Coilovers are an amazing find for someone who’s really into car suspensions. They let you tweak your car’s suspension to get right mix of a smooth ride and speedy handling–but knowing the right way to reconfigure your coilovers is key to making the most of them. In this full guide, we’ll show you each step you need to adjust your coilovers so your car handles great. Regardless ofif you’re already pretty good with cars or starting out, this guide will teach you how to adjust coilovers and get first rate at making those tweaks.
The Basics of Coilovers
This feature lets you change the distance between your vehicle’s chassis and the ground. Lowering the ride height can enhance stability and cornering performance. Compression damping controls how the suspension reacts when compressed, such as when hitting a bump. Adjusting compression can impact your ride’s comfort and handling. Rebound damping influences how the suspension reacts when extending, like when coming off a bump. Correct rebound settings help maintain tire contact with the road.
Pre-Adjustment Preparation
- A level surface: Find a flat and even location, preferably a garage or workspace, to make accurate adjustments.
- Proper tools: You’ll need the appropriate wrenches, spanners, and a jack to access your vehicle’s suspension components.
- Manufacturer’s instructions: Refer to the manufacturer’s guidelines for your specific coilovers, as adjustment methods vary.
Ride Height Adjustment
Adjusting ride height is often the first step in coilover tuning:
- Lift your vehicle: Use a jack to raise the wheel you want to adjust until it’s off the ground. Ensure it’s safely supported with jack stands.
- Locate the ride height adjuster: This is typically a threaded collar on the coilover body, often found above the lower mounting bracket.
- Loosen the locking collar: Use the appropriate spanners to loosen the locking collar without altering the position of the lower bracket.
- Adjust the ride height: Turn the threaded collar clockwise to lower the vehicle or counterclockwise to raise it. Be mindful of the manufacturer’s recommended range for adjustments.
Compression Damping Adjustment
Fine-tuning compression damping can significantly impact your vehicle’s ride quality and handling:
- Locate the compression damping adjustment knob: It’s often at the top of the coilover assembly.
- Reference the manufacturer’s guidelines: Some coilovers require turning the knob clockwise to stiffen compression, while others may work in the opposite direction. Consult your manufacturer‘s instructions for the correct direction.
- Make incremental adjustments: Start with minor adjustments to avoid sudden and drastic changes in ride comfort. Test your vehicle’s handling and ride quality after each adjustment.
- Road test: Take your vehicle for a test drive to assess the impact of your compression damping adjustments.
- Repeat the process: Keep refining your settings until you find the right balance between comfort and performance.
Rebound Damping Adjustment
Rebound damping influences how quickly the suspension returns to its extended position:
- Locate the rebound damping adjustment knob: It’s typically positioned near the compression damping knob or at the top of the coilover assembly.
- Reference the manufacturer’s guidelines: Just like with compression damping, consult the manufacturer’s instructions to determine the appropriate direction for adjustments.
- Make incremental changes: Start with minor adjustments and assess your vehicle’s handling and ride comfort after each tweak.
- Test your adjustments: Take your vehicle for a test drive to gauge the effects of your rebound damping adjustments.
- Fine-tune as needed: Continue adjusting until you find the right balance between control and ride comfort.
Alignment Check
Once you’ve tweaked your coilover wrench, it’s important to check how straight your car’s wheels are. Changing how high or low your car sits can make mistakes the way your wheels point, which can cause your tires to wear out weirdly and make your car tougher to steer right. You should definitely get a pro to make sure all your car’s wheels are lined up right to keep your driving safe and smooth.
Wrapping Up
So remember to tweak things bit by bit, and check what you’re doing each step of the way. You must be safe when you’re affecting your car’s suspension. If you get first rate at adjusting the coilovers, you can get your car to ride really smooth and handle well too.
