Adjusting QA1 Shocks - Spring Height | FerrariChat
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Adjusting QA1 Shocks - Spring Height

Discussion in '308/328' started by lou staller, Dec 3, 2013.

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  1. lou staller

    lou staller Formula Junior

    Dec 21, 2002
    378
    Orange County Ca
    Full Name:
    Lou Staller
    #1 lou staller, Dec 3, 2013
    It's been ages since I last posted and just as long since I installed QA1's on my '84 308. The last time I adjusted them for ride height I was to aggressive and lowered it too much. Now I'd like to raise the car approx 1" to 1.5" but I remember what a ***** it was to turn the large nut that holds/compresses the spring. I need to lengthen the spring therefore raising the car to the height I want. I've been procrastinating because of the difficulty to turn/loosen the adjusting nut. Am I not doing something correctly or is there anything I can do to make it an easier job? I will be working on the floor with the car on jack stands. I was thinking if I put a small bottle jack under the tire it would compress the spring a bit taking the weight off of the nut allowing it to be turned easier. Does that make sense?
    Any input would be appreciated.
     
  2. The Kook Abides

    The Kook Abides F1 Rookie

    Jan 4, 2011
    3,459
    #2 The Kook Abides, Dec 3, 2013
    Last edited: Dec 4, 2013
    A thrust bearing under the spring makes adjusting the ride height much easier. Buy the correct spanner wrench http://www.summitracing.com/parts/hal-t114w/overview/ or use a wooden dowel to tap on it with a hammer.
     
  3. lou staller

    lou staller Formula Junior

    Dec 21, 2002
    378
    Orange County Ca
    Full Name:
    Lou Staller
    #3 lou staller, Dec 3, 2013
    The thrust bearing under the lock ring is the piece that I'm finding difficult to loosen. I do have the proper wrenches but still find that the spring pressure makes loosening the thrust bearing very difficult. That's why I was thinking if I lift the tire a bit it would take some of the pressure off of the thrust bearing. Make sense?
     
  4. The Kook Abides

    The Kook Abides F1 Rookie

    Jan 4, 2011
    3,459
    #4 The Kook Abides, Dec 4, 2013
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    You need to unload the spring to relieve the tension. How much do you have the spring compressed? Shouldn't be that hard to turn. What springs are you using? I have 300lb Eibach springs on the back and 250/275? on the front. The thrust bearing goes under the spring.
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  5. maurice70

    maurice70 F1 Rookie

    Jan 25, 2004
    4,334
    Sydney
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    maurice T
    #5 maurice70, Dec 4, 2013
    I might be reading it wrong but I would think compressing the spring will put more tension on the spring therefore making that nut even harder to turn..
    Is there any chance of lengthening the spanner handle which would give you more leverage?
    Maybe using a small piece of gaspipe on the end of it.
     
  6. maurice70

    maurice70 F1 Rookie

    Jan 25, 2004
    4,334
    Sydney
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    maurice T
    #6 maurice70, Dec 4, 2013
    Agreed if he is only compressing the spring with spring compressors,but I think he said he wanted to put a small bottle jack under the tyre and compress the suspension as one piece.
    Maybe Im reading it wrong :D
     
  7. The Kook Abides

    The Kook Abides F1 Rookie

    Jan 4, 2011
    3,459
    #7 The Kook Abides, Dec 4, 2013
    You are correct and if people are sitting in the car.... LOL.
     
  8. hanknum

    hanknum Formula 3

    Nov 1, 2003
    2,050
    Santa Barbara
    Full Name:
    Henry
    #8 hanknum, Dec 4, 2013
    WOW, blast from the past. How are you doing Lou?

    Yes, compressing the suspension will just compress the spring more and make it more difficult. I've got the cheap hinged spanner wrenches and they are a PITA to use. The correct spanners will definitely be easier. Also, I've found it easier to actually rotate the spring along with the collar...so one hand on the spanner and the other rotating the spring. I'm not sure what "thrust bearing" you guys are talking about, but Summit has a small spacer with roller bearings on it that you can place in between the spring and the collar so that the collar can rotate more freely. Without this, I just use some silicone spray at the points where it needs to move.

    Good luck Lou...call me if you have any questions.

    Henry
     
  9. lou staller

    lou staller Formula Junior

    Dec 21, 2002
    378
    Orange County Ca
    Full Name:
    Lou Staller
    #9 lou staller, Dec 4, 2013
    Wow! Thanks for all the input and comments. You guys are right about compressing the spring making it more difficult to adjust. (I don't know what I was thinking!) I'll put the car up on jack stands and let the tires just hang there. I'll back off the locking ring, spray some lubricate on the thrust bearing grab hold of the spring so I can rotate it as I'm lowering the thrust bearing/plate. I'll also see if I have room to use some type of extension on the spanner to give me leverage. I'm an old guy so I can use all the 'help' I can get! Thanks everyone for your responses! Lou
     
  10. lou staller

    lou staller Formula Junior

    Dec 21, 2002
    378
    Orange County Ca
    Full Name:
    Lou Staller
    #10 lou staller, Dec 6, 2013
    I raised my 308 today without much difficulty thanks to all of you who posted suggestions and tips. Spraying silicon on the thrust bearing was very helpful 'cause it allowed the spring to rotate with the thrust bearing with minimal drag. I raised the car approx 1.5" from where it was. I have to say, I like cars that sit low to the ground but now that my car is raised from where it was I think it might have actually looked like it was squatting. In hindsight it was too low.
    Thanks again to all, Lou
    Henry, I can't find your number! Oops!
     

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