can someone explain.....

[3>4]

can someone explain to me the quantum physics behind "what CAN go wrong WILL go wrong"????

seems like my car is trying to tell me something because every mod or adjustment i have done from a simple short-shifter install to a more complex suspension swap has had some sort of "hitch" in it...this time its the effin' suspension again!!! its time to adjust the coilovers down for the good weather...the first two, the rears go without a single problem

then come the fronts...

on the first one i can move the strut body freely....but cannot budge the lower locking ring

so i spray with some silicone lube and move over to the other side

this one i get the locking ring to break free....but ill be damned if i cant rotate the ****ing strut body!!

to make a long story short, i left the ass end low and the front in the air and will have to waste another night working on a project that should have taken me 20 mins!!! i have been adjusting coilovers now for 4 summers....NEVER have i had a problem like this. I am beginning to think my subie hates me and tightens up every time i come at her with a wrench!

sorry im just venting cause swinging a mallet wildly at the adjusting tool did NOTHING to settle my rage >

 

[Pedro]

ditch the silicone, get some PB blaster and hose'er down about an hour or so before you try again.

where abouts are you?

 

[inski]

Sounds like everyday starting at 7:30 am.

My front DMSs were like that. I just gave the lower ring a swift pop with a screwdriver and hammer. Then I popped the upper the opposite direction. If that dont work get 2 pair of rounded claw channel-locks, big ones. Use a shop rag to protect your rings from the channel-lock teeth, if you chew them up 'oh well,' nobody ever sees them things. Be sure to look at your threads on the body making sure you are going the right way.

Also, periodically brush your threads out with a stiff brush. I used a paint brush with the bristles cut short so I can get right up into the lock rings and inside the springs. Coilovers require babysitting. Tape up exposed threads, use compressed air to blow out excess grit and road snot, and be prepared to cuss and grandma when they dont co-operate. If I had the $$$ I'd definately get coilovers again, H&Rs or something more street worthy than DMSs, worth the headache imho.

 

[3>4]

yeah i threw some PB blaster on there too....but i believe the threads are plastic???? ill try giving them a good soaking a couple of hours before i give it another shot...i didnt have time to let it sit long cause the sun went down

i have also brushed them out and made sure to hit them with the pressure washer during the winter.....but taping up exposed threads?!?! i have never tried that

babysitting is a good word. its funny how i was always having to re-tighten them last summer....now i cant get them to bust loose...ironic. they are definitely worth the headache when everything is functioning properly though. ill probably just have to get someone to hold onto the upper lock ring with the tool and bang on the lower one with a screwdriver. no one was home tonight and i must have misplaced my third hand....haha

 

[3>4]

has anyone ever heard of an instance where the coilovers couldn't be busted loose at all? all my efforts have yielded NO results...i am about an hour from ripping them out and so i can really start banging on them....but its really a pain in the ass to do that

to add to the pain...found a screw in the tire i took off this morning..its really small, im not sure it could be plugged...that's called getting kicked while your down!

 

[inski]

Plastic threads? Doesn't sound good. What kind of coilovers do you have? If you take your suspension out you will need 4 hands. One for the upper ring, one for the lower ring one to hold tool(s), and one to hold the strut assembly.

I'd offer to help but I'm about to dive in over my head with VW stuff. 3 engine mounts, 15-16 shifter linkage bushings, and a short shift rod.

Since Murphy's Law is hanging around your house my project should go well.

 

[3>4]

haha...thanks for the offer, but i got them out and back in with two hands....still couldn't get them to budge, but i am getting good at pulling them out and putting them back on

they are actually made of steel...Megan Racing street series

i pulled one out and banged on the lower perch with a rubber mallet...no dice....i am thinking i may try a warranty claim on them....but that may mean no driving for a looooooong time....my first thought was that id miss the WBM! hahaha my other option is to try and get them rebuilt...but it might be cheaper and less labor intensive to try and buy two brand new ones...sucks since i have had them for only about 10 months!