Please see the attached photo. The front coilovers in the H&R set I just bought have different components than the spring/strut setup that was in there. I don't know what order to arrange the mounting hardware on the shaft. I've drawn a red line from the shaft through the components showing how I think it should be installed but I am not sure. I numbered the parts in the order from lowest on the shaft up to the nut that goes on top of the shaft.
1 - downward curved washer
2 - aluminum angled piece that came with the coilover set
3 - flat thrust bearing (new stock part, not part of coilover set)
4 - strut top mount
5 - upward curved washer
6 - top nut

If I have this wrong please tell me the right order. Any tips to help get this back in the car are also appreciated. I have a feeling it is not going to be fun.




coilover mounting components

 

Looks like you've got it right. Not sure if H&R's use a smaller cone washer that goes on before the larger downward facing washer (item #1), but everything else is in the correct order.

 

the only thing i see is i might try flipping washer # 5 so the bevel is facing down and the nut seats completely

 

Thanks for pointing that out. I just looked at the diagram on autoatlanta.com and saw that washer. It's inside the dust covers on the stock strut so I didn't even see it. I will take it out and see how it fits on the new strut.

32Crazy - regarding the top curved washer, on the stock setup it is curved upwards so that is why I was going to leave it that way.

 

I used a DIY from 6SO that did not involve separating the ball joint from the wheel carrier to remove the stock strut. I can think of two ways to get the new coilover installed and would like some feedback.

Method 1: Fasten new top mounts to fenders, place components in order on shaft of coilover and use a jack to push the strut upward until I can thread the nut on top.

Method 2: using a spring compressor compress the spring and tender spring enough to permit assembly of coilover. Then position top mount and fasten 3 screws on top of the body.

I am leaning toward adjusting the coilover to its shortest length and attempting method 2.

Has anyone successfully installed coilovers in the front without separating the ball joint? I only have a pickle-fork and do not want to damage the grease boots. No store anywhere near me had the screw type ball joint press I was looking for so I found a DIY that didn't separate the ball joint. Unfortunately after getting too far into the job I realized it was very light on detail when it comes to installation.

 

Once I assembled the front coilovers and mounted them in the wheel carrier I was able to swing them back inside the wheel well, jack up the strut to get the mounting screws through the body and torque them from the top.
I didn't have to separate any joints, just removed the calipers to provide enough movement to swing the strut far enough outside the car.
Now on to the rears, which should be a piece of cake if all the DIY's I read are true.

 

which model of h&r's did you get ?

 

Call H&R out west they were very helpful with any questions that I had when I installed my RSS clubsports. I believe they have a website with the phone.

 

I Got the street focused coilovers, not the RSS version. The install wasn't bad at all considering this was my first ever suspension install job. The front coilovers had to be adjusted near their lowest setting and the rears left the car sitting on the ground until I adjusted them to close to the top of their possible length. It took a lot of time to get the height just where I wanted it.

Pics are coming soon