PM
yeh keep the helper springs deffo.

and about greasing the threads, grease them really well, then cable tie an old set of tights around the whole damper. it stop **** getting into the grease etc.

a trick the VW guys use.

top tip mate:thumb:

dougie_boi
20-09-10, 08:46 PM
from what i see there set up correct but id also leave them with the bits fitted as they are there for a reason mate imho but up to you fella i didnt have any on mine and there brand new so they will be caked in copper grease once there set up

Stuart
21-09-10, 04:46 PM
yeh keep the helper springs deffo.

and about greasing the threads, grease them really well, then cable tie an old set of tights around the whole damper. it stop **** getting into the grease etc.

a trick the VW guys use.

tbh I see that as just a great way to trap dirt and water on the bodies :(

craig green
21-09-10, 05:10 PM
Same here. You used to get neoprene 'lizard skins' for MTB sus forks. All they did was trap dirt in & keep it all moist for months on end. Ideal for ruining the inards.

Nothing other than frequent preventative maintainance will stop coilovers from seizing, obv copper-slip & such is ideal as a grease.

Stuart
21-09-10, 05:22 PM
Although I've seen copper slip dry out and go rock solid in the threads before :s

Hence I now just hose silicone spray/grease all over the dampers when I fit them for people

kenny_afh
21-09-10, 05:59 PM
if you run without the helpers please PM and i i'll buy them off you.

bmw156
21-09-10, 06:01 PM
i agree stuart about the copper grease going rock solid, i put a golf mk4 on coil overs before for a mate, and made sure i copper greased them proper, he sold the car and the new buyer wanted the car risen, so i had a go.

and i could not cold chisel the adjusters with out eating them selves. so i couldnt do the job. was proper rock solid lol.