Rep Power: 319

So the other day I was tightening the bolt that is on top of the strut (on top of the bushing on the top of the strut) and I noticed I had been turning it for while and nothing was hapening. So I go get wrench and turn it and see that the piece of the strut that I am bolting it on to is turning

I was tring to torque it down to 22 in-lb (that's Acuras spec) but I tested it out and it's only at 12 ft-lb. The car seems okay, but is the strut okay?

I have KYB AGX 4 way adjustable shocks and GC coilovers on a '94 GS-R (I know they suck, but they came with the car, so untill I get money to buy new ones, I'm stuck with these).

So is my strut done for, or is this an okay thing?

 
Rep Power: 412

the nut on the top will just keep spinning if the shock is spinning with it. Generally, you have to hold the shock to tighten the nut. You are probably spinning the shaft inside of the body of the shock and getting no where. I am sure 12lbs is fine though.

I would think that would be a pretty good set up. I would just leave it.

 
Rep Power: 319

well, the one problem that I have is the the front is to low (yes just the front). The guy that had it before me lowered the front about an 1-1.5 inch lower than the back. Does that make sence, or am I just missing something? But anyway, the coilovers are about a year old, and I can not get the alan screw off to raise the front up, so I'm tring to figure out how to raise the front back up, I'm going to have to buy a either a new screw, or whole perch and just cut the old one off. I have to raise the car for winter, it'll never make it my drive

Thanks for the help!

 
Rep Power: 0

Most of the shocks I've worked with have the top of the shaft above the threads hexed or flattened on the sides so that you can get a wrench on the top of the shock shaft and hold it while you tighten down the top nut. Don't go and try putting a clamp or anything around the shaft, it'll either warp it or scratch it.

AGX's and GC's can be a very fast setup if you get your spring rates right, I've won several autocrosses on that same setup in STS.

[edit] The perch adjuster seizing is one of the things that can happen when GC's are neglected. Id reccomend caling up the guys at GC and just ordering up a new set of perches and collars. Depending on the preload on the springs you may be able to get them off without spring compressors. Sorry but there's nothing worse than inheriting a badly maintained suspension from someone else.

 
Rep Power: 319

Yeah.... I hate that neglect thing. I've been emailing a guy from GC, but he doesn't really want to send me a new set. maybe I'll just call them, gotta get this doen before winter.

At least I know they aren't to bad, he only had them on for about a year, and the car sat for the last 3 moths, so only leave 9 months of abuse.

 
Rep Power: 412

good post....