Over ten years ago I installed a set of JIC coilovers and was not thrilled with them but just lived with them until one failed recently.

After riding with a couple of people I felt the Bilstein units had the right spring rates, damping and price for my current street use so I ordered them. When into the install I found that the Bilstein springs are slightly bigger in diameter and did not fit into the JIC upper mounts properly and my old OEM mounts are long gone. Needing the car I used what I had but now it is clear the springs are not properly seated.

The choices to fix going forward (yes, I am driving it as is) is spend over a hundred on OEM mounts and attempt to pull apart what I have or save my pennies to buy something else (not really in the budget for a car almost eighteen years old).

Anyone have experience or tips on getting the self-locking nut off a Bilstein shaft? I am not sure I can do it without damage. If I pitched them is there a moderate coilover set that includes upper spring mounts?

Another alternative? I am too deep with time, money, and frustration to trust I am seeing this clearly.

 

Why didn't you just get used top hats on ebay or something, they're metal reinforced, they're practically indestructible.

 

Had the have the car by Monday morning so went forward. Yes, a different decision would have worked better but now need to climb out of my hole.

 

So...whats to prevent you from buying used stock tophats now?

Or a polyurethane spring centering/spacer donut from summit if you feel that the spring moving about is the only issue.

Do fix it, though. Or you'll get excess shock shaft side load, resulting in accelerated wear from the shocks.

 

Thanks for the comments. I was able to negotiate car use and garage space to pull them out and see how hard it is to get the shaft nut off (my initial worry) but unloading the springs and using an impact spun off the lock nut. So I ordered the top hats (tire rack cheapest) and think the jic bushings should handle side loads.

I know this was a silly post but sometimes I need to vocalize and take time and feedback to get a plan in place.

 

i hate when my mind gets all wacky like that. i find a victim and talk their ears off until the solution becomes clear to me.

 

https://www.s2ki.com/forums/member-s...rings-1169318/

 

You are over thinking this. Used tophats or spacer adapter. Impact gun, even electric, will get the nut off.

you can do this.

 

Fully recovered and happy with the results. Like I posted earlier new top hats from Tire Rack are cheaper than most used and come with free two day shipping. The left over JIC parts and a few washers from around the garage completed the install. My concern about removing the lock nuts was not needed. Just a lot of time and work to do the job again, but the ride and performance is good.

 

Sweet.

​​​​​​​nice work!