Coil-over install problem

[LilTimmy]

I have a 2001 Accent GS and I just got these coil-overs from Sharkracing in:

http://sharkracing.com/acecart/bin/shop.cgi?action=view&itemID=coilovers_1_1_3&cate=0 10704000

If you look at the bottom of the spring there is a nut type thing(forgive my lack of terms) that adjusts the spring height. Well I have 17"X7" wheels on the car which isn't a problem with the stock supsension, but after I made the adjustmetns to the rear coils so the ride height is as low as I would like it. The inside of the tire rubbs that nut thing on the coil-over. I was orginally thinking a spacer plate but I don't have enough space between the tire and the fender to add a spacer. Then I was thinking maybe some negitive camber but I think I would hit the same problem. So the only solution I can come up with is the raise the car about a 1 3/4 inches but then the car will not look good. So I was wondering if anyone hit a simular problem or have heard of someone hitting a simular problem and if anyone had a soultion.

The front ones are okay I have about 1/2 inch between that nut and the tire. I am sure I did a horroriable job describing this problem so I am going to try to take some pictures tomarrow.

[tibby01]

my best suggestion...

dont try lowering your car so much with big wheels. you could try getting lower profile tires too.

[LilTimmy]

Thanks, I had a feeling that was the only solution. My tire are already pretty low profile, I think they are 205/40. The thing I am afraid of is I think a 16" and possible a 15" would hit the same problem if they are 7" wide.

[tdonnell]

man, I have 18x7" wheels with a 215/35/18 tire, if I run into this problem I am going to be super pissed! I will have to make steel brackets or something to space the lower strut mount farther away from the wheels. Then again, tibby01, you have lowered your car roughly 2-3", and have had no problems, so I think I will be okay. But I wanted to tuck the rims under the fenders (at least the tires). Do you think it will be possible to do so with the Ksports? The outer diameter of the tires on the 18's is only about a 1/4" taller than the stock setup, and I do not have wheel spacers anymore as I dispise them.

Thanks for any more help man.

[LilTimmy]

I have put coil-overs on about five different cars and I haven't seen this problem before. So you shouldn't have any problems.

[skierd]

You'll have the problem on the accent, esp in the rear, because the stock springs are much shorter than the coilover's. Because the coilover's springs sit so much lower, the overal width at the strut is wider hence the rubbing. Spacer+more camber is the only real option, or skinnier tires.

[ShockAndAwe]

So basically what you guys are saying is that I just spent almost a grand on the K-sports and they won't fit my car? I too have 17"x7" wheels. :depressed: :dead:

I just thought of something What if you were to cut the spring, then raise the spring perch to maintain preload. Would this provide enough clearance? How would this affect the ride, shouldn't a shorter spring of the same rate be softer (perhaps a benefit)? Is this even possible or would it cause problems keeping the spring on its perch?

[Edited by ShockAndAwe on Jul 20, 2005 6:33 PM]

[tdonnell]

Man, I am glad to hear that! Hopefully the install of the Ksports goes without a hitch!:

You could cut the spring, but that would worsen your ride quality tremendously. There would be much less length of spring, therefore much less spring to soak up the loads and shocks caused by normal day to day driving. I would say your car would bounce everywhere that way, and there would be a better chance of damaging the struts.:dead:

[skierd]

Well, the intelligent thing to do would be either buy shorter springs or use wheel spacers and adjust the alignment so the tires fit. God knows we could just reason things out... A 4mm spacer should be enough with 1-1.5 degrees of camber.

Also, its not a problem with the Ksports or with the wheels, its just a simple aftermarket part intereference. Shit can happen when you modify a car, regardless of popularity. Example, the majority of Miata intakes dont fit with the stock strut bar and require new mounts, usually not included. On some cars, aftermarket exhausts and bigger rear sway bars dont play nice with each other and can hit. Why? Because new aftermarket pieces are designed around stock components.

If you're really pissed off about the Ksports and dont feel like making your car handle, i'll take em once I get the cash. Hell, i'll even trade you my Apex Springs and OE struts as part of the deal (for some cash off of course) so you can fit your blingin' dope wheels.

[Accent95]

Very nice. How long did it take for shipping?