Ground Control Coilovers

[benjpi]

Just finished installing GC coilovers on the car, but wasn't happy that the springs go totally loose (like 2" of gap between spring & perch) when the shock is at full extension.

Is that typical for GC coilovers? I'm worried what the suspension will do when the suspension has to droop, like over a sharp rise in the road.

Also, has anyone tried installing Eibach helper springs & separators to keep that from happening?

 

[MikeBlueP5]

It is normal for them to do it. I have had mine for years, i think that was actually my first mod back in 02. I havent had any problems with them yet and my car has actually never had an alignment. I have no uneven tire wear or negative camber or anything. Some members that were concerned like you did zip tie the springs to the perches so it would stretch when the shock is fully extended. But unless you jump your car where the shock will need to be fully extended you wont have any problems. Also in conditions like you were talking about your swaybars will help as long as the opposing wheel is on the ground still. Thats why if you take a turn where one wheel has more suspension travel than the rest (entering uphill driveways and such) it will teter off the ground like a go kart would.

 

[benjpi]

Thanks. I've hunted around on other car sites too, and it does seem to be common these setups.

I understand what you're saying about the wheel travel thing, but I still really don't like it. I might get Hypercoil helper springs & spacers to get rid of the issue, but I'm a little pissed at Ground Control for not selling them with helpers anyway.

 

[red95_240sx]

coil over sleeves are garbage...dont like em

 

[Scott]

To be honest, Ground Controls aren't truly coilovers. They are merely adjustable springs. I've got them on my Honda right now paired with Koni Yellows. I like the fact that you could order them in any combination of spring rates desired, and they are fairly cheap. But I don't think I'd buy them again.

Anyway, mine don't have that gap. But they do make an awful lot of noise when they're lowered way down.

 

[benjpi]

Well, I guess "true coilover" is a matter of interpretation. Anyhoo, the QUALITY of the product is less than I expected. I could have gotten cheap coilover sleeves from Ebay and gotten the same gratifying "who the hell designed this crap" experience as I did from parting with over $300 of hard earned money.

It doesn't seem like there's a lot of detail effort (helper springs / spacer / better lower seat securing method) that would put these into a viable product category. I'm more annoyed that in order to get the results that I expect, I'll have to spend MORE money on helpers & spacers, AND devise a better method for securing the lower sleeve perches. I'm tempted to epoxy them in place, but I might want the sleeves for a future project (Koni 8610's in stock housings)

 

[njaremka]

the proper way to set those up, which i am going to assume you didn't do, is the adjust the collars so that the spring has just enough tension on it to prevent it from coming loose at full droop of the suspension - then adjust your ride height UP from there, not down.

 

[benjpi]

Nik, I have the coils setup with almost no drop, they're practically at the top of the sleeves (3 turns in front, 2 in back). The gap when the shock is on the ground (rod fully extended by gas pressure inside shock) between the top of the spring & the perch is still about 2" both front and back.

There is NO way to do what you suggest with the GC parts. The springs are just not long enough to do that.

 

[njaremka]

have you tried contacting ground control? maybe they "accidentally" sent you the wrong springs

 

[pluto316]

have you tried contacting ground control? maybe they "accidentally" sent you the wrong springs

Mine do the same thing on my Miata, that's just how they are when you drop them all the way.

 

[benjpi]

Unfortunately longer springs would just put the car in 4x4 mode: a 2" longer spring would solve the gap issue, but the spring would only compress the same as the shorter spring (assuming the same rates) and the car would just sit 2" higher all around. Not really the look I'd be going for. I guess I really need shorter shocks, but THOSE are expensive. I will contact Ground Control, but I'm not expecting much.