87's with z71

[irishboy02]

Yeah he was compressing the mid section of the spring, maybe thats why I couldnt fit the spacer. I didn't know any better since this is the first time I'm doing anything of this sort. When I install the bilsteins, I'll compress it correctly and put in the spacers.

Sounds like this was his first time too. I wonder why he would compress it that tight in? Thats 100% your reason why. Make sure he goes as wide as possible next time when you do your struts

[The Roadie]

He probably thought it was like a typical Civic spring. Heck, I can compress those with a ratchet strap.

[Stoked]

So, Bilstein HD front shocks were delivered this weekend. Not sure when I can install them because of the holidays. Its a shame that I didnt do it all at once; I should've taken the advice from everyone saying to do the front shocks when I swapped the springs, but at least now im familiar with taking the suspension apart. Im also going to put in the spacers as well. Complete suspension and lift COMING SOON!!

[Stoked]

After much back and forth, Suspension Mods are completed ....but Im not happy with the ride . Rides harsh, dont want to take it off road out of fear. I think Im hyperextending the shocks front and back. I figure I might need to go with the BDS, again, like everyone said. However I DONT want to flip the ucas

Front: 87s, bilsteins, 2.5" lift (spacer inside and outside)
Rear: z71s, tahoe shocks, 2" spacer

Main Question:
What is limiting my downwards articulation in front?
- strut - Can I unscrew the top nut of the strut assembly a bit, I have like 3/4" sticking out the top?
- bj - Ideal?
- cv - I hope not......

[Trail X]

Probably your shock is the limiting element. That is correct and is the design intent of the suspension system.

Do not just unscrew the top shock nut, it will just make your front shock rattle around. If you want to use that extra space, add washers below the inside top shock mount. However, then you'll move your limiting element to something else - prob the CV.

You do not want the BJ to be your limiting element - Teebes broke one off his UCA (assumably due to over extending his BJ with his prior lift setup).

Why don't you want to flip the UCAs?

[Stoked]

Why don't you want to flip the UCAs?

I rather stop downward movement at the ball joint or strut. The thing is that right now, my front suspension is maxing out on small potholes and speed bumps. I want to allow it to articulate a little more down, but not enough to strain the CV.

[Trail X]

I think the full 2.5" + the 87s + the fact that you don't have extra weight up front is making it too high.

Try removing the top spacer for a bit and see how that affects things. If that helps, that means you were in danger territory before.

As I said before, you do NOT want the BJ to be the downward limiting element. You will break your UCA if it is.

Also, how long have you had them on? My understanding is that they will set some after a few weeks of driving.

[Saxis]

Yeah, I'll bet taking the outside spacer out will be about right. I have 84s + 2" BDS + 1/2" top spacer on mine and wouldn't want to go much more than that. I plan on going to 87s + 2" BDS, removing the 1/2" spacer in the future. Should put it pretty close to where it is now, maybe a tiny bit more...

[Rob93]

But the outside spacer doesn't affect his shock from topping out... correct? So removing it as some said shouldn't really help him as far as the rough ride.... I went from 82s to 86s and its a bit rough but livable... and as far as the rear, going to BDS shocks fixed it for me

[Trail X]

I'm thinking it's binding on the UBJ, so taking the top spacer out would help. If it doesn't help, then it would just disprove my theory.

[bartonmd]

Got one of my 87s onto my new Bilsteins last night at Kyle's... I didn't get there until 8, and his compressor and impact are super weak, so only got 1 done... Wasn't too bad, though, so I'm going to do the other one at my house tonight, and install them on the TB tomorrow...

With the skids and bumper (and winch) up front, I think they'll give me a little bit o lift, and be decent riding... We will see, though...

Mike

[Stoked]

At first I had the 87s with the .5" spacer outside. Excellent ride quality. Thats been done for a few weeks now. Last week I put the new shocks and the inside spacer, thats were it went bad. Tomorrow I'll mess with it a bit, try taking off the top spacer. I might need to get a smaller block in the back to level it with the front once I take off some lift. Actually, going with a little less lift in the back might allow me to stay with the tahoe shocks(for now)....hmmmm...its all coming together. Thanks guys, i'll keep you posted.

[BSalty]

James I am running the 87 with inside and top spacers with the bilstien HDs. Mine limiting factor is the shock itself as far as I can tell. I didn't flip my UCAs. Am I missing something? I don't want to be breaking a UCA or UBJ here.

[Trail X]

Honestly you shouldn't be topping out on the UCA. However, it's prudent to check whenever you're customizing the suspension.