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View Full Version : Coilvers just fitted, advice needed!


Steevo
17-07-2012, 21:59
At the risk of making myself look a complete tool, I think I may have done something fundamentally wrong when fitting my coilovers tonight.....
Bear in mind that i'm relatively new to all this DIY thing :scared:

Everything mated up ok, and i'm pretty sure I put all the top end components back on in order, but when I lowered the car back down the inner of the tyre is almost, if not actually touching the coilover, and each wheel appears to have an odd camber with the tyres ever so slightly facing opposite directions:sad2:

When I roll the car backwards and forwards there doesn't appear to be any obvious rubbing, but it seems a bit close for comfort.

Here are some photos that might help.............. (excuse the mountain of copper grease)


http://i1092.photobucket.com/albums/i404/MrCanonfire/Snapbucket/3020A6C8.jpg

http://i1092.photobucket.com/albums/i404/MrCanonfire/Snapbucket/59B98527.jpg

http://i1092.photobucket.com/albums/i404/MrCanonfire/Snapbucket/9195F44E.jpg

http://i1092.photobucket.com/albums/i404/MrCanonfire/Snapbucket/C078844F.jpg

Also, it is pretty low at the moment as i just guesstimated the drop, so maybe this has caused the problem?
http://i1092.photobucket.com/albums/i404/MrCanonfire/Snapbucket/E30D9CAF.jpg
Matt@CodeRedMotorsports
17-07-2012, 22:29
Got the struts on properly i.e. left and right?
I thought the top of the strut pointed more toward the windscreen...:scratch: could be wrong, its been a long time since i had a standard phase 2 top mount to look at.
Also what offset are the wheels?
Steevo
17-07-2012, 22:34
Got the struts on properly i.e. left and right?
I thought the top of the strut pointed more toward the windscreen...:scratch: could be wrong, its been a long time since i had a standard phase 2 top mount to look at.
Also what offset are the wheels?

I'm not sure if there are on right side, when I measured them up against each other they appeared to be identical. Wheels are Clio Williams with 195/45/15s
GTphil
17-07-2012, 22:42
I have to use 5mm spacers to get my Willy wheels to fit with my avo coilovers, otherwise they are just like the ones pictured. As in very little clearance from the tyre.

Also are your top mounts on the correct side? And has the tracking been done properly?
GTphil
17-07-2012, 22:47
http://www.rtoc.org/boards/showthread.php?t=25643&highlight=top+mount+gold
Steevo
17-07-2012, 22:51
http://www.rtoc.org/boards/showthread.php?t=25643&highlight=top+mount+gold

Bugger, they're both painted! Where would be the best place to buy spacers and would I need longer bolts? Thanks
Ashy
17-07-2012, 22:52
My old Avo's ran far too close to comfort, on my old car, never had any rubbing issues though.
Brigsy
17-07-2012, 22:53
My avo's used to be stupidly close to the tyre with 15's on, camber bolts or spacers needed
Steevo
17-07-2012, 22:55
What would be the implications of having the gold and black sides the wrong way round? As when I compared them they looked identical:confused:
Matt@CodeRedMotorsports
17-07-2012, 23:00
What would be the implications of having the gold and black sides the wrong way round? As when I compared them they looked identical:confused:

Wrong caster angle.
Steevo
17-07-2012, 23:06
Wrong caster angle.

I'll see if I can scratch the top layer of paint off and determine what's what but I guess that might be difficult as the black side is presumably a gold colour underneath too?

Ill also get some 5mm spacers and hope that helps.

Appreciate all the replies, thanks
Steevo
17-07-2012, 23:15
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Tony Walker
17-07-2012, 23:20
top mount wont affect the clearance between wheel and strut. the angle the strut comes from the hub(camber adjustment at the two bolts on the bottom of the strut) and the offset of the wheel are the only things that will move the strut closer or further away.
Steevo
17-07-2012, 23:26
top mount wont affect the clearance between wheel and strut. the angle the strut comes from the hub(camber adjustment at the two bolts on the bottom of the strut) and the offset of the wheel are the only things that will move the strut closer or further away.

Thanks Tony, so regardless of the potential LH RH top mount issue You'd recommend 5mm spacers? Also would the odd angle of the wheels (ie them both slightly angled away from each other) be caused by the top mounts?
Tony Walker
17-07-2012, 23:43
in what way angled away, top angled away? front angled away?
Tony Walker
17-07-2012, 23:44
Also spacers will prob be needed(my coilovers were the same and i fitted spacers) wheel bolts werent long enough for me tho, 3 just torqued up and 1 bolt wouldnt.
Steevo
17-07-2012, 23:53
in what way angled away, top angled away? front angled away?

Both front wheels appear to be facing opposite directions, like Charlie Chaplains feet :laugh:

Albeit only slighty......

Yeah I was thinking I might need longer bolts, is that an eBay job?
Matt@CodeRedMotorsports
18-07-2012, 00:21
You mean 'toe out'. A tiny bit is ok, best to get it re aligned, and get the camber checked/equalised first!!
philg
18-07-2012, 08:34
I think the strut tops should be facing toward the screen to, they look wrong.

Like everyone has said, coilovers sit close to the rim, i use a 5mm spacer to.

You could buy shorter springs, just a pain when dropping the car down of the axel stands.

I have 6" springs in and spring helpers and the bottom collar sits just above the tyres with both 15 and 16 alloys.
Coops
18-07-2012, 09:35
I use spacers too on the clio for both sets of coilies I've had, FK and leda as the FK's did rub, ruined a set of front tyres before I noticed, and the ledas are darn close too