JIC Coilover Install - 2004 Mazda RX8
JIC coilover install
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Front suspension install on your Mazda RX8, JIC coilovers in this example-
Remove the road wheel and pop the hood up. You will need to remove the front strut tie bar from the upper strut mounts. I think it's a 12 or 14 mm nut. Get that bar off and the 3 upper hat retaining nuts! Do not undo the center nut that holds the strut/spring together.
Look at the strut, and there's a lower 17 mm bolt. Remove it completely:
Remove the sensor line, a 12 mm if I remember correctly:
Next, let's work the assembly out. Grasp the lower end of the stock strut, and pull it outside. Then work the upper A arm, and you can lower the strut assembly. Then move the upper part out at the top and then with some manipulation, it will come right out after you clear the fender up top.
The angle of the driver's side (left) strut coming out after it's lowered:
Then put the new coilover in place, lower side first, then work it in, and look at the top side for clearance:
At this point, it should be self explanatory. Lock everything down in reverse order, use loctite if you can. Do the sway bars last after each side is done, and just jack a side up a bit to get things to align. Remember the stock sway bar links are plastic behind the ball joints, so use extreme caution! With the extended top adjusters of the JIC's we had to grind down some side metal with upper strut bar.
It's late, and the next step is to get the suspension close to where I like it in height, the next weekend: Corner balancing and performance alignment. Stay tuned for more progress on the RX8
JIC coilover install
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