GC coilover kit install, do i really need to remove the stock spring perch?

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  • ebox86
    E30 Addict
    • Sep 2012
    • 528

    #1

    GC coilover kit install, do i really need to remove the stock spring perch?

    Hey all,

    question to all you GC people, i am prepping to install the kit, have the strut inserts (koni) and i have a question about the coil perch. Do i have to cut and remove the stock spring perch to install the GC kit? I am looking for stock ride height, not looking to drop it and if anything, maybe .5". I have the strut housings as shown below:





    I imagine i can just slip this around the collar but every GC install thread i see says you have to cut the stock perch, but some say i don't
    '99 e46 323i - wrecked
    '87 e30 325iS - sold
    '91 e30 325i - sold
    '89 e30 M3 - fun car
    '09 e91 328i - sold
    '97 impreza - rally car - flipped
    '08 impreza - new rally car
    '01 996 tt - more fun car
    '82 Ford f350 - work truck
  • acolella76
    R3VLimited
    • Apr 2010
    • 2950

    #2
    No you don't HAVE to remove the perch. It will just be a little difficult to get at the adjuster but if you aren't lowering it that much, then it won't be a problem.
    -Alex

    Comment

    • ebox86
      E30 Addict
      • Sep 2012
      • 528

      #3
      ok awesome, thanks!

      Which way does the GC adjuster sit on the housing? there is a notch or ring embezeled around the bottom half of the adjuster, does it sit with that notch up or down?
      '99 e46 323i - wrecked
      '87 e30 325iS - sold
      '91 e30 325i - sold
      '89 e30 M3 - fun car
      '09 e91 328i - sold
      '97 impreza - rally car - flipped
      '08 impreza - new rally car
      '01 996 tt - more fun car
      '82 Ford f350 - work truck

      Comment

      • trippmann
        Advanced Member
        • Dec 2012
        • 118

        #4
        the way you have it pictured looks like the proper way. I would wait for someone who has this kit to chime in however.
        Originally posted by unloadedak
        It's brand new. I've gripped the shaft a couple times and that's about it.

        Comment

        • dirtbag30
          Mod Crazy
          • Apr 2013
          • 678

          #5
          yes just like you have it in the picture.


          i have no idea what i am doing with my life

          Comment

          • ebox86
            E30 Addict
            • Sep 2012
            • 528

            #6
            One thing that worries me is that when i put the koni insert in, it was really tight and snug, like really really tight, so tight that i don't think i'll be able to get it out, Has anyone experienced the same thing? Do they losen themselves up with the vibration from being on the road? Or is there a special way that a shop would remove old struts when they're in there pretty good?

            Also, does anyone know what stock ride height would look like on the adjuster screw? how many threads from the top should the GC adjuster coil perch sit?
            '99 e46 323i - wrecked
            '87 e30 325iS - sold
            '91 e30 325i - sold
            '89 e30 M3 - fun car
            '09 e91 328i - sold
            '97 impreza - rally car - flipped
            '08 impreza - new rally car
            '01 996 tt - more fun car
            '82 Ford f350 - work truck

            Comment

            • eLKuRLy
              Grease Monkey
              • Oct 2007
              • 360

              #7
              You add a bit of oil in the strut.
              Also you might need to change the strut collar if it rubs against the spring.
              I just shaved/cut the collar nut so it would not rub.

              Comment

              • ebox86
                E30 Addict
                • Sep 2012
                • 528

                #8
                Originally posted by eLKuRLy
                You add a bit of oil in the strut.
                Also you might need to change the strut collar if it rubs against the spring.
                I just shaved/cut the collar nut so it would not rub.
                Good to know, i will probably shave mine down a hair as well.

                Wondering still about the adjustable coil perch, Is there a guide somewhere that shows where to start with these? All i have to go on is the gold adjuster ring which says 'Ground Control <--Down Up-->' not sure where the point of reference to go 'up' or 'down' would be. I am noticing the ones you have shown in your picture are pretty far down there.

                Where is stock ride height located on the screw? Is it all the way to the top?
                Last edited by ebox86; 01-28-2014, 11:29 AM.
                '99 e46 323i - wrecked
                '87 e30 325iS - sold
                '91 e30 325i - sold
                '89 e30 M3 - fun car
                '09 e91 328i - sold
                '97 impreza - rally car - flipped
                '08 impreza - new rally car
                '01 996 tt - more fun car
                '82 Ford f350 - work truck

                Comment

                • AndrewBird
                  The Mad Scientist
                  • Oct 2003
                  • 11892

                  #9
                  Why do you even have coilovers if you want to run stock height?

                  As far as where to adjust it, set it all the way in one direction, put the car on the ground and see how it sits. If you want it higher/lower, adjust as needed.

                  Comment

                  • ebox86
                    E30 Addict
                    • Sep 2012
                    • 528

                    #10
                    Originally posted by NitroRustlerDriver
                    Why do you even have coilovers if you want to run stock height?

                    As far as where to adjust it, set it all the way in one direction, put the car on the ground and see how it sits. If you want it higher/lower, adjust as needed.
                    I'm guess I'm not looking for stock height permanently, but as this is a daily, and also my first experience with coils, I just want to start at stock height, see where it sits, and then lower it from there to a comfortable position, i just don't want to damage anything like the fender or the tire by lowering it farther than i needed to to start out.

                    But thank you for the advice, i have the coil perches set almost all the way to the top, with only a couple threads showing. I'll put it on the ground and see where it sits. Lowering it seems pretty easy but i now see why people remove these stock spring perches...
                    '99 e46 323i - wrecked
                    '87 e30 325iS - sold
                    '91 e30 325i - sold
                    '89 e30 M3 - fun car
                    '09 e91 328i - sold
                    '97 impreza - rally car - flipped
                    '08 impreza - new rally car
                    '01 996 tt - more fun car
                    '82 Ford f350 - work truck

                    Comment

                    • IronFreak
                      No R3VLimiter
                      • Dec 2012
                      • 3702

                      #11
                      Refer to pictures 2 and 3 in this link.....



                      you can cut it down to this point and leave the rest for the sleeve to rest on. it will allow you to adjust without a problem. Just lower you jack slowly, you wont ruin anything....and I guarantee you wont run stock ride height when you see the car lowered....
                      sigpic

                      Rebellion Forge Custom Fabrication

                      1988 325is - TrackRat in progress

                      Instagram @rebellionforge

                      Comment

                      • Cletonius
                        R3VLimited
                        • Oct 2010
                        • 2809

                        #12
                        As per your original questions, you don't have to cut anything but it's worth it if you do. Kind of sad your housings are so pretty. :(

                        Here's what mine looks like on the highest setting. I sectioned one inch from the housing.



                        Originally posted by ebox86
                        I'm guess I'm not looking for stock height permanently, but as this is a daily, and also my first experience with coils, I just want to start at stock height, see where it sits, and then lower it from there to a comfortable position, i just don't want to damage anything like the fender or the tire by lowering it farther than i needed to to start out.
                        If you don't cut your strut tubes you'll probably have to run a longer spring in the back or you'll have some serious reverse rake.

                        Just for reference, I daily my car at this height. It's almost as tall as the car gets but I don't have to worry about manhole covers or speed bumps... Still drives like a go kart.

                        - Josh
                        1990 325is

                        Need a shift boot?
                        Looking to buy shift boot frames, PM if you have one to sell

                        Here's what happens when you let the internet pick your license plate

                        Comment

                        • ebox86
                          E30 Addict
                          • Sep 2012
                          • 528

                          #13
                          Originally posted by IronFreak
                          ....and I guarantee you wont run stock ride height when you see the car lowered....
                          yea i agree, it won't be for long, im sure i will play with it once its on the ground.

                          Originally posted by Cletonius
                          If you don't cut your strut tubes you'll probably have to run a longer spring in the back or you'll have some serious reverse rake.

                          Just for reference, I daily my car at this height. It's almost as tall as the car gets but I don't have to worry about manhole covers or speed bumps... Still drives like a go kart.
                          Can you elaborate on this a little bit? I like the way your car sits. Have you cut your tubes to get it that height?

                          I guess I'm just confused on what i need to do, i am certain now that the stock spring perches are fine, its more of a convenience issue with getting to the adjuster, but what is the benefit gained by cutting or shortening the strut tubes?
                          '99 e46 323i - wrecked
                          '87 e30 325iS - sold
                          '91 e30 325i - sold
                          '89 e30 M3 - fun car
                          '09 e91 328i - sold
                          '97 impreza - rally car - flipped
                          '08 impreza - new rally car
                          '01 996 tt - more fun car
                          '82 Ford f350 - work truck

                          Comment

                          • IronFreak
                            No R3VLimiter
                            • Dec 2012
                            • 3702

                            #14
                            Originally posted by ebox86
                            yea i agree, it won't be for long, im sure i will play with it once its on the ground.



                            Can you elaborate on this a little bit? I like the way your car sits. Have you cut your tubes to get it that height?

                            I guess I'm just confused on what i need to do, i am certain now that the stock spring perches are fine, its more of a convenience issue with getting to the adjuster, but what is the benefit gained by cutting or shortening the strut tubes?
                            If you are running stock length Koni shocks your can't cut the tubes. If you put IX shocks in they are shorter. This effectively allows you to lower the car before ever making any adjustment to the spring. your going to have to play with ride height man, we cant say, "set it here for stock height". Put it together, set the collar on both sleeves at the same setting and put the car on the ground. you'll probably have to make an adjustment a few times.
                            sigpic

                            Rebellion Forge Custom Fabrication

                            1988 325is - TrackRat in progress

                            Instagram @rebellionforge

                            Comment

                            • ebox86
                              E30 Addict
                              • Sep 2012
                              • 528

                              #15
                              Originally posted by IronFreak
                              If you are running stock length Koni shocks your can't cut the tubes. If you put IX shocks in they are shorter. This effectively allows you to lower the car before ever making any adjustment to the spring. your going to have to play with ride height man, we cant say, "set it here for stock height". Put it together, set the collar on both sleeves at the same setting and put the car on the ground. you'll probably have to make an adjustment a few times.
                              yea... thats what i'm thinking, this is something i'm going to have to adjust for the car. Im just trying to learn as much as i can about this before i go and play and make a stupid mistake. Playing with the setup will be the fun part.

                              Currently both struts are assembled, both sleeves at the same height. Things look good and i can't wait to put them on!

                              And yea i am running stock length koni's.

                              thanks for the help!
                              '99 e46 323i - wrecked
                              '87 e30 325iS - sold
                              '91 e30 325i - sold
                              '89 e30 M3 - fun car
                              '09 e91 328i - sold
                              '97 impreza - rally car - flipped
                              '08 impreza - new rally car
                              '01 996 tt - more fun car
                              '82 Ford f350 - work truck

                              Comment

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