Valkyrie

[Preloader]

Unless I'm rebuilding an engine. I never use a torque wrench. But then again my tricep has become a highly calibrated instrument over the years.

Be sure to read over Danny5's spring how-to and soak it up. Pay special attention to the removal of the top nut on the front struts. It's the main obstacle for most. A socket, an Allen wrench and a monster pair of Vice pliers will get you around needing to make or buy a specialized tool for the task.

 

[Insanika]

I'm studying that post and deciding what questions I need to ask based upon that. Most of the writeups around here assume a certain level of knowledge that I'm not up to. I've got to look for the loops where I will need some explaining. I'll need to do some investigative poking.

For starters.. Anything missing from the tool list? Remember I have no idea what to anticipate for problems either.

On another note: lowered car potential problems.. I scrape going up my drive backward as is. In order to safely jack for the front springs I've got to back in. Then I've got to drive out even lower.

 

[Preloader]

The air dam scrapes, even mine did stock. It's because the front sticks out so far passed the center axis of the wheels. Now the underside of my bumper scrapes, but the good news is you never see it. And trust me, there is black plastic under my white paint. If I could see it on a regular basis, I wouldn't be able to live with it.

Another area ppl have trouble with is getting the strut to spindle bolts out. It takes some violent raps of a hammer to free them up. If you are unsure of your hammer skills you could buy a brass hammer that won't damage the threads. But I figure you have excellent marksmanship and should be fine.

Also getting the wipers off to remove the cowl has given some ppl issues. Mine seemed to come off easy. Again violence is key.

Other than that I don't think much other than a standard socket/wrench kit is needed. You will need jack stands. Small ones are great.

I do recommend starting with the more involved front. Once you get through it, the rear will be child's play.

 

[Thaifight-R]

The key with removing the wipers (after removing the nut) is to fold them up, and then pull them out.

Like Preloader said, just follow Danny5's thread.

The day I installed coilovers on my car (had to reuse the old tophat, so it was essentially as involved if not more involved than a simple lowering spring install) was the day I changed the oil on a car for the first time in my life.

If a n00b like me could do it, I'm sure you'll be fine.

 

[Insanika]

Found out last night that my Pa in law has some coil compressors. He's digging them out for me, hoping to do this install next week on a day off.

The Pa is a shadetree, but I don't often mention or ask him a lot because many of his fixes involve barn screws and corrugated roof tin. Lol. He is a man of many $500 cars, but was actually impressed with the Sonic.

Also after the last co-op bill, I'll be changing my own oil from here on out. Ugh!

 

[River_Rat]

Found out last night that my Pa in law has some coil compressors. He's digging them out for me, hoping to do this install next week on a day off.

The Pa is a shadetree, but I don't often mention or ask him a lot because many of his fixes involve barn screws and corrugated roof tin. Lol. He is a man of many $500 cars, but was actually impressed with the Sonic.

Also after the last co-op bill, I'll be changing my own oil from here on out. Ugh!

As has been mentioned before, you need the macpherson strut compressors, not the regular old coil compressors. that may or may not be what the "pa" has on hand. At any rate, auto parts stores rent them out for free if you need to go that route.

 

[Insanika]

As has been mentioned before, you need the macpherson strut compressors, not the regular old coil compressors. that may or may not be what the "pa" has on hand. At any rate, auto parts stores rent them out for free if you need to go that route.

Yeah, we'll see what he comes up with. Unless I get out of town beforehand.

 

[Insanika]

Some hot guy showed up to help me get this done

Photo shoot tomorrow when we get a bath couldn't wait to post a teaser shot though!

 

[Preloader]

Ermhagherd!!!! Ser merch bertter!!

I know you must be feeling pretty happy right now.

Other than the tune, this is the biggest and most effective mod you can do. Your life condition will have improved as a result. Flowers will blossom bigger. Food will taste better. Underwear will need to be washed more often.

 

[Insanika]

I feel all of the above. I love the look and I love the aggressive ride. I can see how it might not be for everyone though.

Can't wait for the road trip tomorrow to return the spring compressors lol.

 

[Insanika]

And my favorite angle:

 

[SouthFLSonic]

Sittin pretty. Cars looking great!! What's the next mod?????opcorn:

 

[Insanika]

Sittin pretty. Cars looking great!! What's the next mod?????opcorn:

Thanks!

What's the next mod? I guess I'll know when I see it opcorn:

Honestly, trying to plan them out has not worked for me. I have my wants and had the order I wanted them planned out, but then things just come up for good prices on these part-outs and I can't help myself! I have also re-populated my wishlist, it was looking a little emaciated.

For now, paint projects and hopefully some spacers and splash guards to accent my drop. (I think.)

 

[laborsmith]

Scary low!

Great look.

Spacers could be cool for the look.

Do not know of any splash guards for the RS and on my car I no longer see any reason for them.


Laborsmith

 

[Preloader]

The standard mud guards could be easily modified to fit the RS. Just a little patience with the dremel.

It may add a nice touch..... or the bug guard for the hood. I was worried mine was gonna be a bit overdone looking. But it has become one of my favorite accents. Gives the front a little sinister eyebrow attitude.

 

[Insanika]

Scary low!

Great look.

Spacers could be cool for the look.

Do not know of any splash guards for the RS and on my car I no longer see any reason for them.


Laborsmith

My area is so rural that I'm already starting to chew up the lower corners of my body kit that are behind the tires. Being lowered isn't going to help that and the spacers will fully exacerbate the problem. I won't do spacers without the guards in some fashion. I've even thought about trimming the rally ones into minis.

Our roads aren't properly paved for the majority. The main highway I travel to work is paved but there is a layer of tar and then a layer of gravel over that, think glorified gravel back road. The rest including town are patched with the shyttiest asphalt patch known to man. I was riding down the road the other day and hit a bad batch of the new stuff spilled all over the road for a mile before the actual patch. It slung all up the side of the car and I was livid. I can slow down for a patch I can see, not the mess way before it. I had to grip the wheel and shifter with resolve when I saw all of the trucks parked under a tree for lunch. I saw myself in my head hauling the guy out of the dump truck and dragging him through the mess.

So anyway...

Pre- that reminds me to add vent-shades to my want list!

 

[sonic24740]

not sure which vent shades you want.. but if you want the ones that go into the track get the weathertech ones.. as for the others they use double sided tape on the side of the door to attach

O and it looks great

 

[Insanika]

not sure which vent shades you want.. but if you want the ones that go into the track get the weathertech ones.. as for the others they use double sided tape on the side of the door to attach

O and it looks great

Thanks! Yeah the track kind. Not a fan of the stickumoutsides.

 

[Insanika]

We have a new sticker.. And she just looked purty today

 

[laborsmith]

A big ten four to the one four.


It's a go!



Laborsmith