The Better Bilstein Ebay Coilover Thread
#141
The shock bodies are 50mm (at least mine measure that) .
The metric collars are more expensive by a few bucks each than using the next smaller or next bigger "inch" size.
I'd use the 50mm so as not to deform the body. But that's me.
Or, if you disassemble everything you could use a non split collar for less and slide the collar on and tighten it.
The metric collars are more expensive by a few bucks each than using the next smaller or next bigger "inch" size.
I'd use the 50mm so as not to deform the body. But that's me.
Or, if you disassemble everything you could use a non split collar for less and slide the collar on and tighten it.
#142
The shock bodies are 50mm (at least mine measure that) .
The metric collars are more expensive by a few bucks each than using the next smaller or next bigger "inch" size.
I'd use the 50mm so as not to deform the body. But that's me.
Or, if you disassemble everything you could use a non split collar for less and slide the collar on and tighten it.
The metric collars are more expensive by a few bucks each than using the next smaller or next bigger "inch" size.
I'd use the 50mm so as not to deform the body. But that's me.
Or, if you disassemble everything you could use a non split collar for less and slide the collar on and tighten it.
My shock bodies are also 50mm and my sleeves came out to 52mm. Ill see what the clips come out to when I put them on tomorrow. The one piece collar you mentioned is even more money than the split collar at Mc MasterCarr. I might do the split in aluminum unless I find some obx sleeves or a 50-51mm sleeve option.
#143
My shock bodies are also 50mm and my sleeves came out to 52mm. Ill see what the clips come out to when I put them on tomorrow. The one piece collar you mentioned is even more money than the split collar at Mc MasterCarr. I might do the split in aluminum unless I find some obx sleeves or a 50-51mm sleeve option.
You mentioned using an inner tube to fill the space. Most use a wrap of duct tape (I remember mine took 1-1/2 turns to be firm when installing the sleeves). Wonder if the rubber tube let the sleeve move enough to the side to move out on the clip and tip it out of the groove? Who knows?
Good luck.
#145
EDIT #1: The sleeves I used are 51.3 ID and are round within 0.01 . The shock clips, installed, measure 53.34 OD
If you want a clip with a little more cross section to support the sleeve better you might get the Rotorclip #CBS-50 which will give you a 4.04 cross section vs 2.0 on the OEM (you'll have more support under the sleeve) and it will still fit in the existing groove.
Link to product page: https://www.rotorclip.com/cat_pdfs/cbs.pdf
EDIT #2: I talked to Rotorclip and even though the product is listed in the catalog they've not made it because of low demand but I'll leave the link for dimensional purposes anyway. I guess this is going to consume some time now because I'm curious on a solution.
EDIT #3: This item from Prospect Fasteners is a duplicate (although dimensioned in inches) but I haven't located a reseller for low quantities yet: http://www.prospectfastener.com/1-96...ations/xan196/. They will send you samples (6pc) but you'll need to have a UPS account for shipping. I'll look for a reseller.
You can google "DIN 5417 Constant Section External Ring" and maybe find other suppliers.
Hope that helps you out.
Last edited by bahurd; 06-08-2014 at 12:11 PM.
#146
I contacted rotoclip about getting part# MSH-50. They didn't have that so they sent me SH-196. Once I got it in the groove it felt really solid and I couldn't get it to budge with my hands. Here's a pic of the smallest part:
I'll report back once I get it installed. I hope it works out, they sent me 100 of them lol.
EDIT: They held up for a quick drive around the block. Once I get the rears done I'll push it a little harder.
I'll report back once I get it installed. I hope it works out, they sent me 100 of them lol.
EDIT: They held up for a quick drive around the block. Once I get the rears done I'll push it a little harder.
Last edited by shellshox345; 06-08-2014 at 07:10 PM.
#147
I think maybe i just need to try another sleeve because the current ones i have aren't exactly tight on the shock body. I used a bike inner tube to hold them snug. They did a couple track days and maybe 10k miles of driving with me. Then i sold the car and now 3 years later i bought them back for my new miata and after 2 days of driving on them i hit a pot hole that caused my sleeve to pop the snap ring out and let the sleeve bottom out.
What length springs are you running in the rear? I ran 250lb/in 7" springs in the rear for a while and managed to pop half of a circlip out of the groove. The ride was crappy and I never could figuire out why. I finally noticed that the springs were binding under full compression and no matter what top hat I used or how high I adjusted the ride height, the spring would bind up and transfer a shitload of force to that little circlip. The bumpstop was not allowed to compress fully and reduce the impact. I have since moved up to 8" long 300lb/in rear springs and have not had any issues. I have also used 9" 180lb/in sucessfully in the rear on a milder setup.
After checking all my other springs I noticed I was even getting coil bind on my original 400lb/in 6" front springs. I swapped to 550lb/in 7" springs and no issues up front.
The easy way to check is to apply a paint marker line on the surface between a few of the spring coils. Go for a ride on a rough road and check the markings. If your paint marker has rubbed off on the top of the spring coild you have an indication that the coils are toutching and that bad things are happening.
#149
they are the same sleeves as posted earlier, which are the same ones as the all-star sleeves.
http://www.summitracing.com/search/p...l-over-sleeves
probably cheaper if you shop around. Also only get the parts you plan to use (probably the sleeve and perch, maybe you want the spring locator too)
http://www.summitracing.com/search/p...l-over-sleeves
probably cheaper if you shop around. Also only get the parts you plan to use (probably the sleeve and perch, maybe you want the spring locator too)
#150
Tonight I made some final adjustments to my setup so *fingers crossed* I'm done with this project for this iteration. Here are my notes:
Setup:
NB Aftermarket Sports
400/300 7" QA1 springs
Silver honda ebay collars/sleeves
Spring isolator that came with the kit
QA1 Thrust bearings
Summit Bump Stops cut to ~36mm
Ride height: 12.5"f/13"r
Impressions:
+MUCH better handling, the car feels flatter in turns and responds quicker. I need to get to an AutoX to see how it feels when driven hard
+Improved acceleration
+Looks better now that it's lower
=Ride is definitely bouncier but nowhere near uncomfortable. No complaints from the wife
-I feel like I should have got 6" springs. To get my height the rears are spun so the bottom collar is at the very bottom of the sleeve and the fronts have 3 threads showing. There's no way I could get the 12"f/12.5"r without removing the bottom collar on the rears.
-One of my snap rings popped off when I first tried to install, luckily I got 100 free replacements from rotoclip that have held up just fine over all sorts of terrain.
-Now I want to see how good the setup will drive with stiffer springs, re-valved shocks, and a bigger swaybar. I don't have the money for any of those things...
Overall I'd say I'm pleased with this mod. The car feels more like a sports car and the whole thing cost less than $500. I'll post a picture of the ride height tomorrow.
Setup:
NB Aftermarket Sports
400/300 7" QA1 springs
Silver honda ebay collars/sleeves
Spring isolator that came with the kit
QA1 Thrust bearings
Summit Bump Stops cut to ~36mm
Ride height: 12.5"f/13"r
Impressions:
+MUCH better handling, the car feels flatter in turns and responds quicker. I need to get to an AutoX to see how it feels when driven hard
+Improved acceleration
+Looks better now that it's lower
=Ride is definitely bouncier but nowhere near uncomfortable. No complaints from the wife
-I feel like I should have got 6" springs. To get my height the rears are spun so the bottom collar is at the very bottom of the sleeve and the fronts have 3 threads showing. There's no way I could get the 12"f/12.5"r without removing the bottom collar on the rears.
-One of my snap rings popped off when I first tried to install, luckily I got 100 free replacements from rotoclip that have held up just fine over all sorts of terrain.
-Now I want to see how good the setup will drive with stiffer springs, re-valved shocks, and a bigger swaybar. I don't have the money for any of those things...
Overall I'd say I'm pleased with this mod. The car feels more like a sports car and the whole thing cost less than $500. I'll post a picture of the ride height tomorrow.
#152
I feel bad.
Buddy of mine just built a set on my recommendation for his 93 LE, removed some ****-tastic Ricelands.
He has NB Billies, NB top hats, Ebay sleeves and 400/300 springs.
This happened to him within 50 miles of driving. On two shocks.
Sleeves fit as snugly as normal, i can't find any other real reason for it. Does he just need some big nasty Rotoclips?
Buddy of mine just built a set on my recommendation for his 93 LE, removed some ****-tastic Ricelands.
He has NB Billies, NB top hats, Ebay sleeves and 400/300 springs.
This happened to him within 50 miles of driving. On two shocks.
Sleeves fit as snugly as normal, i can't find any other real reason for it. Does he just need some big nasty Rotoclips?
#155
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Did you tape the shock bodies to keep the adjusters centered and from putting undue stress on any one portion of the circlips?
Is it remotely possible he got spring bind (because that could do it)?
Is it remotely possible he got spring bind (because that could do it)?
#157
I still have a feeling this is caused by springs either binding or loose at full droop. If it holds the weight of the car with you sitting on one corner, it should hold any load that spring perch would reasonably see in daily driving. There's got to be a shock load involved somewhere.
Spring bind is possible.... but i highly doubt it. This is a light car on the street wearing probably all season tires.
Don't think this is happening.
Although.... i did just learn that he forgot bump stops, so... there's the impact, more than likely.