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Model specific boards => Golf mk3 => Topic started by: nathanpotato on 16 August 2011, 08:57

Title: Measuring coilover drop
Post by: nathanpotato on 16 August 2011, 08:57
Hi I’m hoping to fit some coilovers to my car later on however I’m not sure where to measure how much I’ve lowered it or where from etc. Also I take it that you can only adjust the coilovers when it’s jacked up with the wheel off? Lastly what’s a good height to sit at I’ve read that 60-40 is a popular choice. I don’t use my car everyday but getting over speed bumps would be nice. My cars a 1.6 cl. Thanks
Title: Re: Measuring coilover drop
Post by: MK4D4VE on 16 August 2011, 09:14
Hi I’m hoping to fit some coilovers to my car later on however I’m not sure where to measure how much I’ve lowered it or where from etc. Also I take it that you can only adjust the coilovers when it’s jacked up with the wheel off? Lastly what’s a good height to sit at I’ve read that 60-40 is a popular choice. I don’t use my car everyday but getting over speed bumps would be nice. My cars a 1.6 cl. Thanks

I measure mine from the bottom of the adjuster to the last thread so they are all lowered the same amount, obviously the fronts and rears will differ from each other though. You will likely have to take the wheel off to adjust the coilover as access is difficult, and lastly if you dont use it everyday lower it as much as looks cool, speedhumps are avoidable!  :cool:
Title: Re: Measuring coilover drop
Post by: nathanpotato on 16 August 2011, 09:27
Hi I’m hoping to fit some coilovers to my car later on however I’m not sure where to measure how much I’ve lowered it or where from etc. Also I take it that you can only adjust the coilovers when it’s jacked up with the wheel off? Lastly what’s a good height to sit at I’ve read that 60-40 is a popular choice. I don’t use my car everyday but getting over speed bumps would be nice. My cars a 1.6 cl. Thanks

I measure mine from the bottom of the adjuster to the last thread so they are all lowered the same amount, obviously the fronts and rears will differ from each other though. You will likely have to take the wheel off to adjust the coilover as access is difficult, and lastly if you dont use it everyday lower it as much as looks cool, speedhumps are avoidable!  :cool:
Thanks for your reply sadly speed humps are at the trainstation and although i dont use my car everyday i need it to get to the station for uni so need to have it just abouve the bumps.
Title: Re: Measuring coilover drop
Post by: Wayne on 16 August 2011, 10:48
Measure from the bottom of the spring plate to a fixed point on the car.
Title: Re: Measuring coilover drop
Post by: nathanpotato on 16 August 2011, 10:49
Measure from the bottom of the spring plate to a fixed point on the car.
cheers ive had these sat around for ages so looking foward to finaly getting them on
Title: Re: Measuring coilover drop
Post by: nathanpotato on 17 August 2011, 14:29
Well I gave it a go yesterday however was unable to undo the bolts on top of the front struts used a massive bar and everything. My problem was that unless there was an Alan key in the middle with something holding it the whole thing would turn and it would not undo. We even ended up twisting the Alan key in the end and it still wouldn’t budge. Any help would be great I was thinking my only option is to take it to the local tire shop and see if they can loosen them for me for a tenner or something. Thanks
Title: Re: Measuring coilover drop
Post by: Jack3559 on 17 August 2011, 16:02
I used a spark plug socket with a set of good molegrips around the top and hammered it onto the nut so it couldn't move, then used a brake pad key with the hollow end of the VW wheel bolt wrench over the handle to keep the alan key hole still.

Real easy in a scissoring manor.

(http://www.diseno-art.com/images_3/brake_pad_key.jpg)

+

(http://www.mytoolstore.com/wilmar/w1127c.jpg)

+

(http://www.stanleyimages.co.uk/CatalogImages//6799_prev.jpg)

=

Slammage.
Title: Re: Measuring coilover drop
Post by: Jack3559 on 17 August 2011, 16:04
That's only because that's all I had available at the time though!

It's much easier to buy a ring spanner and allen key!
Title: Re: Measuring coilover drop
Post by: nathanpotato on 17 August 2011, 16:06
I used a spark plug socket with a set of good molegrips around the top and hammered it onto the nut so it couldn't move, then used a brake pad key with the hollow end of the VW wheel bolt wrench over the handle to keep the alan key hole still.

Real easy in a scissoring manor.

(http://www.diseno-art.com/images_3/brake_pad_key.jpg)

+

(http://www.mytoolstore.com/wilmar/w1127c.jpg)

+

(http://www.stanleyimages.co.uk/CatalogImages//6799_prev.jpg)

=

Slammage.
Hmm I ended up using mole grips on the spark socket to with a alan key in the middle then a massive bar on the Alan key and just ended twisting the alan key we had 3 of us trying at one point too. 
Title: Re: Measuring coilover drop
Post by: Jack3559 on 17 August 2011, 16:14
I'd give it a nice soak in some plus gas and return to it in a day or two then.

If it's that seized then an impact wrench or similar will just sheer the thread.
Title: Re: Measuring coilover drop
Post by: Bellend on 17 August 2011, 17:24
Impact wrench will be fine. Give a local garage a fiver to loosen them.
Title: Re: Measuring coilover drop
Post by: nathanpotato on 17 August 2011, 18:19
Thanks for the replies i will give them a soak over night and if that dosnt help then i will have to find a garage tomorrow cheers
Title: Re: Measuring coilover drop
Post by: Screech16v on 17 August 2011, 18:59
No need for garages, get some mole grips on the shaft between the coil spring then get your bar on the top nut,sorted   :wink:
Title: Re: Measuring coilover drop
Post by: nathanpotato on 18 August 2011, 08:26
No need for garages, get some mole grips on the shaft between the coil spring then get your bar on the top nut,sorted   :wink:
ahh that sounds worth a go so put the mole grips on the shaft lower down sort of behind the wheel? Giving me more room to use the bar on the top yeah? cheers
Title: Re: Measuring coilover drop
Post by: MK4D4VE on 18 August 2011, 08:35
Just use a swan neck ring spanner and allan key that can be connected to a socket, you shouldnt have any problems then or need to use anything else.
Title: Re: Measuring coilover drop
Post by: nathanpotato on 18 August 2011, 11:38
I gave it another go earlier and ended up rounding off one of the alan key bits so then tried the mole grip thing but could not get it tight enough to stop from slipping so the shaft just kept spinning around. I think a garage is my only option now.
Title: Re: Measuring coilover drop
Post by: MK4D4VE on 18 August 2011, 11:55
The only other option then is which someone has already suggested. The allan key part connected to the actual shaft of the suspension so get a set of adjustables and grip them around the piston shaft itself - tight. Get someone to hold them whilst you undo the top nut.

You shouldnt really need to pay a garage.
Title: Re: Measuring coilover drop
Post by: murraymint on 18 August 2011, 17:54
if the mole grips slip on the shaft of the suspension i found that raping some electrical tape round it first helped grip a lot
Title: Re: Measuring coilover drop
Post by: nathanpotato on 18 August 2011, 21:31
Hey thanks for all the help I ended up just paying £5 to get it done but got them fitted now finally. Cheers again