4ank

I've had my car lowered for almost 100k miles and this has never come up, but I recently took it to my mechanic and he got on me about the front coilovers.

Basically, when on the lift the springs are completely loose (no tension). My question is: 1) Is this normal or 2) should I adjust the locking spring seats to the point where there is tension on the springs even when on a lift? 3) Other options??

Need an answer quick tho. Thanks guys and gals.

Here you can see there is a gap at the bottom:

richardparker

iTrader: (7)

Not normal at all. You must be hearing noise over hard bumps.

Best way to adjust them is off the car no tension on them.

Then you tighten them where the spring sits tight on the perch adjusters,so tight that you can just barely turn the spring.

(Turn the spring while tightened) but just barely be able to turn it with almost all your strength.
You still want to be able to turn the spring or their will be too much tension and you will make the ride bouncy.

What you have is bad.

you might be able to do it on the car but,I would do it off the car.

4ank

Thanks for the quick reply.

I will likely do it on the car for now, since I need to get it out of the shop. If on the car, any different suggestions to get it right?

Also - will this also impact ride height? Imagine it would, no?

RooEng

It's normal, the springs are shorter and stiffer than stock plus you lower it by moving the spring seat down. Mine are that loose too, when I let the jack down, I have to make sure the top of the spring is seated or it'll make a clunking noise.

If you adjust it until there's tension, it'll raise the car a few inches and throw off the toe. If you have camber kits, you'll need to adjust that too.

richardparker

iTrader: (7)

^ So if your coilovers were off your car your saying your coilovers would look like a sloppy mess of parts till you sat the car down. And you say that's normal ?

funny.

unless these are some weird coilovers. because height is not adjusted by losening the spring on mine.

4ank

This is exactly what I am trying to figure out. I've heard that the Teins are different, so want to make sure.

An easy way to tell would be if anyone has the recommended ride height for the Tein Basics for our cars. On the install guide, they generally have a measurement where you adjust to.

Like this... only this is for a mazda

richardparker

iTrader: (7)

How many pieces are adjustable on these ?
Is there just the two adjusters I see or does the lower leg unscrew too ?

Maybe you need something to fill the gaps or something.
I would not drive with them looking like that if thats how they are so post to be or not. looks dangerous to me.

RooEng

Actually YES. I installed them without a spring compressor. The only way to lower the car with Tein's is to lower the bottom spring perch. The OP has them adjusted as low as they'll go. The lower spring seat, green things with the teeth, are threaded and tightened together to lock them in place.

Lower leg?

You can adjust them on the car, no need to take them off. Just jack it up high enough to get your arms in with the spanners.

What kind are you using and how do you adjust them?

richardparker

iTrader: (7)

I got nex and it has 3adjusters.and the lower tube of the strut is threaded and that where the height comes from like most every other coilovers i've ever seen.

wackjum

The Tein street basis are different from most coilovers. You adjust height with the spring perches.

When I installed mine, I noticed the fronts had no compression either. So I adjusted the perches until there was tension and the car was as high as a 4x4.

I have it about an inch and a half lower than stock now. Not a huge drop. Haven't run into any issues with the coilovers.