Topic: Installing BC Racing Coilovers - which is the front shock?

[DragonSolGXP]

OK... I got the shocks, and now I plan on installing them. I'm hoping to get some pointers from a couple of people that already installed them?

First off,

1 - which set of shocks are for the front?
2 - should I adjust the height on the car, or can I bring the height on the new shock to "stock" height, then decrease the height from there (off the car) say 1 inch.
3 - And I'm sorry for this question, I DID read the instructions that came with the shocks but they were so badly written I really couldn't make heads or tails of it.... but HOW do I adjust the height? I have a vague idea, but not crystal clear.

Once I get these questions sorted out I should be fine. I have the old "pickle fork" ready and should be fine otherwise.

Thanks

[Ben L]

(1)  The ones with the "pillowball" upper mounts (spherical bearing) are the fronts; the ones with the rubber bushing mounts are the rears.

(2)  Yes, you can pre-adjust the setting off the car, but one inch on the shock does not translate to one inch of ride height.  So go easy.

(3)  With the car on a lift, off the suspension, loosen the locking ring (the lower one of two that are cinched together, NOT the very bottom one which is for corner weighting), and move the upper (spring perch) ring on the shock body in the desired direction. Set the car on the suspension, and measure clearance.  Use a steel rule and COUNT THREADS, so you can replicate on the opposite side.  Front and rear may be different.  We dialed a little "rake" in mine, so the rear was slightly higher.

Here's the install thread with photos. 

http://kappaperformance.com/forum/index.php?topic=1638.msg19659#msg19659

[DragonSolGXP]

Hi Ben,
Thanks hoped you'd answer. So from your pictures the one with the screws on top of the back ring where the dial sits is the front? Sorry, not sure what "pillowball" mounts are.

Thanks

[Ben L]

Did not copy your "screws on top of the back ring" transmission.  

Its real easy -- the ones with the "solid" metal bearings inside the top mounting plate are the fronts.  The ones with the rubber bushings (you can see the black rubber bushings poking up) are the rears.  

There is a noticeable difference!



As I recall, both front and rear had black retainer plates with button head fasteners, but I could be wrong.  They've been installed and working for a living for a while. . . .

These are not BCs for our cars, but the picture illustrates the difference between pillowball vs. rubber mounts.

Kapische?

[shabby]

I believe the longer ones go up front, once you get the front and rear ones out you'll know.

[DragonSolGXP]

OK. I see what you mean now. Thanks Guys. BTW... got my Westers tune installed tonight. WOW!

[DragonSolGXP]

OK. I took a closer look. Your are both right. The front has the pillowball mounts as described, the rear has the rubber mounts. And the front ARE longer. But the dead give away is the front has a labal marked "F" and the back ones have a label marked "B" 

[Critterman]

don't you just hate it when you miss the obvious?

[rcola]

Also Dragonsol,

If you didnt already see from the other posts, you also will have to cut a hole in the trunk liner, for the firmness adjustments, I used a circular bit that you use to cut holes for door handles in wood doors and it works great perfect size.

Also, i have found that you can turn the wheel all the way to one side, on the front, and jack it up a little bit you can adjust the height with out taking off the tire. Same for the rear, but not turning the wheel   

  Hope that helps,

RCola