How to: Fit ST185 Coilovers to a ST165

[MWP]

Thanks a lot for this thread squid without it I would have koni adjustables and kings using my own stutt towers cropped.... Great stuff.

... and whats wrong with that?
There is a good chance they would be better than Tein's.

[88FOUR]

koni and kings work out more expensive to get done. I have been qouted near 2 grand just for the fronts to be done

[88FOUR]

can I use 182, or 184 hubs in place of the 185 ones?

[MWP]

koni and kings work out more expensive to get done. I have been qouted near 2 grand just for the fronts to be done

WTF, no way... did you laugh at the guy that quoted that?
700 for a pair of the konis, 250 for a pair of springs, and a couple of hours of your time to fit them.
Its not such a difficult job.

[takai]

Depends if you need to retrofit the struts with coilover sleeves or notch them for circlips.

[MWP]

Depends if you need to retrofit the struts with coilover sleeves or notch them for circlips.

Not paying attention Mr Takai
That was for simple koni's + kings (ie, existing strut, bolt-in koni inserts, king lows on standard spring perch), not koni's + coilover sleeves.

[takai]

I am paying attention though, and retrofitting the struts is the only way i can work out that the Koni+Kings combo could come to 2k for the fronts.

[Squid]

can I use 182, or 184 hubs in place of the 185 ones?

Sorry mate - cant answer that one... I think it might work, but can't say.

Check out toyodiy or an epc and see if the part numbers are the same?

[wagonist]

I am paying attention though, and retrofitting the struts is the only way i can work out that the Koni+Kings combo could come to 2k for the fronts.

And I can't figure that out.
I had 4 Koni yellow inserts fitted into my last Dina.
I removed & replaced the struts from the car, but apart from that all the labour was done by the shop.

With 4 inserts & 4 new springs, I only paid about $1300.

In regards to the ST185 front hubs, are they the same as some other lesser models, ie ST184, or Camry?

This would make changing the hubs more viable (more common & most likely cheaper) than redrilling the standard hub.

[takai]

And I can't figure that out.
I had 4 Koni yellow inserts fitted into my last Dina.
I removed & replaced the struts from the car, but apart from that all the labour was done by the shop.

With 4 inserts & 4 new springs, I only paid about $1300.

In regards to the ST185 front hubs, are they the same as some other lesser models, ie ST184, or Camry?

This would make changing the hubs more viable (more common & most likely cheaper) than redrilling the standard hub.

This is what i mean by retrofitting:


Given that the guy had asked his local shop for a price for coilovers, im guessing they quoted him including the money to machine the circlip grooves into the shock body so that you can use a 65mm lower perch which is then height adjustable via moving the circlips up and down. You do this because you cant weld coilover sleeves to a strut/insert combination like what the ST185 uses. (as opposed to older mac strut designs with the strut and insert seperate).

[88FOUR]

Coilovers are a far better option for a suspension unit then the koni / kings.. I was quotes in brisbane over 2k just for the fronts (ON A ST165), they wanted to cut things up and modify to fit, and so did a guy in melbourne.... I am happy with the tien purchase, and am getting done by professionals..... KONI and KINGS just bores me. and also they say that genius's choose green

[MWP]

and also they say that genius's choose green

Who does?

- Shocks that adjusted rebound and compression in lockstep, but had so much compression that backing them down to reasonable levels made rebound way too soft (very common with the Japanese brands like GAB, JIC, Tein, etc)
- Where there's no Bilstein fitment and Penskes are too expensive, Konis are usually perfectly adaquate. They are, by far, the best budget shock and better than any of the crap coming out of Japan. JIC, GAB, Tokiko, Tein - synonyms for "crap".

from: http://farnorthracing.com/autocross_secrets6.html

[wagonist]

Coilovers are a far better option for a suspension unit then the koni / kings.. I was quotes in brisbane over 2k just for the fronts (ON A ST165), they wanted to cut things up and modify to fit, and so did a guy in melbourne.... I am happy with the tien purchase, and am getting done by professionals..... KONI and KINGS just bores me. and also they say that genius's choose green

This is an extremely broad statement to be making.
Coilovers are a better option in what situation?

I can guarantee that they are NOT the better option for my use, hence the reason I'm going Konis / Tein springs, and I will also guarantee that I will walk away with change from 2k for a set of 4.

[88FOUR]

Who does?



from: http://farnorthracing.com/autocross_secrets6.html

Robert De Niro in Meet the Parents

[88FOUR]

And also... I no longer have my large beautiful garage to just buy and fit myself... I have no parking where I am at also... so getting the rear sub frame totally removed pulled apart, rebushed throughout and placed back in, with new suspension units probably isnt best done on the side of a Melbourne street,.. ive always had in my mind to put tiens in and couldnt care less if there are mild differences in how well they perform because I will never be using them in any condition that will show me any different... but Id like to lower and harden and all that crap.... Just something im doing guys, thats all. take it easy.


And also, this is a st165, not something that many suspension units get made for.