What I've learned so far from installing new shocks and springs

[ANUSTART]

Disassembling and reassembling the Roadster convertible top carrier isn't nearly as difficult as it sounds. However, I'm glad I won't have to do it again. Just take your time with all those plastic parts and be careful.

Rogue Rear Shock Mounts (RSM) are one of the best mods ever. It's an absolute must for Roadsters and probably not a bad idea for Coupes.

Make certain you have something under the front to catch the swingarm as it comes down. I unhooked all the wires but spaced on having a support under it and it came down with quite a decent amount of force only being stopped by the brake line. I will get some stainless lines to make sure I don't need to worry about them bursting on me. So far though, it seems fine. No leaks or clearly apparent damage.

Rear suspension is nothing compared to the fronts. Getting the springs compressed enough to put everything back together took forever and you WILL need either a) professional help compressing them or b) two pairs of compressors. And only then will you be able to squeak by and get the top nut back on. This is where dropping another grand on coilovers sounds pretty good.

Rear took about 4.5 hours from beginning to end. Front, if you are able to get the springs compressed quickly, won't be too bad, unless you're like me and it takes 5 hours just to get a solution to compressing the springs. Front left took over 6 hours. I'm guessing the right will go much smoother. *knocks on wood*

Here's my setup on my non M 2.5i.

• Koni Yellow Sport Shocks adjustable front and rear.
• Eibach ProKit Springs
• Rogue Rear Shock Mounts

[GP20]

There's no need to compress the rear springs to remove the springs. Just release the ebrake and then step on the wheel hub with your body weight and pull out the spring. It's a 1 minute job.

[Beedub]

Originally Posted by GP20

There's no need to compress the rear springs to remove the springs. Just release the ebrake and then step on the wheel hub with your body weight and pull out the spring. It's a 1 minute job.

YUP exactly what i did!

OP, i recently did the same job to coilover swap and the rears took forever, completely agree on the Rogue RSM, they are worth their weight in gold for ease of use on the roadster!! i can drop the shock in 10 mins.....

[ANUSTART]

The rears were fine. The fronts needed to be compressed to get them to clear the shaft enough to get the nut back on. (that's what she said)

Re-reading my post I can see how it was not very clear.

[dharper]

Did you have the sport suspension already on your car?
I am looking at replacing those components and was wondering which way to go (coil over vs. shock/spring replace). I have the sport suspension, and don't want to go lower than I am already.

[ANUSTART]

Originally Posted by dharper

Did you have the sport suspension already on your car?

Mine is a base 2.5 with no sport suspension. Just basic springs and dampers. Not sure how it would effect your ride height. Mine dropped about an inch immediately in the back and about a half in the front. It should settle in by another half to 3/4 inch within a few hundred miles.

This is what I had to do to get those springs compressed enough to put the top nut back on.

[norcal_cyclist]

Originally Posted by hogzilla

Mine is a base 2.5 with no sport suspension. Just basic springs and dampers. Not sure how it would effect your ride height. Mine dropped about an inch immediately in the back and about a half in the front. It should settle in by another half to 3/4 inch within a few hundred miles.

This is what I had to do to get those springs compressed enough to put the top nut back on.

That's alot of potential energy bound up there!

[ANUSTART]

Indeed it is. Gotta treat it with respect.

[wolfman1807]

How do you like the Koni's so far?

[ANUSTART]

Originally Posted by wolfman1807

How do you like the Koni's so far?

So far very happy. I've only had them on a couple days and only drove it yesterday, but the ride is vastly improved. It's tighter and there's much less body roll, but it's also smoother. It seems to iron out the bumps far better. I have it set at one turn on all four corners, which I believe is in the middle. I think two turns is full firm. It's great being able to play with the settings on it. And having the RSMs installed means making the rear an easy job.

My only comparison is the stock base shocks and springs, but it's still quite a fantastic setup. Will have a better idea once I do an autocross or two which probably won't be till June or July.

[wolfman1807]

Originally Posted by hogzilla

So far very happy. I've only had them on a couple days and only drove it yesterday, but the ride is vastly improved. It's tighter and there's much less body roll, but it's also smoother. It seems to iron out the bumps far better. I have it set at one turn on all four corners, which I believe is in the middle. I think two turns is full firm. It's great being able to play with the settings on it. And having the RSMs installed means making the rear an easy job.

My only comparison is the stock base shocks and springs, but it's still quite a fantastic setup. Will have a better idea once I do an autocross or two which probably won't be till June or July.

I have Koni adjustables on my Porsche 944 and they are very good. If I turn them to the firmest setting they will rattle my teeth out but corner like its on rails.

[ANUSTART]

Originally Posted by wolfman1807

I have Koni adjustables on my Porsche 944 and they are very good. If I turn them to the firmest setting they will rattle my teeth out but corner like its on rails.

I may need to give it full-firm some time just to see what it's like.

[wolfman1807]

If they are anything like my 944 they are a blast!

[ANUSTART]

I can't wait to get it out and do an AutoX event. Going through a turn with this things is a blast.