723 replies to this topic

[Hanaldo]

Really? Cos WA Suspensions quoted me $400 installed and aligned... I would have absolutely no idea what I'm doing when it comes to suspension, I can work on the engine fine, never experienced suspension though... But I would rather like to save $400

How do you do it? What tools do you need?

[Char]

if i needed an alignment for everytime i changed my coilovers id be a poor man.
I'll install em for $200

[2LV8ETR]

Really? Cos WA Suspensions quoted me $400 installed and aligned... I would have absolutely no idea what I'm doing when it comes to suspension, I can work on the engine fine, never experienced suspension though... But I would rather like to save $400

How do you do it? What tools do you need?

Have a look at the coilovers. There's 3 nut/bolt combo holding them in. Two on the tower struts and one on the lower pin with the rears, and two on the towers and one bolt for the fronts.

All you need to do is jack up each end one at a time and remove the wheels. Undo the lower pin nut/bolt then pull the coilover off the pin. Then remove the two top nuts on the towers and take that bad boy all the way out. Install the replacement reversing what you did (top first, then lower pin).

Take care to make sure that you connect the lower pin properly on the rears. If you look at it, it'll be slightly conical. The fat end goes in first with the thinner end towards the nut that you do up.

Too fucking easy man.

With my 32 I need a 12mm, a 14mm, and a 17mm. That's it.

Then book in for a wheel alignment only after setting your desired heights and damper.

[Ten Four]

Or say hi to Allen and be prepared.....

[Hanaldo]

Is that how you used to pay James ^

Allen great stuff, thanks for that man. Once my coilovers arrive I'll have a go at installing them and do my brakes at the same time. I take it from Char's comment that it is ok to drive around without getting them aligned? I need an alignment so will definitely get them aligned, but just so that I can drive it from my place to Ozzy Park?

[NA_Goodness]

Dude, if your desperate I'll come give you a hand. I had my front out in 5 mins, surprised myself! Lol
I've lowered/raised/lowered my car so many times and still haven't got an alignment yet, you'll be absolutely fine! I'll get one once my camber arms and tie rod ends go in.

[Nic_A31]

Yeah coilovers are easy mate, I can show you how to do that if you're not confident enough to tackle solo.

[2LV8ETR]

The only thing that really needs to be done with the alignment is the camber. If your car is sitting lower than what you have in there now then the camber will change to negative.
I adjust mine every now and then and have not gone for a wheel alignment afterwards as the negative camber doesn't bother me. It helps a little with handling, though your tyres will wear out on the inside quicker. If you're not fussed about that then stick them in and forgo the alignment.

[Hanaldo]

Thanks for the help guys, Rhys and Nic I'll probs be giving you guys a call

Allen, I'll probably keep my car at much the same height as it is now if I can, I live in the hills and my driveway is specially designed to destroy lowered cars... Maybe lower it a couple mm's but not much.

Anyway, off to drop my car at Kermit's now

[NA_Goodness]

Noooo! Lower it like mine lol
With the camber issue, you'll need some rear camber arms to fix that problem as Skylines don't have factory rear adjustment. You can get some Whiteline ones from WA Suspensions for $350 but they'll foul on your coilovers and you'll need some traction arms as well for $250 taking the total up to $600. Alternatively, you can visit everyones good mate Danny at JPC and get some Kazama arms for $400 that will fit straight away cos they're only one arm not two.
That's what I'm doing for mine, but sadly they're out for 2 weeks

[Hanaldo]

Lol ok Rhys, when you come to help me with my coilovers you can bring your 33 and see how far you make it down my driveway. If you make it all the way down and your exhaust is still attached then I will lower my car like yours

[NA_Goodness]

Haha. Well I scrape every time I leave my driveway, but not as much as I did before.
I'll bring my 3(2)3 out to yours and prove you wrong!

[2LV8ETR]

The other way you can go is way I went.

I got hold of some concentric camber bushes so you can adjust the camber without having to pay so much for aftermarket arms. Less than $100.00.

[Hanaldo]

I'll bring my 3(2)3 out to yours and prove you wrong!

Don't be so confident that the 323 won't scrape...

[NA_Goodness]

I don't mind the arms, easily adjusted. Plus it all adds up to better handling. Can't wait! Then I gotta roll the guards and throw on some 8s with a nice stretch
Good times ahead

[Hanaldo]

8's? Small... Even my crappy wheels are 9.5's

[Hanaldo]

Car is fucking loud now that's for sure. Will probs have to get a resonator put in, I don't like not being able to hear the turbo anymore. A shame my old exhaust was so small because it was probably the perfect volume that I liked

Devo

[2LV8ETR]

Depending on the muffler you use, you can place a silencer in it.

[Hanaldo]

Yeh I can put a silencer in it. But silencers are just a restriction, don't want to boost it with the silencer in place.

[2LV8ETR]

Hmmmmm....