How many have installed their own coilovers?

[MiniBAH]

and rate your technical know-how.

I am leaning towards installing the coilovers myself (still haven't decided which ones). My experience is limited to installing intakes and some minor engine work. Never done anything related to suspension nor do I have the proper tools (yet).

I found some good instructions but most relate to the older Mini's.

Thanks

[MotorMouth]

It won't be fun but you can probably DIY if you have the tools.

Which coilovers are you getting? If the back ones don't come with a "top plate" you'll have to take them off your old shocks which require a spring compressor.

[Coen_de_K]

I work on mini's with the "normal" tools.. without any special tools.. I did lower about 15mini's now.. and it is pretty easy! make sure.. if you don't have a spring clamb(?) that you have a friend with you to hold down the topmount of the shock...

DO IT YOURSELF... but make sure you tighten all bolts!!

luck!

Coen

[MiniBAH]

Originally Posted by Coen_de_K

I work on mini's with the "normal" tools.. without any special tools.. I did lower about 15mini's now.. and it is pretty easy! make sure.. if you don't have a spring clamb(?) that you have a friend with you to hold down the topmount of the shock...

DO IT YOURSELF... but make sure you tighten all bolts!!

luck!

Coen

Thanks for the input. What are the normal tools you're talking about? what may be normal to you may be abnormal to me

[cliff@coasttocoastusa]

• Spring compressor (if you need to use your OEM top hats and components for the replacement suspension) Be careful with this tool. Inexperience could lead to potential injury.

• Metric wrenches (mainly 13, 16, 17mm)

• Metric Sockets and a 3/8" drive ratchet

• You may need a 1/2" drive ratchet with socket for the large bolt for the rear suspension.

• Floor jack and 4 jack stands

• Big rubber hammer and some scrap 2x4's

• A must is some penetrating oil such as pb blaster for all your trouble areas.

• Have some anti-seize for replacing the nuts and bolts.

• Torque wrench and correct specs for re installation of suspension and wheels

• I probably missed something but lastly you will need patience. It will pay off though. The feeling of accomplishment will be well deserved.

[ghosthound]

coil overs would be way easier than springs. i say go for it!

[MiniBAH]

Originally Posted by cliff@coasttocoastusa

• Spring compressor (if you need to use your OEM top hats and components for the replacement suspension) Be careful with this tool. Inexperience could lead to potential injury.

• Metric wrenches (mainly 13, 16, 17mm)

• Metric Sockets and a 3/8" drive ratchet

• You may need a 1/2" drive ratchet with socket for the large bolt for the rear suspension.

• Floor jack and 4 jack stands

• Big rubber hammer and some scrap 2x4's

• A must is some penetrating oil such as pb blaster for all your trouble areas.

• Have some anti-seize for replacing the nuts and bolts.

• Torque wrench and correct specs for re installation of suspension and wheels

• I probably missed something but lastly you will need patience. It will pay off though. The feeling of accomplishment will be well deserved.

Very helpful, thanks! I have a long shopping list now. Quick question, any idea on where I can get the specs for reinstalling the suspension (torque-wise)?

[Gusting]

Since you are on the R56 forum, you probably don't have enough rust on the bolts to require cutting/drilling any out. Any suspension replacement work I've done on a car older than 6 years has required cutting and drilling bolts to get them out. When this happens, fatigue sets in and the project usually ends up taking more than one day.

The great news is, you likely don't have any rust/corrosion that would cause that to be a problem! Well maybe the salt water would cause a problem

With that being said, everything should be fairly straight forward and the previous posts are spot on.

[D Unit]

I'm proud to say I installed my coilovers myself yesterday. It only took me 7 hours... I had the coilovers which did NOT have the strut hats which does involve a lot more work. I also got stuck because I thought my stock jack and 2 jack stands would suffice, but I couldn't figure out a way to put my 2 jack stands on the front while using the stock jack.

Once I borrowed a low profile jack, things went along a lot smoother. The rear is basically 2 bolts on top and one on the bottom. The fronts have 3 screws on the top and one bolt on the bottom. Overall, it was very self gratifying and well worth it. That being said, I couldn't for the life of me figure out how to install my rear lower control arms... ARHG!

[MiniBAH]

I had my tires changed today (goodbye run-flats!) and got a good look at the suspension.. all looks "straight-forward".. but I've gotten myself in a lot of trouble for thinking that

D Unit, what coilovers did you install? and how did u get the torque specs for the bolts?

I think i'm going to go for it.. I'll try to document it as well..

[wildfamily]

Piece of cake on the coil-overs. I had never done any suspension work before but a buddy and I did all 4 corners in about 4 hours and we were taking our time really making sure things were right. Didn't even need the spring compressors. If you do want to use spring compressors I know you can borrow them for free from Autuzone and other car parts stores. We used an impact wrench but it wasn't necessary. Just made it a little faster/easier.

[D Unit]

I installed a set of KW Variant 3 coilovers that require the use of the existing strut hats. I lifted the front and rear one side at a time so I could juxtapose the stock side with the one I was working on. For torque specs, I borrowed a friends torque wrench and just went off KW's recommendations.

Removal of both sides is pretty straightforward, but one part I did get stuck at was reinstalling the front struts. After I "rebuilt" my front strut assembly and was able to align the 3 screws on top and tighten those in, I had a hard time seating the bottom of the front strut all the down the "steering knuckle." I basically lubed the bottom of the strut and steering knuckle with wd-40, placed my hydraulic jack underneath the rotor, and slowly raised the rotor up while simultaneously rocking the front strut in a clockwise/counter-clockwise motion that eventually seated it properly to the steering knuckle. I apologize if that sounds confusing, but I'm inept from sounding remotely intelligent in regards to car mechanics.

[MiniBAH]

Thanks D Unit. I read your thread about the KWs and got completely lost.. and I sort of panicked.. donuts and pieces not fitting.. is that all sorted now? Do I need to buy something other than the coilovers? replacement parts from the dealer or something?

[D Unit]

Originally Posted by MiniBAH

Thanks D Unit. I read your thread about the KWs and got completely lost.. and I sort of panicked.. donuts and pieces not fitting.. is that all sorted now? Do I need to buy something other than the coilovers? replacement parts from the dealer or something?

Haha... I apologize. My experience is more of an anomaly than a normality. I think this illustration makes it pretty clear of the part that I am missing that I should have received from the guy that sold it to me or from KW.

But trust me, I highly doubt you will have this problem and sounds more confusing than it really is because I don't have the correct verbage to explain the real technical part names.

[MiniBAH]

Riteo! Thanks for the update. I need to wait until the weather gets better before buying/installing.. its averaging 45c these days (113+ f)..