I'm looking to get these coilovers into the car, and I see that there is very little info on the top hats that people are doing w/ the struts, so I thought that Id look at it for a bit, and see what might come of it.
Here is what I have found.
I was wondering if I was going to be able to use the stock hardware for this install, and here is what I think. If I was able to cut the top of the coil spring kit hat that I received from Coleman, that this would be able to center the strut in the position that the stock strut was in. Strut rod centered in the:
As it sits now, you can see that the top of the "hat" is going to be forced upon the portion of the stock piece. Is this not a "not so hot" idea, as all the weight and stress is being placed upon such a small area that is going to be prone to breakage?
If you don’t modify the hat to sit around the stock part that has the bolts to which you hold the top of the strut, this is what you have to work w:
It seems that this is not a good way to allow the spring to be held into place, as there is a lot of possible movement due to the fact that there is no way to actually center the coil spring to the rod.
It seems that the same is true if you were to skip the small piece that is pulled off the stock suspension:
So, long short of it…would it be best to mod. the portion of the hat to have the stock part w/ the bolts on it to go over the extension, or just allow it to rest on the very top of the hat?
Thanx, --Allen
[This message has been edited by mcaanda (edited 07-08-2004).]
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12:52 AM
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fierohoho Member
Posts: 3494 From: Corner of No and Where Registered: Apr 2001
Hmm... I was wondering about this too. Right now I have the hats supplied by coleman on there. If this is going to be a problem, I'd like to get it corrected But at the same time, I think it looks fairly sturdy, so I don't know...
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12:59 PM
David Bartlett Member
Posts: 1090 From: Ancaster, Ontario, Canada Registered: Aug 2001
I'm using the hats provided by Coleman and it seems to be working fine. Do you guys have to place the collar resting on the bottom of the strut to get about three fingers worth of space between the wheels and the body? (350 Springs)
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08:13 PM
Doug Chase Member
Posts: 1487 From: Seattle area, Washington State, USA Registered: Sep 2001
As it sits now, you can see that the top of the "hat" is going to be forced upon the portion of the stock piece. Is this not a "not so hot" idea, as all the weight and stress is being placed upon such a small area that is going to be prone to breakage?
This is what I did on my rally car. My hat (from Ground Control) was flat on top instead of cone shaped, but I've put it through more abuse than any street car will ever see and nothing has deformed.
------------------ Doug Chase Chase Race Custom roll cage and exhaust fabrication
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08:31 PM
ryan.hess Member
Posts: 20784 From: Orlando, FL Registered: Dec 2002
how about cutting the point off of the hat, so that the thing on the fiero plate fits through the hole you now have on the hat? It might make it weaker though. I think I might try that. Thanks for all the pics and great info. -john
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10:41 AM
Will Member
Posts: 14303 From: Where you least expect me Registered: Jun 2000
Originally posted by mcaanda: If you don’t modify the hat to sit around the stock part that has the bolts to which you hold the top of the strut, this is what you have to work w:
It seems that this is not a good way to allow the spring to be held into place, as there is a lot of possible movement due to the fact that there is no way to actually center the coil spring to the rod.
It seems that the same is true if you were to skip the small piece that is pulled off the stock suspension:
I did it as pictured in the lower picture and have had zero problems with it. The piece pictured in the upper picture should actually go on top of the piece pictured in the lower picture.
------------------ '87 Fiero GT: Low, Sleek, Fast, and Loud '90 Pontiac 6000 SE AWD: None of the Above
Luck, Fate and Destiny are words used by those who lack the courage to define their own future
But at the same time, I think it looks fairly sturdy, so I don't know...
