just installed coilovers, now my s13 sits alot higher!!! HELP!!!

[emofied]

I just bought coilovers and installed them on my '93 240sx (generic $100 ebay type) and I bought new struts as well (top of the line gabriels from autozone). I had to modify the struts to fit the threaded sleave over the tube, and I also cut down the spring perch to set the sleave as low as possible and also to be able to reach and adjust them with the wrenches. I got everything in and dropped down the car, and it looks like a ****in' four wheel drive truck!!! There's about a 5 inch gap between the wheels and fenders, and I moved the "adjusters" as high and low as they would go but it barely made a difference. Funny thing is, the car rides great! Please advise!!Thanks

[quiksilvia]

"generic $100 ebay type"

there in lies ur problem or something u forgot and they need to settle, but 5 inches?

[Dori Dori]

I'm guessing you mounted them 'on' the old spring perches. If these are anything like my Ground Controls, you had to completely cut off the perches at the welds so the inside of the new perch sits on the weld, not the perch. So the new perch actually slides over the old one. Get it?

Post pics, please (not of the car, of the suspension).

[emofied]

I know they're generic, but I assumed that would mean the ride quality or build quality would possibly be compromised, but these should operate similar to a ground control brand or any other that's this style I would think.

As far as the perch, I'm only about 3/4 inch above the perch weld, so I didn't think that would make much difference, but I'll try to attach an imagestation link.THANKS!!!http://www.imagestation.com/album/?id=4286776707

[rousie13]

Hey having a car that looks like it could go off roading is fun. lol Holy wheel gap.

[emofied]

I know, I know. I've laughed at myself and came up with plenty of jokes. I thought I'd put together a how to on an s13 lift kit! Maybe I'll paint it orange and white and put a confederate flag on the top. YEEEEE HAAAAAW!

[j-z]

take some pics on the dirt mounds when you get a chance

[marshun]

just leave in the springs. :P

[marshun]

uhh. nevermind. i see that the bottom of the strut is gone. :P

[bokinsmowls]

what do really think ur getting for 100 bucks?????:bash

why not just cut em, they're only $100 springs

[emofied]

Ok, can someone please explain to me why this has happened? I know they were inexpensive, but that doesn't mean it should raise my car. I think I've done something wrong, can anyone tell if somethings messed up by looking at the pics? Anyone out there ever experienced this?Thanks

[Dori Dori]

Well, where do the instructions say the perch is supposed to sit? Like I said, my ground controls slip over the welds, so essentially, your perch is about 1.5 - 1.75" higher than mine...maybe more. That would explain it. Where you supposed to bend the old perches up like that? That doesn't look safe at all.

On a second look, I think that's definately your problem. There is no way those perches are supposed to sit that high.

[Dori Dori]

Scan or take a pic of the instructions if you can.

[rousie13]

You still have the 4X4 look going on??

[emofied]

yeah, just gettin ready to submit the pic to off road magazine. Seriously, I haven't messed with it. I suppose I could cut away the rest of the perch and let the bottom of the threaded sleeve and rest it on the perch weld, but it doesn't seem like that would make much difference. Worth a try, though. I guess I was just hoping that with this post someone would reply saying "same thing happened to me and all I had to do was....". Can I remove the upper spring cap that sits on top of the factory springs? The coilovers do have a cap on the top.?

[Dori Dori]

Bottom line, they are installed wrong. Scan or take a pick of the instructions and I can try to help. Without it, I can do nothing but speculate. As for the stock upper mount, on the GC's they don't get installed...just the new one that came on the kit and a little spacer washer/sleeve (IIRC).

[marshun]

he's not even reading all the replies. dori dori is tryin to help ya

[emofied]

Relax, I've read every reply, and I appreciate the assistance. I know Dori Dori's trying to help, I just missed replying to his last response. Sorry....Anyway, I removed everything today and cut off the rest of the perch, now there's just the weld. I also removed the upper mount since it didn't seem like it needed it. The car dropped about 2.5 inches after doing that, so it definately helped. I drove it and it feels really good on the road, totally different from stock. I thought the wheel well gap would be totally eliminated, but I've since searched and found pics of other 240s with coilovers and it looks about the same. BTW, I guess Megan Coilovers don't come with instructions! I had to figure it out on my own (and with you guys' help!).Thanks again

[black_s13]

thats what you get for buying spring/sleeves.

[Dattebayo]

im sure you could post to underground. they seem to know megan racing stuff.

[fuzion]

I thought coil overs were adjustable..

[emofied]

As far as posting to underground, I'm not sure what that is. Thank you for your input, though.Yes, these are adjustable, I have them adjusted all the way down.

[Ender-DI]

I was wondering if the front and rear springs are the same height... Could the fronts be on the rear and vice versa?

[emofied]

Ender-DI, Good question. The springs I believe are the same, but the sleeves are longer for the rears. From what I've seen I have them correct. BTW, I see you havean ae86, you ever on club4ag?

[Ender-DI]

I replaced the springs (not coilovers tho) in my 240 and remember that the rears were a lot longer than the fronts... that's what made me wonder about your coilovers.

Yeah, I'm on Club4AG all the time. Same screen name. Now that you mention it... I remember you! =) Sounds like you've been doing a lot of work to the AE86 lately...

[SilviaS14KA24DE]

Sorry I'm of no help, but I thought the subject was funny!

[Dori Dori]

thats what you get for buying spring/sleeves.

There's nothing wrong w/ sleeves.

As for the spring length questions; depending on the spring rates, the heights of the springs themselves can be different. I know w/ the spring rates I've chosed, the fronts are shorter w/ thicker coils than the rears.

emofied, glad you're all set now.

[caliracer240]

well that sucks... hope you figure it out soon before the 240 isnt the car type but the wheel gap.

[black_s13]

i meant $100 Ebay spring/sleeves, nothing wrong with GC's or a few others.

[Dattebayo]

-emofied-

Underground is one of our sponsers of the left side of the screen^ |<----------

They are always pushing megan racing stuff so i figure they can help ya.