5 Tips For Coilover Adjustment and Installation

[@HumbleMechanic]

Thanks for watching! If you dig the video, feel free to share it. You can also subscribe to never miss a new video ~ kzbin.info

[@brandoncoyaso9053]

HumbleMechanic hey man I can’t find coilovers for my 2003 beetle

[@matarochas8410]

HumbleMechanic 1 bullshit shocks ahahahaha

[@redbaron2448]

Which way do you turn the coil over to raise the car to the right or turning to the left

[@theadventuresofjavier8698]

Bloody hell HM. The use of the 02 sensor tool is genius. Goes to show you that even after 30+ years in the field you learn something new everyday. Cheers

[@darrenmicklewright2008]

I used a spark plug socket with some grips to turn it and a allen key through the centre to stop the strut spinning, why buy a tool your never gonna use again when you have tools in your box which do the same job

[@braddowns17]

Torque wrench? Damn I just went and got my muscles calibrated. Oh well back to the torque wrench.

[@HumbleMechanic]

I hope you had a coupon... ;)

[@hp6r]

Awesome vid. When the alignment is made after lowering the car should they follow factory spec measurement? For a MK3 wlth H&R Sport Springs what would you suggest ? Thanks !

[@FiglioBastardo]

I've got those same rims and want to replace them as they've been chewed up on the edges. Thanks got the tips. I'll re-measure the corners tomorrow as I just got done putting in the rear coilovers.

[@geruner]

excellent fyi tutorial for general knowledge for any even my 30 year old... should be sent to professionals

[@Motorsportsgeek]

i use battery terminal spray ( red stuff, pretty thick ) on the threads and a lot of other things before winter and it holds all winters with minimal build up, I've had great success with it.

[@HumbleMechanic]

That is an interesting one. I bet it works great.

[@dentpulla]

Great video.showed everything you need to do and not just thre install.

[@xxcowboyjamxx]

Gr8 video Sir. I love the fact that we can share knowledge and gain knowledge. You mentioned things in this video with wisdom and insight .

[@finnice]

I've learned the hard way how important good coil overs are; my first mk4 golf wallowed about like a Cadillac and I thought some cheap lowering springs would fix it but of course they fatigued in 10k miles and I basically rides on the bump stops now. I've got a e46 BMW with some good coil overs on it and it turns and rides like nothing else I've experienced 🚗💨

[@HumbleMechanic]

Man I hear ya. Poor ride quality is not something I am into.

[@finnice]

Yep it's embarrassing!

[@RWarrior777]

@@HumbleMechanic hey there Humble. I have a Toyota Camry 2015. And can you suggest a good suspension for a smooth ride and not bumpy. Thanks brother

[@IAMJAKETRIMBLE]

Solid tips... I neglected to check brake hose clearance on my first ever install and damn near blew a hose on my first test drive.

[@HumbleMechanic]

Ouch

[@Comech64]

I am SO jealous of your GTI. It's so beautiful!

[@HumbleMechanic]

Thanks. She is pretty awesome. :)

[@shawnlazureth]

What is a proper lubrication to use for the bushings and pillowball mounts?

[@jhuntosgarage]

Who's bright idea was it to come up with TTY bolts? Is there any benefit vs. The normal bolts that have been used forever?

[@ukkomies100]

J. Hunto's Garage i dont know but i assume the prestressed metal of the bolt pressed itself against what ever it is bolted to and it will not come loose or something like that

[@jhuntosgarage]

Great video. Did you say the old suspension components are going to be recycled? I've often wondered about that rather than sending them out with the trash to the dump.

[@therealderjett]

I was wondering if you can do a video on corner balancing or if you have already done one? I have an 02 vr6 Jetta that I am thinking about using on track at Mid Ohio. Thanks for all of the great videos.

[@HumbleMechanic]

I have the footage and will be putting a video together on it. For the good or bad we didn’t actually have to adjust it. My measure method got it almost dead on

[@therealderjett]

Thanks. I'm always look forward to seeing your videos.

[@trancemiro]

As always, quality video with great info!

[@HumbleMechanic]

Thank you

[@patw52pb1]

Thank you and all those involved in the content, efforts and production of this channel. Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and Happy New Year to all. May the new year bring you, your families and friends much health, wealth, happiness, safety, security, appreciation, respect and peace.

[@lesedimotsemme]

Great video. I was not aware there's more to consider besides wheel alignment.

[@mheitchue]

What about preload for the springs? The shop mashed my cushion springs so they are like spacers. Said they needed to for the modest drop. They adjusted the coil position from the bottom too. Do you know where I can find more technical info about ALL of the adjustment points on a coilover? Cheers

[@groartigsentimientosdegerc7051]

Im having a problem in the rear where the bolt is hard to slide in to the bottom of the shock because of the gas tank is in the way. 😒😤 i know i can do it buy loosening the top of the shock. Im just wondering if there is an easier way?

[@StraubelFilms]

Where did you get that big tub of grease for the poly bushings? And what kind of grease is it? I’ve always used the supplied lube, but it would be nice to have extra so I don’t have to use it so sparingly.

[@HumbleMechanic]

It's the same lube as the supplied tiny packs. ~ amzn.to/2CYpLsx

[@StraubelFilms]

HumbleMechanic fantastic! Thanks man. Love the channel. Keep it up!

[@segrimsjinn]

Charles, would a heavy guy want to take the opportunity to adjust for the load he induces so the car rides true/level under load, epecially in a small car where the driver is more than 10% of weight of car?

[@HumbleMechanic]

You absolutely need to take driver weight into account. When you're doing the initial adjustment, you can't really take that in to account. You are making adjustments with the vehicle off the ground, or in the lucky cases, you can make the adjustment with the car on the ground, and wheels on. You may notice that I showed the weights in the seat.. This is to simulate my weight of ~ 150lb. But that was for the corner balance part. If driver weight throws that balance of 49/51 off then yes you would adjust accordingly. In all the years(15 or so) I have been aligning cars, I have had 1 car that we had the driver sit in to align. If you find a good alignment shop, it would be interesting to see if they would align the car with out you in it, then WITH you in the driver seat. My guess is, you'd see a change in alignment, but probably not enough to really do much about.

[@braddowns17]

HumbleMechanic I've never had to align a vehicle with a driver in the driver's seat. Though I have had to replace a few driver's seats because of the driver in the seat. After her fourth one she was getting pretty ticked off so I had to explain very nicely why they kept breaking and that she just needed a bigger car with a stronger seat. She actually thanked me and promptly went up to the sales department and bought a new town car.

[@abidqasem1334]

Hi man , it was very nice to see the GTI getting its coilover .out of context ,Let me suggest you to discuss DSG proper usage (driver) , and 3 cyliders ECO TSI engines , how they do in terms of reliaility ad durability , good luck and thanks for this informative episode

[@kevint3637]

Hi expert, I have a question for you. I have a tanabe system pro( purple) on my Honda gd3. I am wondering if you have any idea that how can I adjust the height of it. Thank you very much!

[@ilsaccente]

What is that bushing press thing? I’m doing poly bushings now and I’ll try anything if it makes this easier.

[@joecarpenter2879]

I was wondering if there is any benefit to having the front of a fwd car lower then the back or if ride hight should always be even?

[@sendtacos1824]

If you do that you’re prone to oversteer

[@Dezzylyricz]

What's a great height for a daily driver, cross over SUV. To help in lowering the center of gravity without removing driving ablity

[@zechariahkress3741]

For alignment, Firestone offers a lifetime (its truly for the life of you owning that car) for just over $200. I get mine done 2x a year and can't recommend it enough, especially if going to coilovers

[@HumbleMechanic]

Do they do corner balances?

[@zechariahkress3741]

@@HumbleMechanic Don't know, never had one done

[@dirty30love]

Where'd you get your alignment at? It looks like Performance Chassis in Cary.

[@HumbleMechanic]

That’s exactly where! I’ll be doing a video going more in-depth on alignments and corner balancing. This was just a perfect place to use the footage. Those guys over there are great. One of my old techs works there now.

[@mattm9621]

Awesome vid im saving up for coilovers myself. I like the idea of replacing all the hardware, i didnt even think to update as well. But where do you find the hardware is it OEM or just local auto parts store stuff?

[@HumbleMechanic]

I really like to get OEM hardware. I worry that getting hardware from the local store, people may not get the right stuff.

[@goodxrvn2053]

Thank you for the great videos! I am trying to decode the color markings on springs for a B7 Passat. The Passat I own has a single white mark on the rear springs. I'd like to replace the struts and shocks with Bilstein B6 units and at the same time replace the springs with the springs with the highest spring rate while maintaining stock height or a little higher, OEM from VW. In Europe there was a rough road kit with 1BB springs. The European Passat is a completely different car now, B8 and modular chassis, so I am not sure the Euro Spec springs for the Passat will work on the US spec B7 Passat. Can you steer me towards a guide that will explain the color coding and spring rates for VW OEM springs for the B7? Joe

[@shaunsmith1825]

1:50 "special socket to counterhold." or use a ring spanner.

[@rogerrameriez8912]

Do you recommend new upper control arms for lowered applications?

[@jeremywhittler8591]

I haven't driven my VR swap and my Meyle HD's are sagging about 3/4". Try the OEM VR mount.

[@jeffk464]

i have a crazy question, can you adjust these coilovers so they actually have a softer ride than a stock GTI?

[@HumbleMechanic]

These, no... But many you can. These are just a touch more firm than OEM

[@jeffk464]

cool thanks for the reply

[@gmans7859]

Thank You! gathering intel on my sons new (used) MK6 GTI

[@finesse1570]

Do you need an alignment after like a small lowering or raising?

[@HumbleMechanic]

It’s almost always worth it.

[@finesse1570]

@@HumbleMechanic so I’ve lowered my car this week and it’s making some clunk noises. Do you think an alignment will fix it or should I figure out what that noise is first and then go alignment it?

[@maveric0738]

Strut mount bushings are definitely known to be blown on MKIV’s. Especially on MKIV R32’s!!

[@suj1945]

Also, very clever using a deep 36mm socket as a receiving cup for the small bushing on the wishbone :)

[@HumbleMechanic]

:)

[@welileboysie1587]

i have a another question. my polo 9n3 1.6L 16V has 256mm front vented disc brakes and drum brakes at the back.. since i will b modifing my engine later.. i wanted to upgrade my brakes first. i was thinking of 2 options. The POLO GTI 9n3 288mm vented brake discs in front and 232mm rear solid brake discs. 2nd option the golf 4/5 280mm vented brake disc and 255mm rear solid brake discs. which one will you recomend, also taking into account the piston diameter of the calipers.. Because now stock the stopping power of the brakes is poor at high speeds.. and in high temperature the drum brake can make a noise.

[@joshuaward692]

I installed a 2" Koni lift kit on my 2013 Sportwagen. My local alignment shop said their was no caster adjustment. I am at 6.3 and 6.7 degrees positive caster. Can the dealer fix something like this? I wanted to know your opinion before I shell out another 200 on them just to look at it.

[@HumbleMechanic]

No factory adjustment. :(

[@Tigerfire75]

Aren't McPherson struts coilovers?

[@njegos]

Should of gotten the power flex purple strut mounts, theHD strut mounts from meyle always drop down when you hack the car up

[@HumbleMechanic]

Maybe next go around

[@Mrizing]

quick question, How do I get the air bubbles out of a 2008 passat 2.0t? I cant find the bleed screw or anything like that. I flushed my heater core now need to bleed the system. Thanks for the help.

[@HumbleMechanic]

Bring the front of the car up a little and run it with the heat on. 👍

[@jorgedominguez2256]

Can you have a vvl camshaft and a vvt camshaft. just wondoring. vvl on exaust and vvt on intake cam.

[@welileboysie1587]

hi. i have a polo 9n3.. on the car manual its stated front axel load 860kg and rear axel load 820kg.. i bought eibach prokit springs. But when i installed them the rear of the droped about 1inch but my front stayed in the same possition. please advise?

[@natangonambala1043]

Hey charles, i just re did my whole suspension, now m on the next step to buy wheels and coilovers, what do you think, do i buy the wheels first or coilovers? ;)

[@HumbleMechanic]

Either one is fine. Look at the goals for the suspension. Do you only want it to look cool with the wheels, or are you building for performance? Maybe a mix? If you want performance only you’ll not be nearly as low as you might think. You can always adjust the height to the wheels if you want.

[@natangonambala1043]

Thanks Charles. Actually going for the look cool. Mk1 Golf. later maybe in 2 years then do a VR6 swap.

[@gray_vz4535]

Hello, new to the channel here, so I have a question. Pretty much by being that careful and specific with the measurements when installing your coilovers you should be fairly close to that 50-50 in corner balance right? I don’t think of taking my car to the track anytime soon, but I would like to be fairly close to that balance since I do quite a bit of spirited driving and do push my car sometimes specially in turns.

[@nickamarit]

Caster L3.6 R2.8... Isnt that a bit too much cross caster?

[@ibo1137]

Great informative video!

[@ningning57]

Mine are scrubbing on the plastic wheelwell and shocksprings

[@fernandogaleas9172]

Where can I get Lower bushing for coilovers?

[@j.m.5995]

Merry Christmas and Happy New year, Charles

[@HumbleMechanic]

Merry Christmas Juan!

[@savvasalexandridis7792]

Charles I need your help. My coilovers come with a 33 way adjustable dampening settings. My question is after I install them should I set the dampening to all the way soft until the coilovers settle? My mentor suggested it to me so the seals on the coilovers don't blow because the suspension hasn't been compressed and oil has never travel through the strut. He said after a 2 days of driving (because our roads here in Greece are horrible) on all the way soft and oil has travelled to the hole length of the shock then i should adjust the dampening I prefer. Should I follow his instructions or set the dampening to my preference right after I install them?

[@HumbleMechanic]

His advice seems legit. What is his experience with those coil overs? I would say it probably doesn't really matter. IF I Was doing it, I would set them in the middle and call it a day. But I don't think you can really do it wrong. What about the recommendation from the coilover manuf? If there was a proper way to break them in, I would think they would tell you

[@savvasalexandridis7792]

HumbleMechanic My mentor doesn't have experience with the particular coilovers but he does have experience with coilovers he helped me set up my dad's coilovers on his 02 focus mk1 rs and we installed coilovers on his e36 bmw. I e-mailed the company that I bought the coilovers (yellowspeed ) and they told me there is no need to set to all the way soft. So I will probably follow your advice. Set them to middle and work my way to where I want them as they settle. Thank you very much for your advice and I can't wait to see repairs on the r32

[@ravenstylea2]

Could you reuse the oem strut mount and bearing with only 1k on the car?

[@HumbleMechanic]

Yea I probably would

[@Motorsportsgeek]

8:44, I knew you hit that ganja ;)

[@HumbleMechanic]

LOL, that was a happy accident.

[@antonioarreguin8174]

Yes

[@elicampshure7589]

If this comment wasn’t here I was gonna post it

[@kevedwards]

Why did I miss?😂

[@UnfocusedRacing]

Awesome video! I get questions like this all the time on the Focus ST forums. So I figured I'd share the video.

[@HumbleMechanic]

Thank you! Glad it can help

[@tmo_ls3895]

Great video!

[@suj1945]

Never realised the Mk3 had/supports proper COIL-OVER suspension at the rear unlike the Mk4 which has the spring sitting separately from the damper.

[@Chris-qe6qr]

My 2019 GTI has the same design as yours. A bit of a bummer but at least it makes changing out the rear springs a lot easier

[@darren9819]

Love the video always informative! Whats YOUR opinion on air ride suspension?

[@HumbleMechanic]

Similar to coil overs. Good setups are expensive. Crappy ones are crappy

[@ningning57]

What wheel and tire size on the I have 215 55r 16 on mine that what is on the car when I bought it

[@HumbleMechanic]

I have 205/45/17

[@andrewpaige9152]

Thank you 🙏

[@tedbear631]

quality as always

[@kevinsteeno3726]

Links for the tool? I don't see it in the description.

[@HumbleMechanic]

Strut nut 22mm ~ amzn.to/2BxHuuA There are a few different ones, this would be the right one for the Gti.

[@fuenteskevin72]

Reverse donuts?

[@alexc.331]

Love your video, keeg doing them!!

[@HumbleMechanic]

Thank you!

[@carbon310]

anyone ave some imput on pwrhouse vs fk vs ecs vs function n form coilovers?

[@4bvenom733]

How tight do I have to tighten the 21 bolt

[@ethiopianeyes]

44lbs

[@rizrz34]

C'mon Charles, you gotta give us those fly by videos without any noise over it so we can hear the car! It sounds nasty.

[@HumbleMechanic]

:P I got a buddy coming over in a week or 2 that will be helping me film a proper flyby. This one was spur of the moment.

[@jrkaz6070]

Hey Humble.,Happy Thanksgiving to you and your beloved dub!!!!

[@HumbleMechanic]

Thank you so much. You too!!!

[@baddonkey6876]

I don't use anti-seize on set-screws, thats a screw you really dont want backing out

[@themrkeebler2]

PLEASE HELP ! Can you lower a mk5 gli/GTI without messing up the engineering?

[@stevenpena9570]

Love the fat fives, I have those on my mk4 gti 1.8t. I plastidiped mine black though lol

[@HumbleMechanic]

I am gonna test fit them on the R32 :)

[@decaygrim8943]

Nice torque wrench.

[@jossspicer4534]

But you are lowering it with the spring preload?! Does noone else have a problem with this?

[@aubreybush5287]

She's lookin good Charles !

[@mrjason9382]

Nice

[@Sparky-2036]

I've done more ATV and UTV shocks than I can count, but the process is very similar to this.

[@HumbleMechanic]

NICE!

[@Sparky-2036]

HumbleMechanic Count yourself lucky you've never had to work on some of that off-road stuff. I've seen pieces of 2x4 shoved into springs to "stiffen" the ride...

[@ukkomies100]

I assume these are perfectly street legal or do you have to do some tricks

[@AaronAnonymous]

I’d always thought that string alignment when done properly is better than most computer alignments. Looking forward to the corner balancing and how it affects handling.

[@HumbleMechanic]

I think when done properly it can be very good. The key factor in both is the person performing the alignment.

[@2_2_4_3]

That one loner unlike... He must've been mad he didn't get coilovers for Xmas.

[@music9556]

most cars only have toe adjust anyway. no camber or caster

[@HumbleMechanic]

Yep. Luckily there are some aftermarket solutions for some cars. Others just eat tires. Lol

[@music9556]

i have a 03 sunfire just bought it. the front struts are new. although its probably normal it feels kinda high on th front end as i drive it. but it also feels like the wheels are riding with a positive camber. so what i would like to do is use adjustable struts to put a slight negative camber on the front wheels. can this be achieved with adjustable struts or do they just lower the body?

[@michaels5800]

Dat time @8:44 ( ✧≖ ͜ʖ≖)

[@HumbleMechanic]

Hahahahha

[@mrjason9382]

Like

[@dizzard111]

Zero adjustment information

[@hoeirizarry2494]

How wide can I go on my tires on my VR6