Help installing coilovers

[eSOLOR]

Hey guys, so pretty much I'm tired of paying shops to do things I should be able to do myself. But with my BRZ being the first car I have modded and me not being the most car savvy person, I don't feel comfortable doing anything on my own. I'm willing to pay one of you for your help, someone that is very knowledgeable working with these cars and can provide all the tools necessary (as I dont have any..). I figure this would be a good opportunity for me to learn something, rather than dropping it off to get the job done haha. If anyone is interested, let me know. I was hoping to get it done this weekend if it doesn't rain. Thanks.

[LXXXV1]

@GrimmSpeed has a really good write up. Should cover most brands.

http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=12864

[darkonion]

Originally Posted by eSOLOR

Hey guys, so pretty much I'm tired of paying shops to do things I should be able to do myself. But with my BRZ being the first car I have modded and me not being the most car savvy person, I don't feel comfortable doing anything on my own. I'm willing to pay one of you for your help, someone that is very knowledgeable working with these cars and can provide all the tools necessary (as I dont have any..). I figure this would be a good opportunity for me to learn something, rather than dropping it off to get the job done haha. If anyone is interested, let me know. I was hoping to get it done this weekend if it doesn't rain. Thanks.

What you need to do is host an install day and bribe people with beer/food.

[eSOLOR]

Originally Posted by F4ith

@GrimmSpeed has a really good write up. Should cover most brands.

http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=12864

I was reading that last night. Looks really straight forward but I still wouldn't feel comfortable.

Originally Posted by darkonion

What you need to do is host an install day and bribe people with beer/food.

I wish I could but I don't have the space around here to host. I've been waiting around for someone to host one but no one in NorCal seems to do them

[darkonion]

Originally Posted by eSOLOR

I was reading that last night. Looks really straight forward but I still wouldn't feel comfortable.



I wish I could but I don't have the space around here to host. I've been waiting around for someone to host one but no one in NorCal seems to do them

Maybe bribe a few people to lend you a hand and take your car to Lifted Inc.

Lifted is one of those DIY places where they provide the lift, the tools, and you provide the labor.

[GotBRZ1691]

If you can get a time a Lifted, where they have all the tools and a lift, I could lend a hand. Im pretty car savvy. Have not done coil overs but would be willing to help to ge the experience. Plus plan on getting some after the winter.

[acx23]

I haven't done it on my FRS but I've done springs and coilovers on a couple of WRXs and on my 944S, so I don't mind helping. But here are my concerns - once the car is lowered, your alignment will get thrown off.

The worst part is the rear caster & camber isn't adjustable (if my memory serves me correctly) without aftermarket rear control arms. Without it, the car is not very drivable. The front caster and toe are adjustable, but you'll need camber bolts for camber adjustment.

Again, if all you need is swapping out the stock suspension to coilovers, it's a pretty easy job.

[kster1]

Originally Posted by acx23

The worst part is the rear caster & camber isn't adjustable (if my memory serves me correctly) without aftermarket rear control arms. Without it, the car is not very drivable. The front caster and toe are adjustable, but you'll need camber bolts for camber adjustment.

Caster is only set on the front wheels and it's not adjustable on these cars from the factory. Basically, only toe can be adjusted; you need rear controls arms with camber adjustment and hopefully the coilovers come with camber plates for the front.

[mkivsoopra]

Originally Posted by acx23

The worst part is the rear caster & camber isn't adjustable (if my memory serves me correctly) without aftermarket rear control arms.

I didn't know we had rear wheel steering....

[eSOLOR]

Thanks guys, if no one has tools I'll look into renting a lift as mentioned. I'm currently lowered on prokit springs and have spc lca as well so swapping in the coil overs is all I have to do. Should be easy enough.

[eSOLOR]

Originally Posted by kster1

Caster is only set on the front wheels and it's not adjustable on these cars from the factory. Basically, only toe can be adjusted; you need rear controls arms with camber adjustment and hopefully the coilovers come with camber plates for the front.

I have rce Tarmac zeros and oem crash bolts to use in the slotted struts. Should give me enough camber in the front.

[acx23]

Originally Posted by mkivsoopra

I didn't know we had rear wheel steering....

You didn't get the Porsche rear steering package?

Are you gonna keep tracking your BRZ next year?

[mkivsoopra]

Originally Posted by acx23

You didn't get the Porsche rear steering package?

Are you gonna keep tracking your BRZ next year?

Lol... Yes, of course!

[LXXXV1]

Originally Posted by eSOLOR

Thanks guys, if no one has tools I'll look into renting a lift as mentioned. I'm currently lowered on prokit springs and have spc lca as well so swapping in the coil overs is all I have to do. Should be easy enough.

What kind of coils did you get? Word of advice if you're attempting this yourself, make sure you know exactly what you're reusing. I was running on ARK springs before got my ST coils installed last week. Mid install I realized I had to reuse my front upper strut mounts and I didn't have a spring compressor to safely remove them. I've heard of zip tying it but I didn't want to risk damaging them since I plan on selling the springs.

As for those shop renting places, make sure you know exactly what you're doing as the longer you take, the more $ you burn. My local rent shop is $25 an hour, lift and all the tools you can think of included. It'll take time to properly lift the car, find/lay out all the required tools, and set up your laptop. This does not include any random issues any DIYer is prone to encounter.