How to Install Coilovers (Step-by-Step Guide)

Installing coilovers is a popular way to upgrade your vehicle’s suspension, improve handling, and achieve that perfect stance. At Coilovers, we specialize in high-quality aftermarket coilover kits for nearly every make and model, ensuring that you have the best experience possible when performing this upgrade. In this step-by-step guide, we will walk you through everything you need to know, from gathering the right tools to completing the installation correctly. The whole process of coilover installation is covered in this guide, including all the essential steps and adjustments you need to know. So, let’s immerse and help you enhance your vehicle’s performance.

Essential Tools and Materials for Installation

Before you begin, it’s essential to gather the necessary tools and materials. Here’s a list of what you’ll need:

• Car jack and jack stands: To safely lift your vehicle.

• Automotive lift (optional): Provides better access and stability.

• Wrenches: You’ll need a 12mm and 14mm wrench, along with a torque wrench for tightening bolts.

• Adjustment wrenches: These will help in setting the coilovers correctly.

Most coilover installations don’t require expensive specialized equipment. A standard toolkit will typically suffice, making this a manageable project for most DIY enthusiasts.

Plan for the installation to take about an hour per corner for most vehicles, so you can schedule your time efficiently.

Understanding Coilovers and Their Benefits

Coilovers are a combination of a coil spring and a shock absorber in a single unit. This integration offers several advantages:

• Independent height and preload adjustments: This feature allows you to customize the ride height and the spring compression for optimal performance and comfort. Most coilovers feature an adjustable spring perch, allowing for precise ride height and handling adjustments.

• Improved handling: Coilovers typically provide better responsiveness and stability compared to stock suspension. The main spring's spring rate determines how the suspension responds to load, and most coilovers use a linear rate main spring for predictable performance.

• Versatility: Whether you’re looking to lower your daily driver or prepare your car for track use, coilovers can be adjusted to fit your needs perfectly. Soft springs may require additional preload or helper springs to maintain proper ride height and travel.

In short, investing in coilovers can significantly enhance your vehicle’s performance and appearance. Honda enthusiasts, in particular, often turn to coilover upgrades to achieve improved handling, a lower stance, and greater suspension control. In racing applications, cars commonly use coilovers with the shortest possible shock length to maximize suspension travel and overall performance, making them a popular choice for both track-focused builds and performance-driven Honda setups.

Pre-Installation Preparation

Preparation is key to a successful installation. Before getting started, you’ll want to:

• Clear the work area: Make sure you have plenty of space to work. Clear any debris and ensure you have good lighting.

• Gather your tools: Collect all the tools and materials outlined in the previous section.

• Remove any obstacles: Look for heat shields, brackets, or other components that may block access to strut bolts. Removing these will save you time during the actual installation.

Remember to prepare both sides of the vehicle, as you will need to repeat the installation process on the other side to ensure proper fitment and ride height consistency.

• Inspect your coilovers: Make sure all components are included and undamaged, particularly if they were shipped, ensuring everything is in good condition before beginning.

If you’re a visual learner, watching a video tutorial on how to install coilovers can help clarify each step of the process.

Step-By-Step Installation Process

Now that you’re prepared, it’s time to jump into the installation. Here’s a detailed step-by-step process:

1. Remove the old suspension: Start by disconnecting the sway bar and removing the upper strut tower nuts (usually 12mm-14mm) followed by the lower mounting bolts. Repeat this process for each corner of the vehicle to ensure all coilovers are installed correctly.

2. Set preload: With the coilover laid out, adjust the bottom spring seat collar snug against the spring and compress until there’s a 4mm gap between the locking collar and spring seat.

3. Install coilover top hat: Insert the new coilover into the strut tower using the supplied 12mm nuts to secure it in place. When installing rear coilovers, note that the rear suspension assembly may require different tools or techniques, so follow any specific tips for the rear setup.

4. Install lower mounts: For the lower mounts, insert the camber and alignment bolts from the correct direction for your vehicle, and thread the nuts accordingly. Make sure to align the control arm and axle during installation to maintain proper suspension geometry and avoid misalignment.

5. Secure brake lines: Ensure that the hex fittings align with the mounting brackets and secure them using the retaining clips.

6. Install adjuster knobs: Place the adjuster knobs with retainer grommets into the coilover top. After installation, your car will sit lower due to the drop in ride height; adjusting the spring perch by the same amount at each corner helps maintain balance and consistent handling.

Feel free to refer to installation guides specific to your coilover model for detailed instructions.

Bump Stops and Suspension Travel Considerations

When installing coilovers on a Hyundai, paying close attention to bump stops and suspension travel is essential for both performance and the longevity of your suspension components. Bump stops act as a safeguard by preventing the shock body from fully compressing, protecting the shock piston and surrounding components from harsh impacts. Proper setup ensures your Hyundai’s suspension can handle bumps and dips without bottoming out or topping out—an especially important consideration when adjusting ride height for daily driving or track-focused performance.

To get started, it’s important to understand a few key terms. The motion ratio—the relationship between how much the wheel moves versus the shock—affects how much travel your suspension actually has. For example, if your car has a motion ratio of 0.68, the shock will move less than the wheel, so you’ll need to factor this in when setting up your bump stops and spring perch. The spring perch and shock length work together to determine your ride height and how much the spring compresses under load. Using a linear rate spring means the spring compresses at a consistent rate, making it easier to predict how your suspension will behave.

Here’s how to approach bump stop and suspension travel setup:

1. Lift the car and remove the wheels using a jack and jack stands to access the suspension. This gives you a clear view of the shock body, spring perch, and bump stops.

2. Loosen the top hat nuts with a breaker bar to allow for adjustments. Carefully measure the current shock length and note the static position of the suspension.

3. Adjust the spring perch to set your desired ride height. This is also the time to check if your helper springs are correctly seated, as they can affect droop travel and overall suspension movement.

4. Set bump stop clearance by measuring the distance between the bump stop and the shock body at static ride height. A good starting point is 1-2 mm of clearance, but this can vary depending on your car and how you plan to use it.

5. Check full compression and full droop by compressing and extending the suspension through its entire range. Make sure the shock doesn’t fully compress (bottom out) or fully extend (top out) during normal driving. Adjust the bump stops and spring perch as needed to keep the suspension within safe limits.

6. Tighten all nuts and bolts with a torque wrench to manufacturer specs, ensuring everything is secure before lowering the car back to the ground.

It’s worth double checking your setup after the car has settled. Roll the car back and forth, then re-measure the shock length and bump stop clearance. If you notice any issues—like the suspension hitting the bump stops too soon or not enough droop travel—make further adjustments to the spring perch or bump stops.

By carefully setting up your bump stops and suspension travel, you’ll protect your shock body and springs, maintain optimal handling, and avoid the pitfalls of an incorrect setup. Taking the time to measure, adjust, and double-check these points ensures your coilovers deliver the performance and comfort you expect, whether you’re daily driving or hitting the track.

Adjusting Ride Height and Damping

Once your coilovers are installed, adjusting the ride height and damping settings is crucial:

1. Lower the vehicle: Gently lower the vehicle to the ground, allowing the spring to compress under the car’s weight. Height adjustment is achieved by turning the spring perch or adjusting the damper body, which lets you set the desired ride height and optimize suspension performance.

2. Check spring alignment: Jack the car back up to full droop and confirm that the spring remains captured between the upper and lower mounts. At this stage, check the extension and full extension of the shock to ensure you have the correct amount of bump and droop travel, preventing bottoming or topping out.

3. Lock off the lower spring perch collars: Do this once everything is positioned correctly. Marking a line on the damper rod can help you track the amount of bump travel and extension during setup for more precise adjustments.

4. Roll the vehicle: After making these adjustments, roll the car backward and forward to allow the suspension to settle completely before making any final tweaks. Adjusting preload at this point changes the initial force required to compress the spring, but does not affect the spring rate.

Post-Installation Checks and Maintenance

After the installation, take the following steps to ensure everything is set up correctly:

• Double-check all locking collars: Before putting the wheels back on, ensure that every locking collar is tight to prevent any movement. After installation, check for any interference between the suspension and chassis components to avoid clearance issues.

• Test drive your vehicle: Take your car for a test drive to finalize the installation. Pay attention to any unusual sounds or handling issues. Inspecting the damper rod for correct positioning can help ensure optimal suspension performance.

• Schedule a wheel alignment: After the test drive, it’s essential to get a professional alignment to confirm that the camber and toe settings are accurate. This ensures that your vehicle handles properly under various driving conditions.

Conclusion

Installing coilovers can be a rewarding DIY project that elevates your vehicle’s performance and handling. By following this step-by-step guide, you can successfully handle the installation process. The only reason you would need to revisit your coilover adjustments is if you make significant changes to your wheels or chassis setup; otherwise, once properly set up, further adjustment is rarely necessary. Remember, we’re always here to help at Coilovers.com, offering a variety of high-quality coilover kits backed by expert support. Don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions, and happy driving.

Frequently Asked Questions

What tools do I need to install coilovers?

To install coilovers, you'll need a car jack, jack stands, a set of wrenches (12mm and 14mm), a torque wrench, and adjustment wrenches for setting the coilovers correctly.

How do coilovers improve a vehicle's performance?

Coilovers enhance performance by providing independent height and preload adjustments, which improve handling and allow for customization based on driving needs, whether for everyday use or track performance.

What are the steps for installing coilovers?

Begin by removing the old suspension, setting the preload on the new coilovers, installing the top hat and lower mounts, securing brake lines, and adjusting knobs before checking ride height and damping.

How do I adjust the ride height after installing coilovers?

To adjust ride height, lower the vehicle to compress the springs, check alignment, lock off the spring perch collars, and roll the car to settle the suspension before making final height tweaks.

Can I install coilovers on my own?

Yes, many DIY enthusiasts can install coilovers without specialized equipment, but it's crucial to follow a detailed guide and ensure you have the right tools for a safe installation.

Do I need a professional alignment after installing coilovers?

Yes, after installation, it's essential to schedule a professional wheel alignment to ensure proper camber and toe settings for optimal handling and tire longevity.