Fixing preload (diy)
When I spoke to Pete from BC, this is how he explained adjusting the rear springs and dampers.
1. You have to remove the lower mounting bolt from the dampers so it's disconnected from the rear suspension arm.
2. Assuming the springs are set to desired ride height use a jack and raise the lower suspension arm up 1/4" from this point, this sets the location for where to line up the lower shock mount.
3. Now thread the shock body up or down as needed to line up with the hole. Tighten up the lower lock ring.
Hope this helps.
1. You have to remove the lower mounting bolt from the dampers so it's disconnected from the rear suspension arm.
2. Assuming the springs are set to desired ride height use a jack and raise the lower suspension arm up 1/4" from this point, this sets the location for where to line up the lower shock mount.
3. Now thread the shock body up or down as needed to line up with the hole. Tighten up the lower lock ring.
Hope this helps.
, it was what Pete told me to do for the BC.
Colin - you're making it harder than it needs to be 
Preload is simply adjusting the tension on the spring. Assuming you are not cornerbalancing the car, preload should be set to a minimum, just enough so the spring doesn't droop when the suspension is unloaded. From there, you can use preload to fine tune the suspension based on personal preference, and when you cornerbalance the car
Preload is simply adjusting the tension on the spring. Assuming you are not cornerbalancing the car, preload should be set to a minimum, just enough so the spring doesn't droop when the suspension is unloaded. From there, you can use preload to fine tune the suspension based on personal preference, and when you cornerbalance the car
Colin - you're making it harder than it needs to be
Preload is simply adjusting the tension on the spring. Assuming you are not cornerbalancing the car, preload should be set to a minimum, just enough so the spring doesn't droop when the suspension is unloaded. From there, you can use preload to fine tune the suspension based on personal preference, and when you cornerbalance the car
Preload is simply adjusting the tension on the spring. Assuming you are not cornerbalancing the car, preload should be set to a minimum, just enough so the spring doesn't droop when the suspension is unloaded. From there, you can use preload to fine tune the suspension based on personal preference, and when you cornerbalance the car
All i want is neutral preload all round, not trying to do anything fancy with it regarding corner balance etc.
When I fixed my preload, it was quite simple.
Just raise the car, put a jack underneath the lower link where the spring is, add slight pressure.
Unbolt the shock bolt and nut and remove.
Unscrew the ring on the shock.
Now take the jack, pump it up about 1/4"-1/2" of an inch.
Now thread the shock so it meets with the mounting hole for the bolt.
Tighten everything up and see how the spring is snug. If you can't move it, you're good. If you can't move the spring, but can rotate it a bit, go back and adjust a little bit more.
And repeat for the other side, remembering how much you adjusted.
I just counted the threads on the shock (the ones visible from the bottom) and remembered to take away as needed on the other side of the Z.
Just raise the car, put a jack underneath the lower link where the spring is, add slight pressure.
Unbolt the shock bolt and nut and remove.
Unscrew the ring on the shock.
Now take the jack, pump it up about 1/4"-1/2" of an inch.
Now thread the shock so it meets with the mounting hole for the bolt.
Tighten everything up and see how the spring is snug. If you can't move it, you're good. If you can't move the spring, but can rotate it a bit, go back and adjust a little bit more.
And repeat for the other side, remembering how much you adjusted.
I just counted the threads on the shock (the ones visible from the bottom) and remembered to take away as needed on the other side of the Z.
Ok,so now i'm totally confused lol
I adjusted my coilovers tonight and i could adjust the rear pre-load no problem but i had trouble with the front.
On the front i adjust the ride height with the top 2 rings and the preload by screwing the threaded portion into the body. However no matter what i did the ride height changed.
I adjusted my coilovers tonight and i could adjust the rear pre-load no problem but i had trouble with the front.
On the front i adjust the ride height with the top 2 rings and the preload by screwing the threaded portion into the body. However no matter what i did the ride height changed.
Colin - on the front, the height adjustment is done via the lower bracket that attaches the damper to the car itself. Preload is done via the collars that the spring sits on. On your coilovers, these two things (the body and the spring collars) move independantly of one another
Colin - on the front, the height adjustment is done via the lower bracket that attaches the damper to the car itself. Preload is done via the collars that the spring sits on. On your coilovers, these two things (the body and the spring collars) move independantly of one another
Got it now lol
When the car is in the air and the shock is not mounted on the bottom bolt, do the rear springs need to have preload or should the be loose until you get the shock mounted? Seems like the springs are too short to be able to create any, even when at max height they are loose.
Last edited by jining; Jan 8, 2009 at 11:53 PM.
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