How low is too low?

L3M0N · 07-31-2002, 07:28 PM

This is my first coilover i don't know anything about coilover.... can anyone tell me how low is too low.... right now I just installed Tein HA and i set it to the middle (8 click from the soft side or the hardest side)....
will it cost any problem? will i damage my coilover?
here's the picture thank you

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deepbeep · 07-31-2002, 08:10 PM

It always surprises me that people have $1000+ to throw around at parts and don't even bother to research the stuff they buy...

That said: Each coilover has a specific height range in which it operates optimally. Setting the strut outside of that range will most likely cause premature wear (think: blow your strut in a matter of weeks). I suggest you check the documentation you got with your Teins and with the vendor you got them from... They should be able to tell what height adjustments are within spec. This is completely independent from the stiffness settings, as far as I know. Judging from your picture, I'd venture to say that you have lowered your car too much, and are outside of spec range.

gtguy · 07-31-2002, 09:51 PM

Your car is too low. What happens when you drop the car too much, is that the rest of the suspension (links, arms, etc) droop, and the car sits lower, but the handling sucks. People seem to be finding that Subarus don't like much more than a 1-1.25" drop, outside of a track car like Gary Sheehan's, with a purpose-built suspension.

Coilovers can provide madness, because there are almost an infinite number of settings that you can settle upon. When I had my DMS Golds, I started at full hard, and began playing with different settings, until I arrived at an optimal ride height/damping configuration. It will take a while.

Kevin

Dori Dori · 07-31-2002, 10:38 PM

The car is too low for the HA's that's for sure. You may hit a bump stop w/ that setup.

I don't know about the handling sucking b/c of a suspension being too low though (to an extent of course). I have the RA's, and although I don't have it as low as you, it is lower than 1.25"...I started higher (about a 1.5" drop) and tried many different setups...right now I'm at about a 2.25" drop w/ 10 clicks in the front and 12 in the rear (rest of the suspension is stock except for STi control arms) and the car handles, to me, great. If all goes well, I'll be doing a track event and driving school, both in october, and I'll give a full impression then. I will be on different swaybars and droplinks by then though...

One must remember that not every coilover setup is the same, so what's great on one coilover may not be too great on another. I couldn't see a 'rally inspired', low spring rate coilover like the DMS handling that great if dropped very low though...but then again, I can't really say b/c I don't own them.

BTW, just so you know, you're ride quility will suffer the lower you go on Tein HA's. If your finding the ride to be a bit rough, raise her up a bit.

efoss28 · 07-31-2002, 11:35 PM

Tein seems to be slightly off on their ride height settings. I just installed some FLEX controls and my car sits identical to yours. I am going to raise the car 5 mm at the strut base and leave the same preload, but am questioning the amount of travel before you get to the bump stops. With the spring rates of the HA I would think that a 1.75 drop is not too low, if it were on softer springs then maybe 1.25 would be the max. Just my .02

Dori Dori · 07-31-2002, 11:40 PM

The HA's will hit their bump stops before the flex's will due to the nature of the struts.

L3M0N · 08-01-2002, 02:46 AM

thx for the advices guys...
sorry for asking what is bump stop (my guess is not a good thing right?) what will it do to my coilover?
will it hit bump stop for sure with this ride height?
and if i do raise it back up how much should i do to prevent hitting bump stop?
or set it back to manufacture Suggested Ride Height 66mm 25mm?
where would this measure from? the floor to the bottom of the car? or the side pannel to the tire?

or maybe adjust my damping harder?

thank you

Dori Dori · 08-01-2002, 09:15 AM

Raise your car up about 1/2" - 3/4" and you should be fine.

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07-31-2002, 08:10 PM	#2
deepbeep Scooby Specialist Member#: 1392 Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Oakland, CA	It always surprises me that people have $1000+ to throw around at parts and don't even bother to research the stuff they buy... That said: Each coilover has a specific height range in which it operates optimally. Setting the strut outside of that range will most likely cause premature wear (think: blow your strut in a matter of weeks). I suggest you check the documentation you got with your Teins and with the vendor you got them from... They should be able to tell what height adjustments are within spec. This is completely independent from the stiffness settings, as far as I know. Judging from your picture, I'd venture to say that you have lowered your car too much, and are outside of spec range.

07-31-2002, 09:51 PM	#3
gtguy Scooby Guru Member#: 2184 Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Highland Park, Ill., USA Vehicle: 2005 Legacy GT wagon Platinum Silver Metallic	Your car is too low. What happens when you drop the car too much, is that the rest of the suspension (links, arms, etc) droop, and the car sits lower, but the handling sucks. People seem to be finding that Subarus don't like much more than a 1-1.25" drop, outside of a track car like Gary Sheehan's, with a purpose-built suspension. Coilovers can provide madness, because there are almost an infinite number of settings that you can settle upon. When I had my DMS Golds, I started at full hard, and began playing with different settings, until I arrived at an optimal ride height/damping configuration. It will take a while. Kevin

07-31-2002, 10:38 PM	#4
Dori Dori Scooby Specialist Member#: 6780 Join Date: May 2001 Chapter/Region: South East Location: South Florida Vehicle: 1993 Nissan	The car is too low for the HA's that's for sure. You may hit a bump stop w/ that setup. I don't know about the handling sucking b/c of a suspension being too low though (to an extent of course). I have the RA's, and although I don't have it as low as you, it is lower than 1.25"...I started higher (about a 1.5" drop) and tried many different setups...right now I'm at about a 2.25" drop w/ 10 clicks in the front and 12 in the rear (rest of the suspension is stock except for STi control arms) and the car handles, to me, great. If all goes well, I'll be doing a track event and driving school, both in october, and I'll give a full impression then. I will be on different swaybars and droplinks by then though... One must remember that not every coilover setup is the same, so what's great on one coilover may not be too great on another. I couldn't see a 'rally inspired', low spring rate coilover like the DMS handling that great if dropped very low though...but then again, I can't really say b/c I don't own them. BTW, just so you know, you're ride quility will suffer the lower you go on Tein HA's. If your finding the ride to be a bit rough, raise her up a bit.

07-31-2002, 11:35 PM	#5
efoss28 Scooby Newbie Member#: 19956 Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Gainesville, GA Vehicle: 2003 Tundra Dark Grey	Tein seems to be slightly off on their ride height settings. I just installed some FLEX controls and my car sits identical to yours. I am going to raise the car 5 mm at the strut base and leave the same preload, but am questioning the amount of travel before you get to the bump stops. With the spring rates of the HA I would think that a 1.75 drop is not too low, if it were on softer springs then maybe 1.25 would be the max. Just my .02

07-31-2002, 11:40 PM	#6
Dori Dori Scooby Specialist Member#: 6780 Join Date: May 2001 Chapter/Region: South East Location: South Florida Vehicle: 1993 Nissan	The HA's will hit their bump stops before the flex's will due to the nature of the struts.

08-01-2002, 02:46 AM	#7
L3M0N Scooby Newbie Member#: 15951 Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Toronto, Canada Vehicle: 2002 WRX Aspen White	thx for the advices guys... sorry for asking what is bump stop (my guess is not a good thing right?) what will it do to my coilover? will it hit bump stop for sure with this ride height? and if i do raise it back up how much should i do to prevent hitting bump stop? or set it back to manufacture Suggested Ride Height 66mm 25mm? where would this measure from? the floor to the bottom of the car? or the side pannel to the tire? or maybe adjust my damping harder? thank you

08-01-2002, 09:15 AM	#8
Dori Dori Scooby Specialist Member#: 6780 Join Date: May 2001 Chapter/Region: South East Location: South Florida Vehicle: 1993 Nissan	Raise your car up about 1/2" - 3/4" and you should be fine.