Coilover Install, easy/hard?
Thread Starter
AKA "The CLOWN"
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 6,261
Likes: 13
From: Chicago South Suburbs
Coilover Install, easy/hard?
I will be buying Stance coil overs in the spring and planning on doing the install myself to save some money. An alignment will be done after they are on. I plan to use the zip tie method, is there anything else that is difficult about the install? Looks pretty simple to me?
Also I hear it's kinda of a PITA to get the ride hight adjusted?
Also I hear it's kinda of a PITA to get the ride hight adjusted?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 5,169
Likes: 199
From: Your Sister's Bedroom
I will be buying Stance coil overs in the spring and planning on doing the install myself to save some money. An alignment will be done after they are on. I plan to use the zip tie method, is there anything else that is difficult about the install? Looks pretty simple to me?
Also I hear it's kinda of a PITA to get the ride hight adjusted?
Also I hear it's kinda of a PITA to get the ride hight adjusted?
We have high hopes.
Brian If you want to install Coil Overs you can just drive up here and Josh and I can help you put them in. Its pretty simple.
Thread Starter
AKA "The CLOWN"
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 6,261
Likes: 13
From: Chicago South Suburbs
Josh and I are going to be testing a brand new set of Coil Overs from a very well known company that has decided to step into the corvette market in the upcoming months. I will post detailed install photos and a review once we get it to road america.
We have high hopes.
Brian If you want to install Coil Overs you can just drive up here and Josh and I can help you put them in. Its pretty simple.
We have high hopes.
Brian If you want to install Coil Overs you can just drive up here and Josh and I can help you put them in. Its pretty simple.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 1,720
Likes: 38
From: Colorado
i would say it was tedious, but not hard. the directions assume a few near fantasy level things (like the things come out of the box at the exact angle they'll be bolted in) but once you get past that, no, it's something i'd argue any shadetree mechanic could swing. and when i say get past, i mean if you just look at how they go in, you may end up bolting one side down, pushing them to where they line up on the top/bottom, unbolting them, then rebolting them as the directions call. just small things like that.
a lift would make it MUCH easier, but i did mine on the ground before i had the lift. with a lift, i'd say it's a 1-2 hour job!
a lift would make it MUCH easier, but i did mine on the ground before i had the lift. with a lift, i'd say it's a 1-2 hour job!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 769
Likes: 1
From: Columbia TN
I installed mine in my garage on jack stands. If you are at all mechanically inclined then you should be fine. The instructions don't list every little detail. I also used Toque's website along with the instructions from Pfadt.
Make sure to support the rotor and lower control arm when unbolting the last of four bolts on the upper arm. If you don't you'll end up with some chewed up threads on whichever bolt you choose to pull out last. I had the rotor and lower control are resting on my legs with a jack beneath the ball joint and still managed to chew up the threads on the last bolt. It was a nervous several minutes cleaning those threads out with a tap. Other than that little oversight the install was fairly straightforward.
Make sure to support the rotor and lower control arm when unbolting the last of four bolts on the upper arm. If you don't you'll end up with some chewed up threads on whichever bolt you choose to pull out last. I had the rotor and lower control are resting on my legs with a jack beneath the ball joint and still managed to chew up the threads on the last bolt. It was a nervous several minutes cleaning those threads out with a tap. Other than that little oversight the install was fairly straightforward.
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 4,095
Likes: 42
From: Pewaukee WI
Blitz' did mine on Jack stands. Not a difficult job. I took my time, had good music on and refreshments on hand. Took and easy afternoon. No deadline or time table.
I did some research and made sure the spring tensions and height settings were the same for front and rear pairs.
Fitted them and was very happy with the standard set up ride height.
Had the alignment done and have been very happy!
Good luck on your DYI, pls share pics. Very interested to see how the Stance coil over perform.
I did some research and made sure the spring tensions and height settings were the same for front and rear pairs.
Fitted them and was very happy with the standard set up ride height.
Had the alignment done and have been very happy!
Good luck on your DYI, pls share pics. Very interested to see how the Stance coil over perform.
Pro
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 552
Likes: 4
From: Mukilteo WA
It took longer than I expected but wasn't that difficult.
I also cut my stock front leaf in half with a cut off wheel so I didn't have to mess around with getting the spindle out of the way for it.
It was a base spring so no real value to it.
I also cut my stock front leaf in half with a cut off wheel so I didn't have to mess around with getting the spindle out of the way for it.
It was a base spring so no real value to it.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 838
Likes: 5
From: San Diego CA
Brian I just did the Stance coilover install and its no big deal at all and the ride height is pretty easy too. If you need assistance let me know I had several phone calls with them and they told me a few tips.
Thread Starter
AKA "The CLOWN"
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 6,261
Likes: 13
From: Chicago South Suburbs
Thanks for the tips Gents, I've done shocks and coils before on other cars so this should not be to hard of a job. I will be using a lift also!
I am going to change out my bushings when I do the shocks, not looking forward to that as it will be a PITA any way I look at it! Replacing bushings just plain old sucks, but should make a nice improvement!
I am going to change out my bushings when I do the shocks, not looking forward to that as it will be a PITA any way I look at it! Replacing bushings just plain old sucks, but should make a nice improvement!
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 13,760
Likes: 75
From: Haymarket VA
I put two different sets on my C5.
Make the alignment of everything before you take it apart and be careful to keep track of what shims go where and put everything back in the exact same position. You'll at least be able to drive it to the alignment shop without scrubbing your tires too much.
Make the alignment of everything before you take it apart and be careful to keep track of what shims go where and put everything back in the exact same position. You'll at least be able to drive it to the alignment shop without scrubbing your tires too much.
Pro
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 606
Likes: 3
From: Long Island
The devil is definitely in the details when it comes to ride height. I have pages of notes where I scribbled down each corner's height. Finally got it where I'm happy with it. No use aligning it until your ride height is on the money.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 3,724
Likes: 9
You can always download our instructions as a guide : http://pfadtracing.com/c5_corvette_installation.html
Pfadt Race Engineering
888-972-2464
info@pfadtracing.com
Pfadt Race Engineering
888-972-2464
info@pfadtracing.com
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 3,163
Likes: 6
From: Oceanside California
Did mine on jack stands. The hardest part is getting the leaf springs out. The control arms need to be way "WAY" down to relieve enough pressure to slide them out. Don't mess around, jack the car up as high as possible. You will need all the space you can get.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 1,720
Likes: 38
From: Colorado
leaf springs were by far the worst part. i probably mangled mine beyond the point of wanting to re-use them. one side just WOULD NOT come off the stupid bolt. i was close to using a saws all, but figured with unsprung weight and a large jagged blade, maybe i shouldnt chance that.