Correct installation and setup are essential for getting safe, predictable performance from your Godspeed Project coilovers. This guide covers the most important fitment checks, installation notes, adjustment procedures, and maintenance tips.
Important: Read the entire guide before beginning. Godspeed Project suspension products should be installed by a licensed professional who has experience with aftermarket suspension systems. Always follow applicable laws, use safe lifting practices, and refer to your vehicle manufacturer's service information for application-specific procedures and torque specifications.
1. Confirm Fitment Before Installation
Before opening or installing any components, compare the suspension kit's model and part number with your vehicle's year, make, and model.
- Do not install the kit if you are unsure that it is correct for your vehicle.
- Inspect the shipment as soon as it arrives. If any parts are missing, defective, or damaged in transit, contact the original seller within 24 hours of delivery.
- Confirm whether your application uses the supplied upper mounts or requires the original-equipment (OE) top mounts.
- Be aware that product designs may be updated without notice.
2. Prepare the Vehicle and Components
- Inspect any OE top mounts before reuse. New factory top mounts are recommended when the application requires them.
- Use extreme care when removing an OE top mount from a pressurized factory strut assembly.
- Protect the piston rod. Scratches or damage can cause oil leaks, while dirt, sand, and road debris can shorten shock life.
- Compare each coilover with the original factory strut to identify the correct left- and right-side assemblies before installation.
- Check that all components are fully seated and correctly oriented before mounting them on the vehicle.
3. Install the Coilovers
Installation procedures vary by vehicle. Follow the factory service manual for removing the original suspension and securing the coilovers to the chassis, steering knuckle, or lower control arm.
- Secure all brake hoses and ABS sensor wires. If an application does not provide a mounting bracket, zip ties may be used only as a temporary measure.
- Tighten shock-tower nuts to 33-35 ft-lb, unless the vehicle manufacturer specifies otherwise.
- Use the vehicle manufacturer's torque specifications for factory fasteners at the steering knuckle or lower control arm.
- After installation, verify that every nut, bolt, mount, and lock ring is properly secured.
Using the Spanner Wrenches
The supplied spanner wrenches are designed to help turn the spring perches, lock rings, and lower mounts during adjustment. They are not intended to provide final tightening force.
- Follow the manufacturer's method for final tightening of the lock rings, spring perches, and lower mounts.
- Never turn the rings while the threaded shock body is dirty. Clean away dirt and debris first to prevent thread damage, stripping, or seizure.
- Include lock-ring tightness in your regular vehicle-maintenance checks.
4. Set Spring Preload
Spring preload keeps the coilover assembly seated and helps the shock piston remain correctly aligned. Do not lower the vehicle by simply dropping the spring seat on a full-length coilover. An incorrectly seated spring can move freely at full extension and may damage the shock.
- Set preload only after the spring and upper mount are correctly seated.
- Do not preload the spring more than 10 mm beyond its free-standing length.
- Increasing preload reduces available spring travel and generally creates a firmer ride.
Applications That Reuse OE Top Mounts
- Lower the spring seat before installing the OE top mount. This reduces spring pressure during assembly.
- Seat and secure the OE top mount correctly.
- Adjust spring preload after the mount is fully secured.
- Confirm that every component is seated and tightened before installing the assembly on the vehicle.
5. Adjust Ride Height
On most full-length coilovers, ride height is adjusted by changing the overall length of the strut rather than moving the spring perch.
- Begin at the coilover's maximum safe length, then lower the vehicle gradually. Coilovers may arrive shortened for shipping.
- Do not assume that all four assemblies will use identical measurements. Vehicle weight distribution may require different corner-to-corner settings.
- Never extend the assembly beyond its safe threaded engagement.
- For MacPherson-strut applications, keep at least 50 mm of the threaded shock body engaged inside the lower mount. Confirm adequate clearance between the threaded body and the axle throughout adjustment.
- For wishbone-style applications, keep at least 30 mm of the threaded shock body engaged inside the lower mount.
Note: These are lowering coilovers. Even at maximum length, the vehicle may remain approximately 30 mm lower than the factory ride height.
Independent Spring-and-Shock Applications
On a separate spring-and-shock setup, ride height is determined by the spring and its adjustable perch.
- Set the desired ride height by adjusting the spring perch.
- Support the control arm with a floor jack and raise it until the spring is under tension. Do not compress the spring more than 10 mm beyond its free-standing length.
- Mount the top of the shock to the vehicle.
- Adjust the shock's lower mount so the extended shock length is approximately 10 mm longer than the lower mounting-point distance.
- Secure the lower shock mount to the factory mounting point.
Caution: A shock that is set too short or too long can be damaged and may create suspension noise.
6. Adjust Damping
The damping adjuster controls how quickly the shock piston returns during operation.
- Turn the adjuster clockwise for a firmer, slower setting.
- Turn it counterclockwise for a softer, faster setting.
- Begin by turning the adjuster fully clockwise to the firmest setting, then count clicks as you move back toward soft.
- Keep the left and right sides of each axle at the same damping setting.
- Front and rear settings do not have to match; tune them to suit the vehicle and your driving preference.
7. Adjust the Pillow-Ball Camber Plates
Many applications include pillow-ball upper mounts with adjustable camber plates. Install each plate in the correct orientation for the vehicle.
- Loosen the four Allen bolts.
- Move the plate to the desired camber position.
- Tighten the bolts evenly to a maximum of 12 ft-lb. Do not overtighten them.
- Recheck all four bolts after adjustment and inspect them regularly.
Some vehicles may require sheet-metal modification to access the camber adjusters. Any cutting or modification should be confirmed for the specific application and performed by a qualified professional.
8. Set Up the Sway-Bar End Links
If adjustable sway-bar end links are included with the kit, use them during installation. If no end links are supplied, reuse the OE links only after confirming that they are in good condition.
- Do not extend an adjustable end link more than 30 mm at either end.
- Replace worn or damaged OE end links before installation.
- Incorrect end-link length can create noise when the vehicle turns.
9. Final Checks and Ongoing Maintenance
After installation, have the vehicle professionally aligned. Recheck the suspension after the initial settling period and inspect it regularly as part of routine maintenance.
- Inspect all lock rings, fasteners, top mounts, brake-line brackets, and ABS-wire retainers.
- Keep the piston rods and threaded shock bodies clean.
- Clean the threads before making any adjustment.
- Check for fluid leaks, unusual wear, looseness, or new suspension noises.
- Confirm that the vehicle has adequate tire, wheel, axle, and chassis clearance through the full steering and suspension range.
Coilover Troubleshooting FAQ
Why are sway-bar end links included with some kits?
Adjustable end links are included on applications where the mounting position must be relocated to provide enough clearance for the lowered suspension.
What is the torque specification for the camber-plate Allen bolts?
The maximum recommended torque is 12 ft-lb.
Why does the suspension feel bouncy?
On a true coilover setup, check the spring preload. On a separate spring-and-shock setup, confirm that the shock length matches the combined spring-and-adjuster height and that the original factory spring has been removed.
Why do the coilovers make noise over bumps?
Check that the spring is correctly preloaded and cannot move freely when the suspension extends. If the spring is secure, inspect the upper center nut and other mounting hardware for proper tightness.
Why is there noise while turning?
Two common causes are excessive spring preload, which can create spring bind, and incorrectly adjusted sway-bar end links.
Need Help?
If you are unsure about fitment, installation, or adjustment, stop and consult a qualified suspension professional. For product-specific support, contact the retailer where the kit was purchased or visit Godspeed Project.