scotty30

I will be putting some coilovers on my v5 next week ..is there a certain way of setting them up so they work properly?

Cheers

Turbo Tez

iTrader: (8)

Yes. Fit them yourself then take the car straight to a specialist for a proper 4 wheel alignment / geometry set up. Expect to pay between 80 - 150 quid. If you don't it will cost you a lot more replacing the tyres you'll reck.

Markyscoob

Well,

Firstly you need to unbolt the shocks and bolt on the Coilovers.

Before you fit them, loosen and coppaslip all the threads and then set them so each are paired and exactly the same lengths and preloads all equal.

Geometrically, it goes like this.

The back end is designed to increase negative camber as ride height lowers, this increases rear grip as load increases. (i.e. more grip to cope with three fat aunts in the back seats plus cases). All cars are like this. Also, as you corner and the car rolls, having the car increase neg camber on the outside (going up) will keep the actual camber change minimal, (i.e. 3' neg camber to balance 3' body roll).

The car should also slightly change toe under up and down movement for stability. This changess depending on car design though. you should expect it though.

The front is the fun part. Again expect Neg camber as you lower, also static castor will change and the roll centre drops on Macpherson cars as much as 4:1 so lowering 1" may drop roll centre 4"! Not good.

Toe Will change as this is desirable to provide stability under braking.

Once the coilovers are fitted, drive to a specialist and get a
proper four wheel full alignment done.

It's mad not to, as the car will be pointing in all directions, all bad!