How to: Install Coilovers

[slide240wayz]

Hey everyone,I just thought I would post up something for those that want to install coilovers in there car, specifically the s14 model.

Stock Suspension:



What to do:Removal:Remove the stock bolts first at the hubthen remove the bolts up topRepeat process for other side.Remember both sides off before c/o's. NOT ONE AT A TIME.

19mm for the nut17mm for the boltLiquid wrench and a breaker bar will help.



14mm for the camber plate bolts



The Install:

Attach the camber plates section first:



I did not tighten them all the way just for a adjustability purposes for the bottom bolts. (Temporary)

When you need to jack up the control arm:



Control arm jacked:



Better:



Caution:

When installing your front coilovers, do not leave one side with the stock one and the other with with the coilover completely bolted. For some reason, the control arm on the other side (stock) was putting pressure up and was not letting the stock one come down far enough for the bolts to come out, the strut was pinned to the hub. I took the bolts out of the c/o side and the stock came right out after that.

*Note- the reason for this is beacause the sway bar was still on. I suggest doing both at the same time to save you time in the removal of the sway bar.

Installation:Bolt up top platesJack up control armplace bolts through hubtorque everything down (specs at bottom)tighten with spanner wrenchesrepeat for other side

ANOTHER CAUTION!!! DO NOT TIGHTEN THIS BOLTI thought I read somewhere that you had to tighten this bolt down in order for the dampening adjuster to work. No need to tighten it. I am not sure if all coilovers have the same dampening adjustment method.



IT WILL BREAK:



The rear is alot easier. Make sure the top bolts are in first and then jack up the rear arms (name???) Someone to help you would be great.

My mother bolting up the top bolts in the rear:



What a trooper!

The rear also needs raising.17mm bolt for the bottom:100ft/pounds torque



Plate bolts for the rear:16-19ft/pounds torque

Aftermath:

Remember to tighten all the parts necessary with the spanner wrenches before you put the tire on.

Torque specs (ft/pounds)Front camber plates= 45front bolts= 130Rear bolt= 100Rear plates= 16-19

DampeningI highly suggest getting them away from hard as quick as possible. You know those lines in a cross walk, well on full stiff, I felt the car go up and then down. I think it just sucks on roads. I put them all at 20 and they ride alot more comfortable for the road. For drifting, well, no answer yet. I am going to break them in for about 1000 miles before any hard driving.

For any further questions:email- cdoria (at) comcast.net

Patience, you can do it!

I am in no way responsible for anything you do to your car.

Wishing you all the best,Carlos Doria

[crzycav86]

Good job. It's nice to see members making DIY's for other members...

What coilovers are those?

Also, that big nut on the camber plate does need to be tightened, unless you want your front suspension to go *clunk clunk*. Don't ask how I know...

Edit.. after taking a closer look at the pic... were you refering to that gold-colored nut above the silver-colored nut? I was talking about the silver-colored nut...

[slide240wayz]

They are the Megan Racing coilovers.

[GhostDriver]

Nice...they look great. I was thinking about getting those, but I'd only be paying for adjustability that I wouldn't be using. What are you going to do about the broken nob?

[574-240sx]

Nice write up. I may be temped to buy Megan coils if the Silk Roads don't come off of back order soon.

[slide240wayz]

Yea man,They feel great, but all coilovers feel "great." Its a huge upgrade from stock. I went from Nismo's to stock to MR's. As for the knob, it should just stay where it is, unless Chris from UMsports talks to MR and gets me a replacement piece. Not that big of a deal for me as long as the dampening doesnt change. It also prevents others from doing the same thing. I was considering Silkroads or KTS but for the price of these and their adjustability I just had to get them.

Wishing you all the bes,Carlos Doria

[sXi]

Hey. slide.. did you put your srut mount seals(or sometimes called gaskets) back on? Mines were pretty f*ked up when I took them off. but I am planning to get news from nissan.

or, ... does it even matter without them?