23 replies to this topic

[richclem]

Well my shiny new GAZ coilovers arrived today from absolutely-shocks off ebay. Only ordered them Saturday night, so was a bit surprised they came so quick. To replace the standard Bilsteins for just road-driving I thought £425 wasnt bad. Now weather permitting and the bolts I have just ordered turning up I am hoping to fit them this weekend. I know the actual fitting is easy enough, just two bolts, but I wanted check a few things. They may have been covered previously but I couldn't find anything specific. Excuse any dump questions, hopefully it will stop anyone else asking them :-) 1 I assume the bushes that come them have to be greased. Any other preparation required ? 2 How do you set the initial ride height? I have the damper fully out and have screwed down the adjustment nut by hand so that the spring is reasonably tight in place. Does the spring need to be compressed at all before fitting to the car and pacing any weight on the suspension? 3 I assume the nut above the spring adjusting nut is the just locking nut ? 4 If you need to lower the car any further to adjust the ride height do you just screw the nuts back up the screwed collar, towards the damper adjuster? 5 If you carry out any ride height adjustment do you do this with the car jacked up on the side your adjusting and the wheel off? 6 How far does the damper normally travel? At the moment the damper bump stop is about 40mm off the bottom of the damper 7 Actually measuring the ride height. Assume this is done off the chassis to the floor, just behind the front wheel and just in front of the back wheel? 8 And last dumb question, the end with the damper adjuster goes at the top, ie damper and spring towards the bottom? :-) Much appreciation for any answers given and forgive any stupidity Ta

[styles]

I can't advise on ride height as I had mine geo'd straight after fitting. If you want any advice fitting them just PM me. It's quite easy.

[richclem]

Ah I found this guide which helps, but if anyone can answer some of the other Qs.
I think I know the answers already but just want to be sure.
I always worry before doing these things :-)

Edited by richclem, 23 March 2010 - 10:16 PM.

[Retset]

I set my own ride heights using a ruler. It handled no better though till I took it to Hofmann's for a full geo/corner balance. I would suggest you do the same. Try to get the front to about 120mm and the rear to about 130mm. Put front dampers to pretty soft (say 8 out of 40 clicks) and rear a bit harder (say 17 out of 40 clicks). Let it all settle down and then go and get a good geo with plenty of negative camber (think no camber shims). The difference from standard will amaze and delight you

[richclem]

Thanks. Was thinking of a GEO at some point. Anyone have anyone to suggest in the east midlands or not too far away. I assume they can do it while you wait?

[techieboy]

Anyone have anyone to suggest in the east midlands or not too far away.

Steve Guglielmi in Daventry. Worth the drive.

[Seb.F]

Steve Guglielmi in Daventry. Worth the drive.

All of the 10 minutes

[richclem]

Well managed to get the Gaz coil-overs fitted this weekend. Must admit it did take me practically the whole weekend, but then I am slow at these things. Replacing the actual suspension it self was easy enough, but after putting on/off the wheels what seemed like a hundreds times Ive got to the point I dont want to see another wheel nut. Didnt help that I discovered I didnt have a 17mm ring spanner. I know I should have checked but I was positive that I had one. The difference from the OEM suspension is astounding. Its like driving a different car. Ive set it up as close as poss to the settings suggested by Retset. Whereas the car always frightened me as I was never quite sure what it was going to do, its now just so firm, poised, and predictable. I have no way tried to push the car at all as I am still in disbelief at the difference, and am waiting for it to bite me in the but. But so far it hasnt disappointed. If a Geo makes this even better than I will be gobsmacked. The only downer is that I have noticed a slight chirping creeping in as I tested it. Is this just bedding in or did I need to oil/grease something I didnt. I greased the bushes that insert into the damper mountings, but is there angular movement on the bolts in the actual mountings that I need to grease for as well? Also surely there is a better tool for adjusting the ride height than the "thing" they supply. It was certainly worth buying a set of the new bolts as supplied from ebay. Did any one else find that the rear mounting nuts were a mixture of 15 and 16mm? Now I have 17mm all around. Any way thanks for all the advice given and happy driving.

[richclem]

The only thing I noticed driving to work this morning was that I was getting what I can only describe as "after-bounce" on the smaller more gentle bumps, which was making me feel a little sea-sick. I think this is possibly coming from the rear. I assume that this requires more damping possibly on the rear to dial this out? Or is there a certain amount of bedding in? Ta

[Seb.F]

Glad to hear, do you have a link to the bolts you bought? As I will be needing some next week too! Thanks Seb

[Seb.F]

Glad to hear, do you have a link to the bolts you bought? As I will be needing some next week too! Thanks Seb

[richclem]

Glad to hear, do you have a link to the bolts you bought? As I will be needing some next week too!

Thanks

Seb

They appear under ebay as "LOTUS ELISE,EXIGE,vx,coil over shock absorber bolts 8.8", seller is garagebench
See here

Cost £14 with postage and turned up the next day
What coil-overs are you going for?

Edited by richclem, 29 March 2010 - 07:17 AM.

[Seb.F]

Cheers for the link mate! Already got the Gaz at home, but I'm in the Alps at the moment so I'm eagerly awaiting getting home to fit them. Got those bolts on order so they should arrive at some point. Got a heap load of stuff to get done though!

[Whiteboy]

The only thing I noticed driving to work this morning was that I was getting what I can only describe as "after-bounce" on the smaller more gentle bumps, which was making me feel a little sea-sick. I think this is possibly coming from the rear. I assume that this requires more damping possibly on the rear to dial this out? Or is there a certain amount of bedding in?

Ta

I also got this. Keep turning the knob + 1 until it goes.

Steve.

[richclem]

Thanks for that I will give it a go.

[Seb.F]

I'm home now so will try fitting these tomorrow. I'm going to probably go to about 10 clicks on front, and 18 on rear, does that sound right? Then setup the ride heights accordingly. I'm guessing the ride height is measure from the sill next to the wheel to the ground?

[Whiteboy]

Don't lower the car too much until you have a geo, otherwise it will track all over the road. Steve.

[Seb.F]

Cheers, I don't/can't lower it too much any way due to the roads and hills around here, so it won't be going down toooo low. Will have to see how I get on today. Also I have all new bolts for the new kit, but why are 2 of them longer than the rest, is there a specific shock/place they need to go, ie. rear ones at the bottom or something at a wild guess? Also, which way up should I be fitting them? With the adjustable notch at the top, or at the bottom? As I seem to recall someone doing it the other way round...

[techieboy]

Also I have all new bolts for the new kit, but why are 2 of them longer than the rest, is there a specific shock/place they need to go, ie. rear ones at the bottom or something at a wild guess?

Front upper mounts.

[Seb.F]

Cheers Matt! Off out to go attempt it now, shame I can't actually drive it for another 2 or 3 weeks :<