megan coilovers install afterward...need help

[bigg_kidd]

suspension gurus, this is what happened: a buudy of mine and i got together last nite and try to install the set of megan coils on. we did the front end last. after some hard moments, finally got all four pieces on. but there's a problem: both front struts are extended above the tower on both side. i have a GD3, so to the ones who got GD3, two towers has a black rubber piece that mounts on the top, then a nut screws along with it to lock the whole coilover. but when i lower the car from the jack, both sides' strut from the coilovers pushed up. so it was like this : T---T, now, +--+ (+ indicates the struts, you looking directly from the front of the car), so the struts pushed up a bit just like the simple sketch there. i'll try to snap a few pics to show you guys later. at this moment i dont have access to a camera. i hope you guys know wat i am talking about.

also, i used the OEM rubber bushing that mounts the top of the coils underneath, which it was attached to the OEM struts, so i figure it might need it.

so, anyone knows how to fix this? my only doubt is that should i rais the height of the coils or there was something i must've done wrong?

[macbuddy]

I had the same problem. I contacted Redrumm who informed me that one needs to reuse the top hat off of the OEM struts. I would include pictures, but I am posting from an iPod at work.
-macbuddy-

[bigg_kidd]

which i also did, i used the same top hat as well, but i dont know if i tight that thing tight enuf or not. or put the top hats upside down..i dont want to drive any further before i blow it. i hope not. so, any info/advice please post'em up. thanks

[macbuddy]

Originally Posted by bigg_kidd

.

also, i used the OEM rubber bushing that mounts the top of the coils underneath, which it was attached to the OEM struts

The Top hat that I am refering to is the top most metal part of the OEM strut that fits into this rubber bushing.



You need to re-use the part pictured in the bottom right corner.

[nttdemented]

Originally Posted by macbuddy

The Top hat that I am refering to is the top most metal part of the OEM strut that fits into this rubber bushing.



You need to re-use the part pictured in the bottom right corner.

Bingo! I just had the same problem installing my Pro-C's some pics of Pro-C installs lead me to believe that that hat was needed. You have to remove the bolt that holds the top spring pearch onto the spring on the factory strut. Then cut out the dust boot with a utility knife, pull off the bump stop, finish removing the remainder of the dust boot and unclip the plastic metal retainer from the top metal hat. THAT top metal hat is what you will use over your coilover's top spring perch followed by the big cone shapped ruber bushing, into the body, top rubber bushing, washer and bolt.

And btw, I hope you have an impact wrench of some sort for the bolt that holds that top perch on the factory struts. Don't even waste your time with an allen wrench and a hand wrench. I tried that and I ended up messing up the allen hole. I then thought I could notch the top of the bolt so that I could hold that bolt with a flat head screwdriver then got fed up bolted it all back in and took it to a shop. (This was 2 years ago before when I installed the Skunk2 lowering springs, I know have the impact wrench). That silly mistake 2 years ago cost me 3 hours of using a dremel to remove that particular bolt this weekend when installing my Pro-C's. Not fun!

Rough install day. But I managed to finish the front by 10pm and did the rear end in an hour early sunday morning. I'm gonna get my alignment done tomorrow hopefully.

GL with the fix. And I SURE AS HELL wouldn't drive around like that. The top of your shock is pushing with all its force on the plastic housing where the wiper motors are. Definitely NOT SAFE and the sideways preassure against the edge of chassis could very easily damange your new shocks!