I would like to get these coilover pre-load questions answered before I install my own.

1) With coilovers that have an independent spring pre-load, how do you know what the "correct" pre-load is?

2) Is the pre-load something that is usually dialed in before, during or after people get their car corner weighted?

3) Is there a rule-of-thumb regarding the pre-load when you initially install the coilovers (eg. move pre-load perch to touch bottom of spring, and tighten plate by one more revolution)?

...or is pre-load just one of the things you have to fight with and adjust (with coilovers installed) over time, unless you have a Mueller or Robispec service done?

 

it has to be adjusted with the suspension installed.

if your doilovers are pre-assembled, just install it youself and then take it to the nearest alignment shop that does race cars.
get it corner weighted and they will adjust everything for you. ie, ride height and fore and aft weight distribution. including preload springs. nothing to worry about.

good luck and enjoy your new suspension.

 

-1 even if you buy your coilovers pre assembled you should check make sure they are even on each side, make sure all the purches are nice and tight and the spring is install right.

so to make sure the spring is not pre-loaded, example if you are assembling your coil overs you would want to install them from the bottom up so when the spring is in you install the purch and then the locking purch after it. here the important part when you get the spring to touch the top of the pillow mount give it 2 full turns then lock it down. this will give the spring a snug not to lose and not to tight. unless you want to pre load your suspension then i must have miss read your post.

Suspension Guru's some insight please

 

oh yeah one thing im Robispec

 

Thank guys! This is what I was looking to hear.

I am going to a shop to get corner weighted, but they said to set my ride height the way I wanted before I come in.

I wasn't looking to have a defined pre-load for my application. I just want everything snug and without some of the bounciness that some members have experienced from having their pre-load too loose.

The "two full turns" sounds like a good rule-of-thumb, but does this vary from coilover to coiolover? vary based on spring rate?

btw awesome responses!!!

 

Man what a can of worms....short answer is with ride height adjustable coilovers run with a very light preload...but it is all spring rate and ride height dependant...this is just an experiance and testing question...(thats the long answer)...