Please Help...QA1 Coilover Install

[RodDawg]

I'm not sure if I'm doing something wrong, have the wrong tools, wrong parts, or all of the above.

I received my Speedtech subframe on Friday, and thought I would start on putting it together this weekend. Everything is going smooth until this morning. I get to the coilover assembly....looks easy enough, put the jam nut, seat, and washer on, anti-seize everyting...easy. Then I go to put the coil on, and it's about two inches too long from being able to put the top seat (spring cap) on. Of course there is no muscling this thing on, so after two sets of spring compressors and completely ruining the finish on the spring, it's on. This doesn't seem right. The directions say "Slide the spring over the body and down onto the spring seat. Slip the spring cap in place...). There is no slipping OR sliding. Now I've ruined one spring, and who knows how the heck I'll ever get it off. Please tell me they sent the wrong spring or something.

The QA1 shock is part# DR3955P.
The spring is QA1# 10-450 and is 10" long.

I need it down to LESS THAN 8" in order to get the spring cap on.




Thanks in advance for any help.
Rod

[79T/Aman]

spring compresor on coil overs????????????!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!........man some times you need to say ...Self there is something wrong here, I don't mean to be a jerk here but if it does not go together the way it should get help, maybe speed tech sent the wrong spring, talk to them instead of making a mess, there is such a thing as 8" coil over springs.

Sorry but this type of thing is becoming all too common jump on the message board instead of calling the supplier.... just my .02

[JRouche]

Ok, I dont know much about coilovers. I always thought that they didnt need a spring compressor. But after alot of reading through QA1s site they might. The shocks have a 7-9 inch spring "sizing". Well all of their 2.5" springs have a minimum of 10" at rest. So, I dont know if in their shock specs when they say 7-9 inches they mean at ride height, I think they do. And all of their springs in 2.5" are 10 inches or more. So yeah, you are gonna have to compress the spring to get the collar on.

Now if it were me I would assemble the coilovers off the car. I have a lil 50 ton press and I would cradle the lower part of the shock in a comfy rubber support and press the spring down with some forks ontop of the spring that clear the top cap. Once the threads are exposed thread on the top cap and its done.

But I think they are the right springs, as far as what QA1 supplies. Ill bet you anything a guy will come on and say oh, just do this and that, simple. Cause they have delt with coilovers before...

On a side note. I removed my "coilovers" from my art morrison four link rear and yeah, you can screw the top cap on cause the spring is lower than the threads. But remember, you are talking about the front end, a much larger spring rate, taller springs. So maybe they all need to be compressed for assembly... One more thing, think about a bearing in there if you plan to adjust them much. So much spring pressure, it will be a bear to turn the adjusting nut without one, and it can dig the housing up. JR

[RodDawg]

Sorry but this type of thing is becoming all too common jump on the message board instead of calling the supplier.... just my .02

What? Okay, thanks for your help buddy. I hardly ever post anything, anywhere, and should have known I would get someone to reply thinking I was stirring up something. I sure as heck am not trying to jump on here and bash anyone, especially Speedtech. They have been great so far. I am working on this today (Sunday), and I'm pretty sure they ARE NOT open today since their hours are 8-5 M-F. Speedtech's instructions say "spring may need to be compressed". I really didn't think this sounded right, but thought I would try it. You sure aren't going to compress this spring by hand (or at least I can't). It made a mess, granted. I couldn't get the spring compressor out, tried using another to get it out, and scratched it up from there. I see alot of knowledgable people on here that have tons of experience helping out people who try doing things themselves all of the time. Sure makes me wanna post some more!!!!!

Thanks!! I will call Roger at Speedtech tomorrow.

[qwik1320]

Sorry but this type of thing is becoming all too common jump on the message board instead of calling the supplier.... just my .02

If Rod's like me this thing would be bugging the hell out of me and it would be nice to know sooner than later... Good luck Rod, post up what you figure out.

[Roadbuster]

The tool I used for my varishocks had two machined plates that allowed you to compress the spring and then put the "hat" on. It had a threaded rod that went on each side. No damage to the spring or the shock. Let me know if want a pic.

Jon

[MrQuick]

I'd say you recieved the wrong shocks.


from the qa1 catalog http://qa1.thomasnet.com/keyword/mot...1001&SchType=2

Results per Page : 25 50 100 200


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Part Number DR3955P
Item Name Single Adjustable Shocks
Mounting Poly
Compressed Length 9 1/2 Inch
Extended Length 12 5/8 Inch
Recommended Ride Height 10 3/4 in - 11 1/4 in.
Spring Length 9 Inch
Suggested List Price $179.95

.




Results 1 - 1 of 1 1

[RodDawg]

The tool I used for my varishocks had two machined plates that allowed you to compress the spring and then put the "hat" on. It had a threaded rod that went on each side. No damage to the spring or the shock. Let me know if want a pic.

Jon

Yes, I would like to see it. I'm curious to see how it works.

Email is [email protected]


Mr. Quick,

I saw that on QA1 website too. It says 7"-9" recommended springs length. The 9" would still require doing something to get it < 8".

Thanks.

[Roadbuster]

Rod,
Here are a couple of quick cell phone pics:







The lower ring with the threaded rods slips over the adjuster on the bottom of the coil over and the top ring with the extra pieces goes over the top of the coil spring. The ears hold the spring from sliding out and the nuts compress the spring. Then you can slide the hat on and it fits inside the top ring. Secure the top hat and back off the nuts. Need to use lots of anti seize or moly lube on the threads.

I bought mine from Mark at www.scandc.com

Jon

[79T/Aman]

Well sorry to ruffle feathers, yes I know it's Sunday, that being said, having to compress a coil over spring 2" is going to pre-load the shock by twice the spring rate!!!! now when the assembly is installed it will not have enough rebound travel, with the car at level rest the shock should be about in the center of it's travel

[RodDawg]

It turns out that I do have the wrong springs. I should have received the 9" (which will still have to be compressed 1 1/4" to get the cap on) for the DR3955P shock. The correct ones will be on their way today.

Jon, thanks for the pictures. I'm gonna try a local shop with a late model spring compressor. If I don't think they can do it without damage, I will call SC&C for one of their tools.

[JRouche]

It turns out that I do have the wrong springs. I should have received the 9" (which will still have to be compressed 1 1/4" to get the cap on) for the DR3955P shock. The correct ones will be on their way today.

Cool, what or where is the part number for that 2.5" spring?? Cause its not on their web page. All their 2.5" springs are 10" (relaxed) springs. JR

[79T/Aman]

what rate is that spring?, how much travel is in the shock?,so your coil over is going to hold up 1.25X the rate of the weight of the car before you get ANY travel in your shock??, I hope those are light springs

[RodDawg]

I don't have the new ones yet, but I'm thinking it's going to be part# 9-450. That would be 9" with 450# rate.

This on the QA1 website - 9-450 9 Inch 2-1/2 Inch 450 lbs./in. $43.95 Powder Coated, Chrome Appearing


As for the shock, it is the same one that Mr.Quick posted the specs above. They have 3 1/8" travel from compressed to extended.

This is the setup that Roger (Speedtech) recommended to use with their subframe. SAME SETUP THAT PROJECT EVADE HAS NOW.


Is something wrong with this setup?

[79T/Aman]

ok now that makes more sense the spring needs to have pre-load in order to not run out of shock travel, so this mean with the shock at about mid travel installed you will have about 1265# installed

[RodDawg]

Problem solved!!!!!!

I got the new 9-450 springs yesterday and was able to install this morning. They did have to be compressed, but only about 1". They had much more room between each coil, so I was able to use my spring compressors with small rubber cushions. Springs on...no scratches.

[sanman]

spring compresor on coil overs????????????!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!........man some times you need to say ...Self there is something wrong here, I don't mean to be a jerk here but if it does not go together the way it should get help, maybe speed tech sent the wrong spring, talk to them instead of making a mess, there is such a thing as 8" coil over springs.

Sorry but this type of thing is becoming all too common jump on the message board instead of calling the supplier.... just my .02

Your two cents is not worth half your response. Did you ever think RodDawg might be new at this and is coming to us for help. If it aggrivates you to give some help them move along. You have done nothing here but whine!

[exwestracer]

Hopefully he's learned a lot in the 3 1/2 YEARS since the last post... I see your point but I think everyone's over it by now.

[snopro]

Qa-1 did the same thing to me, or could have been my fault but either way I got a spring that was 2 inches to long for my shock, just threw the spring on the shelf for a later date and order the right size