Am I just a wuss if I find that it's almost impossible to turn the collar on a GC front coilover for ek civic when the collar is about halfway on the sleeve and the spring rate is 380#? It's slammed the way it is and I'd like to raise it about 1", but I fear that my slight frame just isn't up to it. On the other hand, the rears are a CINCH. Yes, I remembered to loosen the collar locking nut

 

wd-40? that's what did it for me when i had the same problem. just make sure you spray it thoroughly and let it soak for a few mintues. then try again. hth

 

ive had good luck with WD40 as well. Just make sure they are nice and clean. The front is always dirtier than the back.

 

make sure u clean the threads off real good, i used simple grean, then clean them off with a towel or something, then, (for my GC coilovers) theres a allen bolt that i needed to loosed, just loosen this and it should spin very easily.

 

Jack it up , then turn the collar ?

 

Thanks for the tips. I originally thought about using some sort of lube but shied away from it since I thought it would attract gunk. Then I realized that I could lube it adjust it then brake clean it off again.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by omega02379 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Jack it up , then turn the collar ?</TD></TR></TABLE>

Yes...I jacked it up first. Removed the wheel even so I could get my MASSIVE (and I mean pre-gov AHHNOLD MASSIVE) shoulders into it.

 

careful about using brake cleaner. it will rub the paint on the springs and the anodization off. if you fear brake fluid, then you really need to be afraid of brake cleaner....

anyway, heres what i do. use a wrench, the flatter the better. stick it through the spring and rest the end on the top of the shock or the sleeve and just pry up on the closest coil. this reduces the force on the perch, and will allow you to adjust it a bit. then just keep working it like that.


Modified by Tyson at 5:14 PM 11/1/2005

 

Wow, I had no idea brake cleaner was that nasty! Good to know thanks! Another noob thing I have done was peeling a bit of the coating off of the bottom of the springs spinning them against the collar. The collar acted like a cheese grater on the spring bottom
That wrench trick, I'll definitely give that a try.

I've just gotten an alignment done. Will it throw everything off if I adjust the fronts 1" higher now? Note that I don't have adjustable camber in the fronts. Will the toe be affected if I mess with the settings?

 

actually yes, your alignment will get screwed up when you mess with the height.