I bought some function and form coilovers off a guy on Craigslist for a very good price. My question is regarding the spring height adjustment so anyone who wants to tell me how bad function and form coilovers maybe can save it because I have read all of the stickies and the only reason I bought them is because they were at an extremely cheap price and I looked at them and they had no leaks and wear in good condition. My question is simply regarding spring height adjustment on coilovers. I will adjust the ride height of the springs according to what I feel is necessary for my car. I however do not know what compression size I should have the spring itself down at. I have them set at 7 inches because I went by feel and it feels as if there's a good amount of compression on the spring there is no slack but they are not overly compressed. I want to install them this weekend and I tried to contact function and form themselves so I would avoid asking anyone on the forum a question that has been asked for repeatedly but they are not open until Monday so I'm hoping to get a valid response so I can install my coilovers this weekend. Thanks

 

Are they spring and body adjustable? I know that they come either way depending on the application (which you didn't bother to mention in your post).

Loosen all control arm bolts so that the suspension can swing freely.

If they are only spring adjustable, set them somewhere in the middle of their adjustment range and install. Adjust until the height is where you want it.

If they are spring and body adjustable, adjust until the springs are just touching both perches. Adjust the bodies to the middle of their ranges and install. Adjust the bodies until the height is where you want it. If you want it slammed and runout of adjustment, then it becomes the same thing as if you don't have body adjustment... You'll have to use the spring to get the rest of it.

Once it's where you want it pull the wheels and, working around the car one corner at a time, jack up the suspension until the car just comes off the jackstand and tighten down the control arm bolts. Put the wheels back on and go for a short drive to make sure everything is good and you're done.

 

They are spring and body adjustable but I don't have them installed yet. I was actually hoping there was a way I could adjust the spring compression and then adjust the body height after I install them. If I back the purchase all the way off until the spring is loose inside of the coilover it is about seven and a half inches of spring. I compressed it to about 7 inches so that it is firmly in place but not squeeze down tight to make my ride super stiff. I'm not going to slam the car to the ground so I want a comfortable ride on my springs. I was just wondering if I should be compressing those further down or have them looser before I install them. The actual height adjustment for the ride is separate and I'm going to have to put them on and just determine where I want the height of the car I think. Does that make any sense? Lol. I don't know a lot about coilover setups but I don't want to pay someone just to install and set them up properly.

 

Ok I'm rereading what you posted and I think I have the springs compressed to tightly. What you're saying is just get them hand tight inside the purchase and then set the adjustable height somewhere in the middle range and install them and adjust the height from there?

 

Spring adjustment was spot on. Thanks for the tip.

 

 

So now that I'm installed, if I want to lower the ride but stiffen it so it doesn't feel bouncy and so the tires don't rub on turns..... do I compress the spring more. I have them set as you stated. Just against both perches, but no pressure on them really. If I compress them will it help reduce bounce?? Or do I simply have no choice but to raise them until there's no bounce or rub?

 

Two separate things.

Increasing the spring preaload will make it stiffer. You need to play with the damping adjustment to control the "bouncy-ness." Note that the damping adjusters don't do a ton on those and that these coilovers are known for having a ton of compression damping, so you may end up with something that is over damped and harsh feeling.

 

Cool. I googled damping adjustment. I'll try it out and see how much it helps.

 

So forgive my ignorance but for what reason, other than to gain a little bit more drop, would someone compress the springs beyond the recommended amount that you suggested to me earlier?

 

Raising or compressing the springs will raise the car. Decompressing and then lowering them down will lower the car.

The body adjustment should get the car very low. Start there.

If you start lowering the springs down, you will start to lose shock travel and the ride will become worse.

 

Started adjustment again this morning. Raised the body one half inch. Added one quarter inch of compression to the spring. However I attempted to adjust dampening on the top with no success. There is a nut on the bolt head but no Allen key or any other type of adjustment on the bolt. They are the function and form type one coilovers. I checked YouTube and Google but only saw dampening adjustment for type 2. So I tightened the top lock nut as far as it would go but I'm pretty sure that it's supposed to be all the way tight no matter what. Adjusting the spring rate a quarter inch definitely stiffen the rear suspension so hopefully now I don't get any rub over bumps or around the corners considering I also raised the body 1/2 inch. If I'm missing the trick to adjusting the dampening I would very much appreciate if someone knew how to do that on the function and form type one coil over.

 

Nope, that's it. You don't have damping adjustment then. Remember the part in my first post where I said you hadn't mentioned your application? Can't read minds here

 

No problem. I appreciate the help. I know so little about it that I wasn't even aware of the dampening adjustment at all. Thanks for the help. It's a little bouncy but it's not rubbing. Next I'm going with an st anti roll bar and some good lca's and new bushings. I'll make the most out of these coilovers and later on down the road I'll probably fork out the jack and buy some really good stuff. Set the price and the condition that I got these I really couldn't just pass up taking the opportunity though. Lol. They're way better than the eBay special that I bought the ride with.

 

What car are you working on?

 

91 Si hatchback

 

Why do you ask? Do you have suggestions?

 

Sure. Pass on the control arms. Find yourself some eg/dc ones with sway bar provisions, replace the bushings and go. Actually, I think the ST kit for this chassis might not even require sway bar lcas, but double check that. Do Hardrace or Sonem everywhere except the big trailing arm bushing, use oem Honda ones there. Lather, rinse, enjoy.

 

I already ordered a progress rear sway bar. Does that change me being able to use oem lca's?

 

Dunno. What does Progress say?

Regardless, I would stick with oem.

 

I haven't received it yet. I'll find out monday. Thanks

 

Looks like the Progress bar attaches at the dampers, therefore no control arms needed.

 

So I'm not sure I follow you. Are you saying that I only need to put new bushings in the current LCA's?

 

Yep

 

Okay this may be a stupid question but if I wanted to put new LCA's for dress up purposes what route would you recommend going? As long as I put good bushings does it matter what brand lca I use?