The locking rings that hold the spring perches in place on my coilovers sometimes work themselves loose. I've read of others with the same problem and wonder if anyone has a simple fix. I don't want to add a set screw, so let's skip that suggestion please.

 

I've never tried myself, but you might want to try applying some blue thread-locking compound (loctite) on the threads for the locking ring.

Good Luck!

 

I don't think you want to put threadlocker on the coilover threads, even blue. Once it's been there awhile, you'll probably have to heat it up to get them free and I wouldn't be inclined to use a torch on my dampers.

I haven't had a problem with my own loosening. Try making sure the collars are clean (brake cleaner should help, with maybe a little brushing depending on how dirty the collars are). Then I just use the spanners that came with the kit and snug them up tight. I'm bigger than average, so tight might be relative. You could use a mallet to help snug them up if need be. I normally need to do that to get them loosened up again after some months have passed.

Good luck.
Scott
90SM

 

You shouldn't have to put too much to get the job done. BTW, I've never had to use a torch to loosen blue loctite ever.

Cheers

 

I agree that a little goes a long way. I used it on my rear camber links (H-Sport) to keep the lock nuts from coming loose (they did, more than once resulting in boatloads of negative camber). When I was adjusting things more often, I could get them loose just using wrenches.

This past weekend, after 2 years with no adjustment, we had to resort to using a torch to get them free. I could see the blue liquid running out of the downhill end of the turnbuckle as the locker melted on the uphill side.

Maybe it wouldn't be an issue on the coilover locking collars. I've never tried it as I had no need to.

Scott
90SM

 

Yeah I know what you mean about the camber links. I too use blue to secure the jam nuts in place. It usually requires a very long wrench and some grunting to get it loose.

I guess some coilover collars have looser tolerances than others. My PSS9 seem to stay locked with no problem as well.

-Aaron

 

Mine are all the way down so they cant come loose...no more threads So, I cant offer anymore advice except for tighten it MORE!~

 

Both PSS9 and SPAX locked up just fine for me.

Regarding those links, we were on an alignment rack and using pretty standard combination wrenches, which in 1 1/4" and 1 1/8" are well over a foot long. I could get the link to twist in the bushings without the jamb nuts breaking free. The torch solved it nicely.

That experience could have been due to the time (25 months), miles (over 50,000) and the fresh coating of salt. It snowed (barely) earlier in the week and the Indiana DOT overreacted as usual. Too much threadlocker may have been used way back when too. Anyway, a little bit went on again when we were done with the alignment.

Slighly (more) off topic, using upper and lower links makes adjusting rear toe and camber FAR easier than using the stock toe adjustment feature without the benefit of the BMW tool. Money well spent back in early 2003.

Scott
90SM

 

I still have both my ALTA sets in my toolbox waiting to go on but with all the bullcrap I have had with their endlinks with no help....I might just scrap those and go with the trusty H-Sports

 

I'm trying to avoid the thread locker options as I want to be able to easily make adjustments from time to time without having to fight my way through the remains left behind in the threads.

I'm able to exert plenty of torque so I don't think that's the problem either.

I'm starting to wonder whether the locking ring mating surfaces are just too friction free. It's so smooth it feels like that stuff they put on pots & pans so food won't stick (can't remember what it's called at the moment).

 

TEFLON.... ......Hmmmm.....fishy!

 

i think you're just not cracking the seat locks hard enough.
and as one mentioned above, i would recommend you NOT use
any threadlock.

i use to run TEIN coilovers all the time on my previous cars
and i talk to the engineers in Japan about the locks loosening.
they said im not cranking hard enough. and they were correct.

 

I think some of you are giving loctite a little too much credit. A drop of blue should allow you to give enough locking force to keep the collar in place. Breaking them loose should be a breeze. And I don't think there will be that much left-over residue to impede adjustment. Anyhow, good luck and I hope you find a solution.

 

Thanks for the tips - I have a few ideas now for when I put these things back together.