Coilovers DIDN'T WORK... PLEASE HELP. (protege)

[mx-3 12acer]

Ok, here is the story. I bought some 2nd Gen Escort coilovers to install on my STOCK* shocks. Now i know this is not recomended, so i was going to purchase the shocks today. The thing is, the coilovers DON'T FIT. I talked to the install guy at the speedshop and he said that the rod from the shock was TOO wide to fit in the top "cover" on the Coilover. So he tried to widen the top out, but felt it would be unsafe to widen any more. What is the deal? Why did this not work. Do i need to get different shocks? PLEASE BE SPECIFIC. I just got back from payin for labor and no result, and am in a little bit of a pissed off mood.

[mx-3 12acer]

Also, Marsh, how did your work so well???? Did you not use the top piece (it looks like a little bit of a cone with a whole on the top and a ring on the bottom, the width of the coilover) that was supplied with the coilovers? Whatever you did, please e-mail me or post in detail what you did, that is if you have time...i am lost.<p>artfreak@ku.edu Thanks.

[monty73741]

are u installing them on escort z(whatever struts)...you might need secorts strut mounts
jason

[mx-3 12acer]

I got Escort 91-95 coil overs, and tried to install them Out-Of-Box. Strut mounts? I need to replace my struts, so maybe i could go with another kind that would fit better?

[marshmallow15]

that cone shaped thing that came with the coilovers fit perfectly with my stock struts.. you mentioned buying new shocks? were these OE shocks or aftermarket? the coilovers had a perfect fit with my oe struts.

[mx-3 12acer]

What brand Coil-Overs did you use? Was that cylinder that came out of the shock around 1" wide?

[marshmallow15]

ill check about the diameter for ya when its apart next time. i got them from ebay they are dropzone.

[zytariuk]

...You're the 3rd one in less than a month that found this out the hard way. I swear, i don't know why you guys keep trying escort coilovers! lol

[Sonicxtacy02]

i agree, spend a lil more money and save yourself the hassle. Obviously there is some mis-information that has been spread on the board about what will and will not fit.

[ProtegeSTS]

My opinion is that its more a question of you guys buying pieces of crap off ebay than the stuff not actually fitting. The Escort, Protege, one MX-3 all use the same dimension springs and struts.<p>Didn't someone actually get whatever company to send the CORRECT pieces that fit?

[mx-3 12acer]

Is there any change in suspension from a 94 non ABS RS to a 92 RS like Marsh's? Marsh do you have the part number? That would be a big help. Thanks for all replies.

[ProtegeSTS]

no, they are all the same. The oem part #s will be different, but the dimensions are the same.

[ryanlindenberg]

you probably didn't get the coils off of an escort gt. they probably came from the base or lx model. i think the gt's are the only ones that fit. probably better that the springs didn't fit because if they aren't off the gt they are probably worse than the ones on your car right now.