GC Coilover Screw Levels -- See Pictures - The Unofficial BMW M5 Messageboard (m5board.com)

2003 M5!!! · 27th March 2005, 22:08

I went to adjust my ride height today and determined my GC coilovers could not be adjusted by my hand – I will need to purchase the coilover wrench.

I also noticed that the coilover nuts (or screws) were at drastically different levels on the threads on the left front side versus the right front side. On the right (or passenger) side the screw was near the very top making impossible to adjust / raise by hand. See picture.

On the driver side the screw was near the middle.

Question. This seems extremely odd to me. Is there a reason that the screws are at such different levels? It will make the raising of the right front difficult.

2003 M5!!! · 27th March 2005, 23:38

Does anyone know what size the coilover wrench needs to be?

ard · 27th March 2005, 23:45

Not sure you need a "coilover wrench"... Homedepot or a autosupply shop may have a wrench that works. Kind of a half circle with a piece at the tip of the half circle to engage the nut and a handle on the other side. Plumbing supply maybe? Of course a non-marring strap wrench might work.

2003 M5!!! · 27th March 2005, 23:49

Thanks.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ard

Not sure you need a "coilover wrench"... Homedepot or a autosupply shop may have a wrench that works. Kind of a half circle with a piece at the tip of the half circle to engage the nut and a handle on the other side. Plumbing supply maybe? Of course a non-marring strap wrench might work.

jordantii · 28th March 2005, 02:18

Did you loosen the locking set screw?? It is a hex.

Jordan

CSBM5 · 28th March 2005, 04:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2003 M5!!!

I went to adjust my ride height today and determined my GC coilovers could not be adjusted by my hand – I will need to purchase the coilover wrench.

I also noticed that the coilover nuts (or screws) were at drastically different levels on the threads on the left front side versus the right front side. On the right (or passenger) side the screw was near the very top making impossible to adjust / raise by hand. See picture.

On the driver side the screw was near the middle.

Question. This seems extremely odd to me. Is there a reason that the screws are at such different levels? It will make the raising of the right front difficult.

Yes, this is odd. I also note that the orientation of the top of the GC strut (i.e. the upper strut mount) looks a bit off compared to what I remember from Redshift's GC install. It looks like yours might be rotated compared to Brian's, but I may be off in my memory. I don't think you're going to get much ride height increase as there aren't enough threads left on the RF. Perhaps GC screwed up and put the wrong spring on the RF hence it had to be adjusted higher to even out the ride height and also the rate is softer -- something like that. Just throwing out guesses as to why almost all the threads are already used up...

Chuck

Lscman · 28th March 2005, 05:42

The pics are too dark and do not allow me to compare right and left side or tell if there's any variables.

Have you verified the sping numbers painted on for match?

Who adjusted the nuts to be so uneven right and left? It's just plain wrong.

It is hard for me to believe that the kit came without a $5 spanner wrench.

2003 M5!!! · 28th March 2005, 07:24

Thanks Lscman.

The springs in the front both say GC 180.64.61. 141980.

The coilovers were installed by Shadowman. I left him a message and directed him to the posted pictures. I am not a mechanic, but this seemed off to me. Hopefully, Bill will get back to me soon to let me know what is wrong.

The kit might have come with the spanner wrench, but it wasn't delivered to me when DA dropped off my car.

The noise I was hearing on the right front I guess was not my imagination.

I will see if I can post some better pictures.

Thanks again.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lscman

Your setup is really screwed up. The pics are too dark and do not allow me to compare right and left side or tell if there's any variables.

Have you verified the sping numbers painted on for match?

Who adjusted the nuts to be so uneven right and left? It's just plain wrong.

You need to take your car to somebody that knows something about coil overs. It is hard for me to believe that the kit came without a $5 spanner wrench.

2003 M5!!! · 28th March 2005, 07:39

Pictures.

2003 M5!!! · 28th March 2005, 07:41

More.