Evan Purple240zt Posted September 17, 2000 Share Posted September 17, 2000 Hey guys, just wanted some advice on installing my coilovers. Im going to do it over thanksgiving. I am going to run 17x8 rims with my coilovers. I run custom adapters so i can get whatever thickness i need. The question is where i need to weld the perch on. I have the instructions but are they going to work okay for me? I dont remember what freelength the springs are, all the parts are at home unfortunately.. I just wanted to know if i can follow the instructions as to where to weld on the collars. Thanks guys, if you need more info ill call home and get it. Evan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pparaska Posted September 18, 2000 Share Posted September 18, 2000 I had and still have the same question. What I did was temporarily install some exhaust tubing (1-3/4" ?) over the strut housings tha was just larger than the strut tube. At the top, I put a bunch of lengthwise slits about 2 inches long, 1/4" apart, and bent the "fingers" in against the tube. Then I slid the collar down over the fingers, so that they would fit under that lip that the weld ring goes into (on Carerra threaded tubes anyway.) I did this so that the threaded tubes are at the top of the strut. I sectioned the front and rear struts 1.5". I'm running 10" springs (225 lb/in) in front, 8 inch springs (long story) (300 lb/in) in the rear. In the front, the tubing is short and rests on the brake hose bracket. I won't drive with this setup as I'm afraid that would shear the spot weld that holds that on. In the rear the tube runs all the way down to the casting that the strut tube goes into. I'll get the car fully assembled, put some weight (210) in the driver's seat to play "me", and adjust the ride height. Then I'll note where the spring collar is and figure out where I want my range of adjustment from there and find out where the threaded tube should be, take the muffler pipe out, weld the little C shaped sheet steel retainer where it needs to be and reassemble. That's my plan. The car need body parts, interior and glass before I can do this though. Sorry for the complicated answer, but I don't trust people on things like this when there are so many variables involved. ------------------ Pete Paraska - 73 540Z - Marathon Z Project - pparaska@home.com">pparaska@home.com - Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Evan Purple240zt Posted September 18, 2000 Author Share Posted September 18, 2000 Pete, thanks for the help. The reason i asked is because i saw you had done that in the archives. I was under the mistaken assumption that that was your permanent fix LOL. I may do the same thing that you did. I dont plan on shortening strut tubes, i just want everything to work as advertized i guess. I think your idea is good, i may do just that to test out the hieght etc... my car has no motor in it right now but i think your "testing" is a good idea, regardless of the fact that there is an extra step involved. If anyone cares, my car is a 240 that is undergoing a zxt transplant. The motors taking for friggin ever, hope its worth the time and money! Thanks- Evan PS... anyone else have any thoughts or ideas? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeromio Posted September 20, 2000 Share Posted September 20, 2000 The instructions specify where to weld the "ring" on the strut tube. I used that measurement (5 inches up from the bottom of the tube maybe? There's pics at http://240z.jeromio.com ) and then I adjusted the collar to the middle of the threaded tube. That got my height pretty much exactly where it was before, with the old springs (probably about 1-1½ inches lower than stock). I think my springs are 10inch. I know they are 150lb Eibach's (red, if that means anything). So, theoretically, I could have welded that support about an inch or two lower than I did. I mean, I have 4 whole inches that I can raise the car as it is - and I don't really plan on going off road with it. Although, I don't think it would be too driveable if I lowered it 4 more inches either.... [This message has been edited by jeromio (edited September 20, 2000).] [This message has been edited by jeromio (edited September 20, 2000).] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
randy 77zt Posted September 22, 2000 Share Posted September 22, 2000 i have gc springs & coil overs on my car.i just cut the old perch off with a big right angle grinder and welded the ring on where the instructions said to .it works fine.test slide the threaded tube and the weld ring on to make sure the housing is ground down enough before welding.used a mig . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.