Coilovers and winter?

[racerx321]

So I'm buying a used Koni DA/Ground Control coilover setup (finally making that move to STX!) Not sure I want to install them yet, though, given that there's only the Valleyfair "superweekend" left and then the snow starts to fly (sorry to bring that up). So what do you guys (who daily drive your auto-x cars through the winter) do with your coilover setups in the winter?

Not sure if I should a) install now and not worry about winter's effects on them b)install now and switch BACK to stockers after VF c)wait until spring to install these (probably too lazy to do option "b"). Would appreciate your advice.

Thanks,
Ken

[MNbiker]

It only takes a couple hours to swap out the struts. HOWEVER, the car will need to be re-aligned after the swap. If you don't have the equipment and/or expetise to align the car yourself, I'd be tempted to leave the new struts off until next Spring.

The 2 Winters I drove my WRX, I re-installed the stock suspension. Racing-derived coilover struts really aren't designed for the chemical abuse of Minnesota Winters. Plus, the stiff ride will feel REALLY stiff when it gets cold. My car had squeaks & rattles all over the place in cold weather with the coilovers installed. BTW - what spring rates are you getting with the coilovers?

-Steve

p.s. Did you get front camber plates with the coilovers? If not, I'd HIGHLY recommend investing in some - preferably something that also allows caster adjustment. You'll also want some way to adjust rear camber, if you don't already have something. Eccentric bolts would be the cheap way to go - adjustable rear control arms would be best.

[shane86]

So I'm buying a used Koni DA/Ground Control coilover setup (finally making that move to STX!) Not sure I want to install them yet, though, given that there's only the Valleyfair "superweekend" left and then the snow starts to fly (sorry to bring that up). So what do you guys (who daily drive your auto-x cars through the winter) do with your coilover setups in the winter?

Not sure if I should a) install now and not worry about winter's effects on them b)install now and switch BACK to stockers after VF c)wait until spring to install these (probably too lazy to do option "b"). Would appreciate your advice.

Thanks,
Ken
Well, logic would say that you should leave them until next spring, but..... screw logic. Put 'em in.

I would agree with steve that most coil-overs should be removed before winter, but you can probably get away with these, being that their a sealed dampener and a sleeve type coil-over.

My best friend ran AGXs and GC coil overs for 2 winters. it wasn't easy to get around, and the ride was pretty damn rough he said, but they did last.

[JKarsten]

I have run tein flex coilovers for a year now. they are good in winter. I would install them and rock out. coilovers are bad a**!!

[Shrep]

I've run Ground Control C/O's for three years on the Probe...never had an issue, never had to raise the height. Just get some snow tires :D

[jhammer]

If the threaded perch is steel, you will want to do something to stop the rust.

This is how i do it on my tokico's. After setting the ride height I coat the exposed threads with some very heavy grease. Then rocks, salt, and everything else sticks to the outside of the grease and the threads stay good. The only problem with this is that you have to completely clean all the grease and accumulated crap off the threads BEFORE adjusting them, and cleaning all the grease off is a bit messy. But under all the grease, my threads for the adjustable perch look like new.

[MNbiker]

If the threaded perch is steel, you will want to do something to stop the rust.

Good suggestion. Most Tein coilovers, other than the RA, have steel bodies. If you don't coat them with something, they will get rusty. From a functional perspective, the most important (and hardest) part to protect is the piston shafts. If these get pitted, they will have to be replaced - which is an expensive proposition. Periodically wipe them off & coat with a lightweight lubricant/rust preventative. Note: I'd avoid using WD-40, as it can destroy the seals.

-Steve

[rdub]

NO Don't wreck them by using them im the winter

[MNbiker]

A bit of additional information - specific to DA Konis. These (and many other coilovers) are designed to be RACE dampers. As such, they really aren't designed for the rigors of daily driving and Winter weather. I just had to get the Konis from my Miata re-built after 2 years of use. ProParts indicated the large amount of daily driving by the previous owner caused quite a bit of wear - and that was in sunny inland Florida. If you daily drive them up North, count on getting DA Konis rebuilt every 1-2 years (cost approx. $120 per strut).

[racerx321]

I've definitely decided to wait out the install until next Spring. I've gotta hide them in the basement or something to avoid the temptation to put them on (and maybe keep my wife from perseverating on my expensive hobbies, as they sit right next to my mountain bike!).

Steve: Spring rates are 350/300. Also included were 450/425 springs, but I figured these might be a little too much for a daily-driven WRX, even for my short 15-minute commutes. I figured I'd start with the softer setup first. PDE camber plates. I've also wondered about the rebuild issue buying these used, but I got a good price, so I guess that's the risk one assumes.

Thanks for everyone's input!

---Ken

Next step to STX: 17-in wheels and rubber to replace my heat-cycled-out 16-in Falkens.

[MNbiker]

.......Spring rates are 350/300. Also included were 450/425 springs, but I figured these might be a little too much for a daily-driven WRX, even for my short 15-minute commutes.......

I don't think you'll notice much difference between the lighter & heavier springs. I'd install the stiffer ones right away. One other thing - if the springs are the same length F/R, I would install the stiffer ones in the back. Virtually all the top WRX's in STX are set up with 50-100lb stiffer springs in back. 425F / 450R won't be as noticeable, but will be better than the reverse.

-Steve