Pros & Cons of coilovers?????? What did I Miss?

D

david

Member
Location
mississippi
These are not facts just my opinion based on what i have read. Correct me if i am wrong. Please add any to either list as well.

Trying to Justify getting some. I have 138k miles already on the stock suspension. Time to replace some things anyway!

Pros:
Adjustability of Height
Adjustability of harshness or softness
better looking (lowered)
better handling
good warranty $100 replacement after year
Price


CONS:
Price I know this is up for both. way more than springs but i think the package is worth it
tires will need replacing more often ( i believe you cant get them aligned 100% if it is pretty low)
maybe extra stress on a few stock suspension parts


What are the other pros vs cons??
Thanks
 
Install is a breeze (If you are a DIY its easier, if you get them installed it should cost less), lighter than stock Spring/shock/strut set-up.
 
Is install easier than just springs? I think i will not need a spring compressor. I have done some diy things. Me and a friend plan to tackle this at home one saturday afternoon
 
Coilovers
FR = 14.8lbs
FL = 14.8lbs
RR = 10.8lbs
RL = 10.8lbs

Stock stuff with Eibach's (are OEM spings heavier?)
FR 22.8lbs
FL 22.8lbs
RR 17lbs
RL 17lbs

Weight Savings = 28.4lbs...every little bit counts right? =)
 
Last edited:
Another con is that it's not "plug and play" like springs. You spend a lot of time (or pay someone) to take off the wheels and readjust stuff. Once everything is dialed in it's great though.
Don't think my alignment went too bad, however I never got a spec sheet. Lance, do you still have yours to show how it came out? Maybe I can ask my dealer for a printout.
 
I'll agree with you on that one Stu. Adjustability is a great thing but it may take a couple attempts to dial it in as you are most likely looking for max drop and tolerances are going to be tight. With lowering springs it is what it is and you won't encounter those problems as you won't be so low. I'll dig up my last set of alignment specs. I know the fronts are a bit out and the rears are fairly out of spec......
 
I def dont want to have it as low as it can go. lower than just lowering springs though.

Is the adjustability for harshness something you can do with out taking evrything back off

i assume it is harder to adjust the height...is this correct
 
Ride quality adjustment is a simple turn of a knob. Adjusting for height takes a little more time......

Adjustable ride height is like crack. You will find yourself dialing them in to where you Jussstttt don't rub......
 
david said:
How much is involved id raising/lowering?? Jacked up, wheels off, What else after that? (if that is correct)
Click to expand...

Actually I have done lots of adjusting on the FX , the front I have mastered without taking the wheels off (you have to loosen the upper center nut to make it easier) then you can wedge your foot under the tire and turn the strut to adjust - really you should wear steel toes...)

The rear I am afraid is not so easy, remove wheels, and drop the lower control arm outer bolt to unload the spring, then you can adjust and put the control arem bolt back in, it should be noted that since the spring is inboard of the wheel (in the middle of the control arm) moving it a small amount will change the ride height by a lot more - i.e. 1" at the spring is like 2" in ride height.
 
coilvers are in my list.. i have a question.. can one ride with the FX normal high on coilover? is it possible?

cause that would be def a plus for us east coast guys during winter...
 
Installing the coilovers is way easier than the spring/struts/shocks setup. No spring compressor needed. Just a heavy duty impact gun or a long break bar to crack open the the two 22 mm bolts, a torque wrench and a couple of metric sockets (10, 12, 14 & 17) the rest is a breeze. I did the install on AeroBFA ride in about 4 hours. My first coilovers installation.
 
la_fx35 said:
Installing the coilovers is way easier than the spring/struts/shocks setup. No spring compressor needed. Just a heavy duty impact gun or a long break bar to crack open the the two 22 mm bolts, a torque wrench and a couple of metric sockets (10, 12, 14 & 17) the rest is a breeze. I did the install on AeroBFA ride in about 4 hours. My first coilovers installation.
Click to expand...

no problems or complications???
 
david said:
These are not facts just my opinion based on what i have read. Correct me if i am wrong. Please add any to either list as well.

Trying to Justify getting some. I have 138k miles already on the stock suspension. Time to replace some things anyway!

Pros:
Adjustability of Height
Adjustability of harshness or softness
better looking (lowered)
better handling
good warranty $100 replacement after year
Price


CONS:
Price I know this is up for both. way more than springs but i think the package is worth it
tires will need replacing more often ( i believe you cant get them aligned 100% if it is pretty low)
maybe extra stress on a few stock suspension parts


What are the other pros vs cons??
Thanks
Click to expand...

Note you re-use some (very little) of the OEM suspension parts with the coilovers (just the rear). These parts are like $25 on each side so $50 total. If you are over 100k miles, you will definitely want to replace these. Check out the post on the BC Coilover installation and you will see what I mean on the rears.

Springs typically last the life of the car and are not a "serviceable" item in my opinion (unless they snap... :smile (2):). Most likely you'll only have to replace the struts, shocks and any other suspension parts (search for my thread on what suspension parts to replace) that wear out.

I say go for coilovers! No one that has gotten them has been disappointed. They are next on my list of to-do's.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top