Power isn’t everything. While it certainly helps, the right suspension setup will make you or break you.
A properly setup suspension has many critical components, however busted shocks aren’t one of them.
Such was the problem on our project 240. Our rolling chassis arrived with a set of Tein Flex coilovers
that weren’t in the best condition internally. Luckily, Apex’i came to the rescue with a set of their S1
Dampers which improve upon the Teins.
The great thing about coilovers is that they’re all inclusive which means no spring compressors, no headaches, and of course: easy installation with only a few basic tools. Let’s start with the front.
STEP 1: The front suspension bolts to the shock tower at the top, and at the caliper assembly at the bottom. First, remove the bottom two bolts that go through the caliper assembly.
STEP 2: Remove the three nuts atop the shock tower. Once the last nut is removed, the shock may fall as nothing is holding it up at this point so be ready to catch it or secure it in some way.
STEP 3: Remove the old coilover, and use reverse instructions to reinstall the new coilovers.
Then do the same on the opposite side. Both driver and passenger sides are identical in removal/installation.
One thing we like which we highlighted in our previous parts post was that the damper adjustment knob is recessed into the shock body for easy adjustment while protecting the knob from being sheared off on a bump or pothole. This is perfect for daily drivability.
The rears are only held on with three bolts overall. If we head to the bottom, there is a single bolt that holds the coilover to the rear trailing arm. If you’re on the original suspension, you may need to use some muscle to break this bolt loose if it hasn’t been done before. Then Remove aforementioned bolt.
STEP 4: Remove the two bolts atop the rear shock towers. To install the new rears coilovers, simply perform the reverse instructions of these past two steps on both rears. And that’s it! The Apex’i S1 Dampers not only look better, but will certainly perform much better than our old worn coilovers once our motor is in. We can’t wait to test them out and report back!
