Coilover fitment issues, please help with NB mx5 fitment

[NitroDann]

Long bolt out, remove the shocks.

Wow.

Dann

[hks_kansei]

The long bolt is indeed done up tightly, I think the OEM spec is 100nm or something?

But, it still shouldn't need any fancy tools, I undid mine with a couple of half decent spanners.
I think on one side I put the trolley jack under the spanner and lifted to give a bit more force.

[Willstar]

You shouldn't need a trolley jack...

if you have a mustache!

[Willstar]

And be careful of those spring compressors, especially while wiggling/twisting/forcing the shocks out!

[greenMachine]

And be careful of those spring compressors, especially while wiggling/twisting/forcing the shocks out!

I have just done the shocks on my Suby. Spring compressors scare the cr@p out of me, and I avoid them where possible - you can't on the Suby, so I was very careful with them. Since there are two methods of avoiding these on the MX, I would use one of them just on principle. In fact, I have never even thought about using spring compressors, and seeing Willstar's comment on juggling them out, through that hole in the UCA, no way would I do it that way.

FWIW, I have used the long bolt method on both the race car and the GM four or five times, maybe more, easy peasy.

I think you are doing something wrong if you can't get the long bolt method to work - find someone who has used it (or unbolting the LCA ball joint), and you will be halfway there.

If not be bloody careful with those spring compressors ...

[Kikuchi]

Lol ive removed and reinstalled my coilies several times now and hands down long bolt method is the easiest.
Seems like the op hasnt even read the guides or he wouldnt be using spring compressors at all. And he.d be down by now

[hks_kansei]

I needed compressors on my car while using the long bolt method.

They JUST wouldn't clear the guards with the suspension at full droop (and being pressed down by me foot)

I had to compress them by about 10mm to avoid scratching the guard lip.

[Kikuchi]

I found the same problem but i just had my friend push down with his weight.

[hks_kansei]

Unfortunately I forgot to feed my garage fatty and he got all skinny.

Because of that he was no longer any use so I put him back into the wild.

It was cheaper and easier to kidnap another fat kid (they can't run fast) than to re-feed this one until he got to a usable weight again.




(just to clarify, The above is a joke and I don't ACTUALLY kidnap fat kids to use as garage assistants for when I need some weight on something)

[Kikuchi]

LOL.
Yea my garage hand is sizeable. I nurtured him from young. Much safer that way, lets you know it's personality.

[wiztek]

Once i get shocks/springs/coilovers i plan on installing them myself.
Dont have a torque wrench though.
Is it safe to just do it up 'pretty tight'? Ie, the long bolt, top mount bolts etc?

[Black_Penguin]

Frankly I wouldn't trust something that had been done up "pretty tight", just spend the $100-$200 on a torque wrench and have that piece of mind and have the tool for future use.

[NitroDann]

I do all my bits up 'pretty tight' So does the guy at the alignment shop.

Dann

[hks_kansei]

Frankly I wouldn't trust something that had been done up "pretty tight", just spend the $100-$200 on a torque wrench and have that piece of mind and have the tool for future use.

you can get them at Repco for about $50 (1/2in drive)