dropzone owners: no more clunking and lower drop!

[marshmallow15]

yes for those who bought the ebay dropzone coilovers for the escort or those who have problems having a not-too-low drop or clunking problems from their coilovers, here is what i did yesterday.<p>a) with my dropzone coilovers, i removed the entire bottom coil assembly so that the spring itself would sit on the strut. i don't recommend this at all since it may be unsafe, but i am just experimenting. i did this with all four corners and it has lowered a lot more since the coil sleeve was removed.<p>b) the clunking sound has also gone away. this sound is most likely caused by the coilover spring becoming unseated which all of us have a problem with.. well there is no more clunking sound. why? because there is nothing between the spring and strut for the spring to click on.<p>now this is only a temporary cheap setup for no more clunking and a lower drop.. but i do not take responsibility for any damage done to your car. this is only for those who want a lower drop and no more clunking problems. so do at your own risk. damn im a cheap ghetto b*tard. haha.

[mx-3 12acer]

Ok, this is a good post. Does anyone have anything to say about this? it is basically a spring (coil-over) resting on the strut. <p>Marsh, have you had any problems at all since the post? What are the steps i need to take to take these pieces off? More in depth than just take stut off, and coilover...<p>Thanks for the post, the noise is bugging the HELL out of me. My car sounds like a POS!

[marshmallow15]

nope no problems just bouncy just as expected.<p>i didn't really get into detail much because it was a simple process. you just remove the strut and then remove the coilover assembly. get the bottom coilover assembly (the sleeve with adjustable coils, and remove the adjustable coils, BOTH of them.) then i just put the sleeve (not really needed in theory) and the spring back on, then that upper coilover mount that goes on the spring, and install as normal.

[mx-3 12acer]

and you don't have *any* noise at all?

[marshmallow15]

well the ocassional squeaking from the rear, but no more clunking and clicking.

[ProtegeSTS]

the rear springs will still have free room to move, and youre taking away suspension travel.

[EBUCKS]

How long did you have your coil-overs in before you did this? Mine "clunked" for maybe 2 weeks and then settled. There has been no clunking since (9 months).
Yeah you get a lower drop but that's about an inch plus more than the lowest setting, which brings you to roughly 4 plus inches at least.
Are you sure that there is a solid flat platform for the spring to sit on? Also there is no inside bushing to hold the spring in place.
Well Marsh, let us know how things hold up. I'm glad that you tried this and have referred it as a temporary measure. Good luck. <p>one

[mx-3 12acer]

What about finding a rubber washer or O ring that could go underneath the coilover. To cushion the coilover as it comes down again? <p>Protege, how does GC do their coilovers? It doesn't make sense that Dropzone would actually make their's wrong. Could it be the spring rates? That the spring is not compressed enough when at normal use, that when i hit a bump it has no where to extend to other than "unseating". Thus, the answer to this problem would be to get some new springs?

[marshmallow15]

well ebucks, ive had the coilovers for around 3 1/2 weeks.. and the rear struts look like it can hold the springs pretty well and up front it looks like the springs can move around a lot. but the setup is still doing ok. oh and about the lowest setting, i had mine to the lowest setting and it basically lowered the car 1.5" which was weird, not the promised 4 inches, but of course im driving an mx-3, not an escort.

[mx-3 12acer]

Hey can you give me an update on your situation marsh15? I would like to know how things are going... thanks man.

[mx-3 12acer]

bump**