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Fitting coilovers-how difficult?
Posted: Fri Sep 07, 2012 5:39 pm
by BMCC
So I've got a set of coilovers and was hoping to have a go at fitting these myself. From the 5th gen manual it looks like you have to split a ball joint to get the rears on. Can anyone confirm this? Overall is this a PITA or something someone with reasonable car maintenance skills can do? i.e (basic servicing)
Cheers
BMCC
Posted: Fri Sep 07, 2012 5:42 pm
by Vtecmec
It's reasonably straight forward, 3 bolts on the top and one at the bottom for each corner. there is no need to split any ball joints.
Posted: Fri Sep 07, 2012 6:03 pm
by indigolemon
Yeah, no need to split balljoints. If you need more movement, just unbolt the upper wishbone from inside the boot/bonnet to let it drop more.
Posted: Fri Sep 07, 2012 8:00 pm
by NafemanNathan
It'll help to have your jack free to help offer the lower arms back up when you come to assembling it all back together again as well.
Posted: Fri Sep 07, 2012 8:05 pm
by craig_jdm
im doing mine Saturday then if you want a hand fitting them on Sunday I might head through to Glasgow to pick that rocker cover up off of you
Posted: Fri Sep 07, 2012 9:45 pm
by sc_001
Even if you do have to split a ball joint they always go back together easily...As long as you have a hammer
Posted: Fri Sep 07, 2012 9:59 pm
by A1ex
The ball joints don't need splitting. The rears are harder than the fronts as you have various bits in the way. Make sure you give the bolts a good soak in WD40 before you get started
Posted: Sat Sep 08, 2012 8:19 am
by BMCC
craig_jdm wrote:im doing mine Saturday then if you want a hand fitting them on Sunday I might head through to Glasgow to pick that rocker cover up off of you
Cheers for the offer but Sunday was meant to be raining so I was going to have a go today. No garage so I'll have to suffer the sunny Scottish weather!
Posted: Sat Sep 08, 2012 6:54 pm
by BMCC
Ok took me most of the afternoon and a bit of the morning just to do the front. Complete PITA. Think I took the wrong approach to this as I decided to do it one corner at a time which I think made it harder
(just jack up one side at a time) Fooked the ns anti roll bar drop link trying to get this off to get the lower arm to drop more.
Will be on the train all next week for work till I get the rear coilovers on and the drop link replaced (which I am going to have to cut off as it is FUBAR).
All in all a very poor day.
Anyone any tips for the rears? Should I jack the rear up in one go from the tow hook? Will need to drive to my parents as the drive is sloped if this is the case......
BMCC
Posted: Sat Sep 08, 2012 6:55 pm
by indigolemon
Yeah man, lifting both sides saves you fighting the ARB - sorry man, wish I'd said this earlier now