spinifex wrote:Sorry for n00b questions here.... I can't find any easy-to-understand-plain-english-for-dumb-people information on coilovers, except for the very amusing, but true, comments on here from several members.
I have a Gen3 wagon and the suspension is shagged. Needs springs & shocks all round. Currently running ???-brand shockies & Kings Lows, which are a bit sagged.
I've been quoted by 3 big-name reputable suspension companies, here in Brisbane, all approx $2200 supplied & fitted, for a full set of shocks/springs plus a handful of bushes which also need replacing.
If i'm going to spend this amount of coin, (I'd like to do it cheaper, obviously - so it may come down to self-install & trailer to suitable professional for checkover & alignment) on JUST springs/shocks, I may as well go coilovers.
Car is daily driver, with occasional fang through the mountains. Don't want to wear kidney belt every time I drive over a feather. I don't fully understand about spring-rates.... in reading through several forums & this thread.
I'm not interested in installing anything else like anti lift kits or thicker swaybars as the car will NEVER see a racetrack - it's purely a daily driver with regular moments of "spirited" driving or when joining the Subaru boys for a cruise.
I believe the BC BR's for Gen3 Liberty (Code F-05) come with 8kg front & rear, but I don't actually know what this means. Can I order different springs for a more compliant ride on Brisbanes sh!t roads?
What would users recommend. I want comfortable ride & handling on the streets, with the ability to tighten/harden things up as desired.
A standard spring/shock setup may well be easier and just as good, but I'm also thinking re-sale value later on (purchasers prefer a good set of coilies, over standard) plus the ability to raise/lower the car as desired. I understand stock shockies of any description, don't like lowered springs and reduces the lifespan of the suspension, as well as the disadvantage of reduced shock travel. I like the idea of being low, with full travel.
Another forum suggested a member used 6/4kg springs (I think) on his wagon, which made it much more comfortable on the streets, but if ordering a non-standard combination of units/springs, do the dampers get re-valved to suit the softer springs, ex-factory? Or do I need to fork out more $$$ once I get them, to have them revalved to suit?
I realise there's a lot more fine-tuning involved, and on-road comfort is not JUST about the springs themselves, but adjusting the damper & rebound too.... but all these things are foreign to me, and would appreciate any helpful advice.
NOTE: I DONT HAVE the $2200+ quoted to me, to get this done.... I could probably achieve this using credit, if necessary, but i'd prefer a cheaper option, where possible..... but I need to get the car on the road ASAP and i'm running out of time.
I fully understand the whole "you get what you pay for" thing..... FULLY understood.... but as mentioned, this is not a F1 or rally or race car, and whatever suspension I go for, I will also need a full set of tyres, as my rooted suspension has also rooted my tyres... so I'm looking at a good range of options.
Any assistance or advice is appreciated
Get some $550 bilsteins from a gen 4 off wheelpower on Ebay. Search for spec b bilstein.
If you have the most basic of basic hand tools you can do the swap yourself with ease except one part you'll need a mate or a spring compressor. (2 people works fine).
All you do is take out the rears (3 bolts total) and put the new rears in (replace 2 nuts 1 bolt), then take the fronts out (3 nuts, 2 bolts, 2 little bolts), unscrew the top hats off (17mm ring spanner and a 6mm allen key from memory, undo the top nut, replace gen4 strut top with gen 3 strut top, get mate to push down and get nut on a few threads. Do up).
Install is simple again, reverse of removal, 3 nuts, 2 bolts, 2 little bolts.
I reckon I have some Gen3 and Gen4 STI pinks that suit the gen 3 perfectly as well sitting about to sell... Is a good inch lower than stock and a good rise in rate and will shit on any >2000 dollar coilover.
As for bushes...they can be easy or a f*ck around depending which are stuffed.
Also ask me how I know people dont want to buy a car with coilovers, even if theyre bloody good ones.
Just re read this thread and figured cheap advice is good
win/win