raceland coils instalation instructions?/ coil sleeves/jackets

[marcodude04]

so ive come across a new idea... instead of using my oem top hats should i just buy oem tophats? if i do so i would need to buy bearings as well correct? what else will i need and can someone suggest bearings?

[Lmmorden]

Aren't bearings included? Maybe not?

[silverstarmazda]

new bearings are included by raceland.

the old bearings in the oem top hats come off.

now your left with the top hat plate (the triangular piece that bolts to the car)

put the raceland bearing onto the top hat plate.

assemble the coilover and bolt it into the car with the 3 original bolts.

[silverstarmazda]

1) OEM TOP HAT/BEARING:


2) REMOVE THIS (OLD BEARING):


3) WHAT YOUR LEFT WITH:


4) RACELAND BEARING:


5) ASSEMBLE NEW TOP HAT:


hope this clears up any confusion so all in all, you dont need to buy anything new.

[ryan2.3]

Don't forget to reuse the bumpstop

[marcodude04]

Oh I thought that was the bump stop . , do I do have to re use the old bump stop?

[marcodude04]

anyone help? i managed to get my hands on an aftermarket top hat plate but it didnt come with a bumpstop so im debating if i should return it and just dissassmbelle the oem assembly or get a bumpstop, if you re use the stock one do you have to cut it ? ( trying to keep my stock ones in one piece so if i need to put them back in its just a straight swap)

[ryan2.3]

I used my stock one. Just pulled it out when you separate the bearing from top hat

[marcodude04]

oh, well im not pulling apart my stock one ! i already have the top hat plate so im trying to figure out if a bump stop is really needed , unless theres a high chance of bottoming out

[marcodude04]

So called raceland , they said in only need to re use the tophat plate like silverstsar said .. Kinda sounds bizarre ?

[Hyperion]

Yea reuse the oem top hat and add their shit. What's so confusing? You have every step handed to you by silverstar

[marcodude04]

its not confusing , just want to doublechecking since im gonna order the pieces rather than pulling my stock one apart.

[ryan2.3]

What is there to pull apart. If you're reusing the top hat, you would have pulled off the bumpstop to put the Raceland bearing on it. With no top hat on the stock ones there's nothing holding the bumpstop on it

[silverstarmazda]

What is there to pull apart. If you're reusing the top hat, you would have pulled off the bumpstop to put the Raceland bearing on it. With no top hat on the stock ones there's nothing holding the bumpstop on it

your only reusing the top hat plate and not the bearing because the spring of the coilover wont seat properly. since the oem bumpstop is held stationary by the oem bearing, it is not used with the raceland bearing because it wont hold it. (itll slide up and down)

racelands dont use the old front oem bumpstops because they are too long for the "lowness" they achieve. the rubber boot covers has "somewhat" of a bumpstop built in. the top of the boot is basically a rubber puck. this rubber puck is about an inch thick, this shortness allows the coilover to ride low without riding on a long oem bumpstop. (hence why it isnt used)

you however do reuse the old rear one. (at least i did)

REMEMBER: not all coilovers are installed the same/reuse the same parts. so although the basic steps are similar between brands, some steps might be skipped or added depending on the brand your installing.

[silverstarmazda]

in this picture you can barely see the rubber puck right above the boots. (next to the tag on the left, and between the 3rd/4th coil on the right)

ironically, the racelands shown above is also how they are assembled minus the top hat plate.

[ryan2.3]

I have to check the box full of the OEM, but I'm pretty sure I used the rear and front bumps tops. I was able to get the Raceland bearings to work with them and the top plate

[marcodude04]

thanks for the help guys! i got the part(s) i needed and install should be this weekend ! ill post a before and after picture , mucho thanks for the help and patience!

[marcodude04]

thanks for the help guys! i got the part(s) i needed and install should be this weekend ! ill post a before and after picture , mucho thanks for the help and patience!

[silverstarmazda]

I have to check the box full of the OEM, but I'm pretty sure I used the rear and front bumps tops. I was able to get the Raceland bearings to work with them and the top plate

all of my bumpstops were basically destroyed. all that came out was foam bits and pieces lol. im not surprised if they would work, it all really depends how low you want the car to be. you dont want to be riding the bumpstops all the time or itll be extremely bouncy

[marcodude04]

Yeah that's true ! I've got my tophats and rear strut mounts from Monroe , all ready to go finally

[marcodude04]

So I did the install this past Sunday (the 27th) everything went smooth and easy probably took about 6 hours with lunch break and what not ... So here's a before and after and some pictures (will be going lower once springs settle and driveways is redone)

[IMG][/IMG]


[IMG][/IMG]

[IMG][/IMG]

[marcodude04]

To adjust the rears do I have to pull everything out ? Or is there a way I can turn the purch without taking it out along with the spring

[silverstarmazda]

To adjust the rears do I have to pull everything out ? Or is there a way I can turn the purch without taking it out along with the spring

probably easiest to just take it out

[ryan2.3]

With the wheel off you should be able to adjust the perch. You put the perch on top right? I called Raceland to confirm this because I got confused. The printing on the spring leads you to put it on bottom but it's inaccessible unless it's up top

[silverstarmazda]

its nearly impossible to actually access the adjusting ring once its in the car since it sits in a cup like housing.