Escortpower
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Coilover top spring plate
Hoping people that have completed a coilover install can help here. When installing the spring top plate should it sit "on top" of the shocker ie: the threaded section providing a fixed seat or should I be drilling it out to slide up and down on the actual shocker piston keeping the spring captive if the suspension droops at full travel? If the latter, wouldn't it damage the shocker?
Reason I am asking is I have seen a lot of pictures that have the spring top plate well down the shocker following the springs travel. I am trying to work out where to mount the tubes to get the right ride height and I don't want to have to do it twice.
Any help appreciated. Thanks in advance, Craig.
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Mickas
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RE: Coilover top spring plate
2010/04/28 08:17:12
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Top plate should sit on the shoulder of the shaft. below the threaded section. If it slides it will be noisy and damage your shaft.
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Escortpower
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RE: Coilover top spring plate
2010/04/28 19:41:53
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That's what I thought too Mickas but I have seen photos of it done the other way. I don't like the idea of an alloy plate grinding up and down my Koni's. I am still a bit unsure about this whole conversion thing but will press on.
Craig.
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Mickas
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RE: Coilover top spring plate
2010/04/28 19:46:05
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If you design the package correctly you won't have the spring coming loose on full suspension extension... If you can't you just use a helper spring...
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ash
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RE: Coilover top spring plate
2010/04/28 19:50:45
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I found that with 400lb/8" front springs, even with an 80mm helper spring, I cannot set the car at a normal ride height and keep the spring captive. I would have to run the car about 1" higher than standard to keep the spring captive, let alone making it 2" lower than standard.
Moral of the story? Standard Mk2 front shocks are way too long in their travel for a lowered highly sprung car.
Lower rate springs would help, as they compress more so the car sits lower.
Ash
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Mickas
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RE: Coilover top spring plate
2010/04/28 20:12:46
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JamesR
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RE: Coilover top spring plate
2010/04/28 21:20:02
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drill it to 5/8 or 16mm hole craig. mount the threaded tube approx 2inch from top of strut, thats where i have mine, still have heaps of adjustment. feel free to call or txt me if you need any info.
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razzle308
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RE: Coilover top spring plate
2011/03/22 00:29:09
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I have this Q too as i am about to go down this path. I have seen also the plate on the shaft and thought it wierd. Any suggestions on spring lenght/weight? Any pics?
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ash
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RE: Coilover top spring plate
2011/03/22 00:58:32
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Do you want a nice road car, or good track setup?
250lbs/in for road, 350-400 for track.
Shorter springs help with tyre clearance if you have a lot of +ve offset (although I know you want 0 offset, so if you get it, then spring length shouldnt matter - apart from the extra weight :) ).
As I mentioned earlier in this post, if you go for a high spring rate (350-400), you'll need the longest helper spring you can get to keep them captive (or a short travel shock). Longer springs wont help, as they compress the same amount for the same spring rate as a shorter spring.
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razzle308
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RE: Coilover top spring plate
2011/03/22 01:05:59
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Hi Ash. Heavy road use. I see you've been reading [(#)] Ok - most of that went over my head. What is a helper spring. Do i have to have one. (i've never heard of them.) How does spring length effect offset? Should i just go buy a lowered 2L spring and be done with it.
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ash
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RE: Coilover top spring plate
2011/03/22 01:19:41
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Razzle, best to go coilies rather than just a 2L spring, as its nice to be able to tweak the ride height and adjust for differences in the chassis - not uncommon on a 30yo body shell!! Coilie kits are so cheap these days anyway. If you DONT need to go over the pits, you can do without the helper spring, as its just a legal requirement and not really necessary in my opinion. The blue spring below is the helper. Its just a really light spring that is normally fully compressed but when the car is lifted, it expands to take up the slack and stop the main spring from slopping around.  If you have to go over the pits, then you can just raise it up and you wont need the helper anyway. They are sort of exy compared to a normal spring, as you need 2 helper springs and two adapter rings - usually cost more than a pair of normal springs! Ash
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ash
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RE: Coilover top spring plate
2011/03/22 01:28:47
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BTW, this is the cheapest kit I've seen that comes with helpers:
http://www.otomoto.com.au/HDSystems/sleevekits.htm
(4 kg/mm = 220 lbs/in)
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razzle308
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RE: Coilover top spring plate
2011/03/22 02:15:00
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So you don't have probs with it traveling past it's ride hieght? Is the 220lb a recomendation? What are you running?
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ash
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RE: Coilover top spring plate
2011/03/22 15:45:27
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Hi Razzle,
Not sure what you mean by "travelling past its ride height"? I drilled mine out with a 5/8" drill so it sits on the koni's step up and therefore doesnt slide on the shaft.
220lb is a bit low for my liking - I just provided it as a conversion since they quote 4kg/mm on their site. I'd try for a 5kg/mm (275lb) in the Otomoto range - assuming they have that rate.
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razzle308
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RE: Coilover top spring plate
2011/03/22 17:28:32
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Ok. That sorted it. So your top plate doesn't slide down the shaft. The huy's at otomoto suggested about 5kg as well but said to check that with someone in the escort know! The springs are 200mm long. Does that sound ok? How far along the strut tube did you mount the sleeve?
Anyone with 2L strut towers for sale??
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