Coilover install (step-by-step how to)

[doohopark]

OK this is an install of ksport coilovers on a 97 240sx, all hand tools (for all you garage warriors) most 240sx should about the same enjoy. Total install time if you don’t take a smoke break in between each step 1 hr 30min.

Things you need

You will need a 3/8 ratchet, 3/8 x 3” extension, 3/8x 14mm deep well, ½ x 6” or longer extension, ½ x 19mm socket, 1/2x 17mm wrench or socket, ½ ratchet, ½ breaker bar, dead blow hammer (soft face),small chisel, A “good jack and stands” and the most important tool you will ever get, either a 3/8 or ½(preferred for this install) torque wrench. Some thing to remove wheels. (duh) optional lots of cigs, dr pepper and a Japanese slave to do your dirty work.Loosen all lug nuts at this point LIFT OFF!!!!! The jack should be placed right in the middle of the radiator support (unless you like having miscellaneous bends in your sub frame) remove wheels.



I lifted the front and rear at the same, you don’t have to do it if you do not have the proper equipment, remember always use jack stands when working under the car and to block the non lifting wheel as to prevent the car from moving on you (would suck to get the jack through the bumper or radiator!) The support points are Cleary visible when you look under the car; there are little notches where the jack stands should be placed.

Remove those two bolts, the bigger one is a 19mm and the smaller is a 17mm support one side while spinning the other.Use of an 6" extention on the ratchet makes this whole lot easier. Also support the lower control arm with the jack, to prevent the suspension from falling on you. Use a small tip chisel and remove the brake line from brackets. Simply place the chisel on the lip of the clip and hit it off. Use the dead blow to knock the bolts out.I taped the brake line out of the way; you don’t have to do this but its cheap insurance against line damage.

While supporting the old suspension with a jack hold the strut with one arm take off the strut bolts, they are 14mm.Ok at this point if your project does not look like this, have optional cigarette and slap said Japanese slave.

Loosely bolt your coilovers to the tower with all three bolts; this will be removed so just tight enough to keep them up is fine.

Now use the jack to lift the suspension into place, line up the holes then insert bolts, snug up the nuts. Wiggle shake what ever you do, do not force the bolts in, you might mess up the treads. Also attach any type of brake line adaptor your coilovers came with.

Use a torque wrench and a suitable tool to hold other side and torque to 80 ft-pounds.Remove the strut tower bolts and let the suspension hang, you could leave it bolted in but then you would have to remove the sway bar mounts in order to get the other side off/on, I did it the easy way, but I had two jacks, you might have to remove the sway bar mounts if you do not have access to a second jack. Repeat on other side, and then bolt the towers back on to 45 ft-pounds.

TO THE REAR!!!

Lift here… (See remark about dents in weird places)

Support here (see remarks in above picture)

Don’t forget to do this! (Again with broken stuff)Un-do this bolt on the bottom of the strut, it is a 17mm I used the breaker bar to break it and a ratchet wrench to take off.Support the rear suspension with the jack. Open up the rear deck lid, there are some snap-in type clips, just use your balls and pull, instead of unplugging my speakers I just supported the deck with a screwdriver,

Use a 3/8 with a deep well 12mm on the outside bolt (incase your wondering yes take it off)

Now use a 3 inch extension (I know you know what 3 inch is /nudge/) to undo the inner bolt. Now carefully lower the suspension down and pull the strut assembly off.

Put your coilover in on the bottom busing, torque to 80 ft pounds.Using the jack push it up in place, make sure the tower bolts line up when doing this. Then tighten the tower bolts to 13 ft pounds, or ¼ turn past snug.

Repeat on other side, again the strut tower bolts may be need to left off, if you have a sway bar, or remove sway bar links. put your wheels back on(again duh) torque to proper specs, i useally just go with 80 ft-pounds in a cross pattern. Adjust your coilovers to proper height, setting ECT. Have a cig. and go enjoy your new coilovers.

comments questionsAIM: doohopak
Modified by doohopark at 4:45 AM 5/15/2005

[kouki-gymkhana]

Awesome write-up! Thanks man!

[drifter_for_life06]

great write-up

this is virtually the same for S13's correct?

[Chezedik]

In regards to changing springs and shocks or installing coil overs it is the same. Other suspension components changed from S13 to S14, but it was all in the rear.

[gp_says]

thanx for the write up,I will be doing my in a few days,save me tons of $$$$$$$$$$went to the shop and they want $600 + tax decide to do it myself! again....GREAT write up!

BTW,what knid is your floor jack?LIKE it alot!

[leveloneae86]

awesome dude. did this yesterday, and ran into some issues that id like to share. CHEAP TOOLS SUCK! make sure u guys get heavy duty ratches and a torque wrench. youll thank me later. i broke a cheap ratchet, 2 17 sockets a cheap extension and a cut on my arm. hahaha. after i bought powerbuild tools frm karegn everything went smooth . wd-40 is ur best friend also. oh btw i put on springs/shocks on my 1992 240.
Modified by leveloneae86 at 9:09 AM 12/23/2006

[Geno750]

great write-up

this is virtually the same for S13's correct?

It is exactly the same, took about an hour to do mine but I used an impact gun

The only problem we ran into was one of the cheap sockets I was using exploded when I used it with impact gun, and the fragment smacked me in the forehead. Luckily, the smooth part hit me and not the edge.

[nightkid86]

Nice writeup, good pics.

Although I figured out how to do it fine just by looking at the car, it's pretty basic.

[shawn_240sx]

Nice write up!! one quick question about the Ksport you didnt mention: WHat did you guys do with the four rubber grommets that were included? ARe they put on the brake line adaptors? If you know can you send pics?[email protected]