Lotus Europa Community
Lotus Europa Forums => Garage => Topic started by: elcaminokid on Wednesday,October 25, 2017, 11:35:02 AM
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Finally!
After weeks of planning, thinking, asking around, I finally managed to install the new coilovers on my S2.
When the new units arrived (protech) I was super happy: they look awesome.
Only problem: the spring was taller than the shock.
And if you tried it once, you'll know: you don't compress these prings by hand to install the top washer...
Asked around how to get them on, started planning how to build my own tool, asked local car shop and all carguys, but unfortunately, no one had the tools needed.
So I did what everyone had read, and also everyone says not to do: compress the spring with ratchet straps.
Very carful, but it works. Releasing the straps is a stressful moment (keep fingers away)!
Removed the old units from the car (10min job, litterally), and they were past their due.
Put the new ones one...:WTF: the car looked like a tractor.
I wanted to raise it a little in the rear, as it was sitting too low, but not that much.
However, after a 20min drive, the coils had their time to settle and it looks better than before. Stoked with the result!
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Very nice! :beerchug:
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Nice stance!
Yes, compressing the springs are always a bear and it seems no matter what size spring compressor I have it’s always not quite right.
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I made a simple spring compressor with a flat plate with a large hole for the shock and smaller holes that take threaded 'J' hooks. Simple. Cheap.
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I used the ratchet strap method and wasn’t too happy about it after the first shock. After abit of research I found that two old front brake discs are the ideal size. One for the top and one for the bottom. They just cover the springs but do not foul the shock body. Two pieces of threaded bar completed the rig and I found it less harrowing when releasing the tension. I picked that up from the Elan forum.
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Elcaminokid
Do you have the part number of those protech shocks and info on seller?
I need a pair 😀
Dakazman
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I used the ratchet strap method and wasn’t too happy about it after the first shock. After abit of research I found that two old front brake discs are the ideal size. One for the top and one for the bottom. They just cover the springs but do not foul the shock body. Two pieces of threaded bar completed the rig and I found it less harrowing when releasing the tension. I picked that up from the Elan forum.
I found that method too, but the difference in diameter between the lock ring and the coil was very little, so not an option for these (I think).
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Elcaminokid
Do you have the part number of those protech shocks and info on seller?
I need a pair 😀
Dakazman
No idea about PN or spring rate. I got them at SJ Sportscars and they were specced for the S2.
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They look great ,how does it handle?
Great story btw. I’ll be there soon.
Dakazman
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They look great ,how does it handle?
Great story btw. I’ll be there soon.
Dakazman
Better than before!
But that's easy as the old ones were shot. Haven't played with the damper settings yet.
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http://www.kaztechnologies.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/A-Guide-To-Your-Dampers-Chapter-from-FSAE-Book-by-Jim-Kasprzak.pdf
Figure 28 is a good place to start. The rest is above my pay grade.
Dakazman