Ok, so I picked up a set of PSS9's over on m|u for a good price. Only 1 problem, the seller hadn't realized that the locking rings on one of the front coils are stuck. I tried WD-40 to no avail, I also tried liquid wrench (like PB Blaster) and that didn't work either. I sprayed some more to let it settle in, had forgotten so I'll give it another go after this thread.

So, how can I loosen stuck locking rings??? This is the only thing keeping the coilovers from being on the car as the drop he was running is too conservative for me, I want full drop.

 

Any ideas??? So far only 1 PM with a suggestion.

Another question, what would happen if the rings are seized and had to be cut off?

 

maybe apply some heat? for a short period of time
clamp the strut to somewhere if its not installed on the car
then spray some original pb blasters

 

PM sent.

 

My friend mentioned I should by one of those $20 blow torches and heat up the rings for a few minutes. I'm going

PM replied. Thanks.

Does anyone know how much new locking rings would be? If possible, I'd like to replace the rings on all 4 coilovers with new ones. In which case I would do without the lower locking ring on the front coilovers.

Also, what can I use to clean them really well. They have dirt and road grime like caked on and I want to take advantage and just clean them as well as possible since they can't go on the car yet anyways.

 

Simple Green lots of soap and water. Then wipe them down with a rag sprayed with WD 40. Take all the rings off and put a light brush of Anti-seize on the threads.

 

Hey F....dont be a puss....put some elbow grease into it. Worst case scenerio is that you call call a Bilstein distributor and see if the can hook you up. And if you REALLY cant get them...I can sell you all my lockrings (the lower bigger ones) since I dont need them cause I am slammed all the way down...

 

no...i think u meant..u wish u were slammed like kalbone...

 

Lmao I haven't even tried getting them loose again. Been busy with other things, I think I may give Bilstein a call and see if they can "service" all 4 coils for me. And, I think you mean the lower smaller rings cause the upper bigger rings are what hold the springs.

Btw, any pics of how the car sits now? That means about another 1/4" of drop right? And a shot of the coils themselves (front and rear) of how it looks without the lower rings on? I'm considering following your lead and just doing away with the lower rings.

Yeah, I think he did mean that lol.

 

Just wanted to report back for those of you who gave me suggestions. I had sprayed more liquid wrench on the thread/locking rings (while tapping at the rings to allow it to seep in) and let it sit for like 4-5 days (was too busy to work on them). Finally went to the garage today to try to loosen them up.

I used Li'l Red's Rider's method of using a punch instead of the spanner wrenches. At first it didn't work, but then I used the spanner wrenches and i managed to break loose the lower locking ring. So, partial success.

The upper ring, however, is still stuck.

I sprayed more liquid wrench and tapped at the ring again and am going to let it sit another few days. I'm hoping it just needs a little more work. I'm going to pick up a wire brush now to clean the threads on all the coils. And they're going DOWN.

Oh, and, if J (UKSUV) ever decides to hit me up with some pics, I'm going to do away with the lower ring and DUMP the PSS9's

 

Sorry Man...Ive ACTUALLY been pretty busy (just repaired and reinstalled my Midlands-works good except for the SC whine..WHICH I DONT HAVE...LMAO!)...gimme a day or so when it stops raining and I will do ya those pics...

 

F...your response is on the Cooper thread...

 

You didn't upgrade to the 6spd or a dogbox?? Good to hear the Coop is back up and running.

I can record my s/c whine under several driving conditions and make you a playlist on iTunes so that you can play it depending on your driving style at the moment.

 

last time i had to do it i actually soak the coilovers in water (the thread, not the entire thing) overnight, the next morning, put some liquid wrench, a few taps later, it came loose

 

Its all about the moneeh and no job thing right now! Time brutha....TIME! I could sell the BMW...but that would be no fun.

 

Doo eeeet that thing is slow anyways

I feel you on being broke haha

Now that the lower ring is loose idk how to hold the shock steady and be able to put enough force on the ring...

Meh, coils can wait, I got excited about trying to make a splitter out of fiberglass a la cartar452. Oh wait, I need the money from selling the springs to fund the splitter, doh!

 

BUMP, I haven't even looked at the coilovers since I last posted because I've been busy with other things.

My month-long Bahamas trip is closing in so I need to get the coilovers on and the H-Sports shipped. Please, any ideas for getting the upper ring loose now. If the lower ring came loose, the upper WILL come loose.

Right now the only problem is that I can't hold the shock steady and be able to apply the necessary force on the ring for it to come loose. Any ideas before I just try installing it on the car and getting it loose then with whatever it takes?

 

Oh, and, J... WHERE ARE THE PICS!?!!!!

 

Dood...sorry...Absolut Vanilla and Vanilla Coke has been consuming my days...this weekend fo sho!

 

I think installing them on the car may be your best bet....you will be able to really torque them then.

Coulda bought mine that weren't seized jk

 

Lmao so you drink on the weekdays but not on the weekends?

LMAO that's actually the first thing that went through my head

Gonna see if I can try this out tomorrow, I'll post up how it goes.