Fitting Tein Flex coilovers. Any tips?

[SKYHI]

Hey guys,

I've received my Tein Flex coilovers from 949 and am going to attempt to fit them to my NA8 race car. I've never attempted anything like this before and wondered whether there are any tips that will make it easier to remove the old Bilsteins or install the new ones.

I have also read a few posts on adjusting the height on these units but they seem to have conflicting answers. Do you adjust the ride height by loosening the very bottom ring and then screwing the upper part of the shock down into the lower part before tightening the ring?



If there is anyone in Brissie who has experience or even willing to give me a hand on Saturday for a free lunch and cold drink I'd appreciate it.

Paul.

[Juffa]

Have look here for heaps on info regarding swapping over to the Flex.

http://www.miata.net/garage/garagehandling.html

Yes, you loosen the lower most locking ring and rotate the threaded central portion into green body. This way you lower the car while retaining the suspension travel.

I would be interested to know the ride height (centre of wheel to bottom of wheel arch) once you have these installed and they have settled.

J

[SteveS1]

Hi Paul

From memory the suspension swap was straight forward, right up until the height adjustment stage. Because I used different spring rates to standard (10/6 instead of 7/6) the adjustment levels in the manual did not work for me. I ended up with a ruler measuring the coilover ring lengths for the side of the car with the best height and then adjusting the other side to match.

Actually I believe there was the need to push a lot of weight onto the lower control arms to release the bottom of the shocks, but it was all doable with 1 person (and perhaps a scissor jack).

I would come over and lend a hand, and work through the height issue, but current plans are to head to Yandina saturday morning (same trip as you did). I'll see how I go over the next couple of days.

Cheers
Steve

PS purchased a hardtop via the method you suggested - cheers

[SKYHI]

Have look here for heaps on info regarding swapping over to the Flex.

http://www.miata.net/garage/garagehandling.html

Yes, you loosen the lower most locking ring and rotate the threaded central portion into green body. This way you lower the car while retaining the suspension travel.

I would be interested to know the ride height (centre of wheel to bottom of wheel arch) once you have these installed and they have settled.

J

Thanks Juffa. I plan to adjust the ride height to end up with about 310mm front and 320mm rear, centre of wheel to underside of wheel arch.

Hi Paul

From memory the suspension swap was straight forward, right up until the height adjustment stage. Because I used different spring rates to standard (10/6 instead of 7/6) the adjustment levels in the manual did not work for me. I ended up with a ruler measuring the coilover ring lengths for the side of the car with the best height and then adjusting the other side to match.

Actually I believe there was the need to push a lot of weight onto the lower control arms to release the bottom of the shocks, but it was all doable with 1 person (and perhaps a scissor jack).

I would come over and lend a hand, and work through the height issue, but current plans are to head to Yandina saturday morning (same trip as you did). I'll see how I go over the next couple of days.

Cheers
Steve

PS purchased a hardtop via the method you suggested - cheers

Cheers Steve. I ended up with 9kg fronts and 6kg rears so I'll be interested to see how they go. Emilio was trying very hard to convince me to run 10kg fronts (550lbs) but I just couldn't see those working very well on our bumpier tracks, perhaps they are a lot smoother over there. Glad the hardtop suggestion worked out for you.

Paul.

[SKYHI]

Ok I'm reading so many posts I'm getting myself confused.

Will I need spring compressors to remove the original shocks and springs?

Paul.

[Juffa]

Ok I'm reading so many posts I'm getting myself confused.

Will I need spring compressors to remove the original shocks and springs?

Paul.

I take it the Flex came with the upper mounts supplied(same as the pic in the original post). If so there is no need for a spring compressor as you will be removing the old shock as a whole and the same for fitting the new ones. Just make sure you do not undo the top centre bolt from the shock shaft as this is the only thing that attaches the shock top mount to the shock body and therefore keeps the spring in compression when removing/fitting.

I see you are trying for a rear height of 320mm. I have not been able to get below 330mm on mine. But I don't have the pillow mounts and have less suspension travel available to be. Let us know how you go on that front.

J

[SKYHI]

Thanks Juffa. So at no time will I need to removed the nut on top of the shock shaft as the whole unit comes out as one.

Yes the Flex I have are exactly as per the picture with the pillowball mounts.

Paul.

[Juffa]

Thanks Juffa. So at no time will I need to removed the nut on top of the shock shaft as the whole unit comes out as one.
Paul.

Correct.

If need be I can also provide you with a method of separating the spring/damper without a spring compressor.

J

[SKYHI]

Thanks mate.

I won't need to seperate them as far as I know because I'll just be selling them.

Paul.