DIY Coilover install/remove by a ʻrookieʼ Otto W on Miata.net Tools needed:# # # # # # Torque wrench and 3” extender# # # # Ratchet(s) a large and small one if possible # # Sockets: 12mm 14mm 17mm and 13/16” optional# Tape measure # # # # # # Jack(s) Floor if possible# # # # # Jack stands 2+ Spring compressor # # # # # # Optional Radio Old sock - I place this on my door handle between my garage and a sink, keeps the handle clean :) Rear: 1. Remove plastic panels in trunk so you can get to the hood. Picture 2.Loosen all lug nuts. I use my 13/16” for this. 3. Raise car and place on jack stands. 4.Remove wheel(s) I do two at a time. 5.Unhook sway bar (14mm) Picture 6.Loosen all arm bolts (17mm) Pictures the bottom is pictured on step 11 7.Remove bolt to the hood that goes up from the bottom to the truck. (12mm) Picture 8.Remove 2 trunk bolts in each hood (12mm) Pictures 9.Use your floor jack to support the suspension Picture 10. Remove the upper arm bolts (17mm) Loosened them in step 6, refer to previous picture 11. Remove the bottom bolt between the arm and the shock (17mm) Picture 12. 13. Slowly lower your floor jack just enough to slide the bottom shock from the arm. Refer to step 6 and 11 with pictures 14. Push the bottom of the shock away from you and lower the whole shock/spring assembly Picture When you push the bottom away from you the top will now drop down. Remove assembly 15. Measure and change the length of your Coilovers. I set mine 1 1/2” lower than my previous shocks/spings 16. Use a spring compressor to remove the hood from your old shocks/ springs and put them on your new coilovers Picture Install in reverse *** but donʼt forget to put the adjusters on your coil overs before you install. There isnʼt enough room in the trunk to do this after they are installed. Front: 1. Remove the cross bar under the hood. (12mm) Picture 2. Loosen all lug nuts 3. Raise the car 4. Place car on jack stands 5. Remove wheel(s) I do both at the same time. 6. Unhook sway bar (14mm) Sorry didnʼt that picture, refer to rear install 7. Remove the bolt that secures the break line next to the A-arm (12mm) Picture The bolt needs to be removed to get access to the upper A-arm bolt. 8. Unbolt the upper part of the shock/springs and remove the bracket that is under the hood. (14mm) Pictured in step 1 9.Loosen all A-Arm bolts (17mm) Picture 10. Remove the upper A-arm bolts (17mm) 11. Remove the bolt from the bottom of the shock that connects the arm. Picture 12. Push down on the break rotor. This will give you enough space to slide the bottom of the shock away from where it bolts and bring the upper part towards you and the shock/spring assembly will come right out. Picture 13. 14. Measure the length of the your old set up and set your new coilovers at the length you think you want them to be. In my case they were 1” shorter. This will help you adjust your ride height, less adjusting later. Picture 15. I drilled a whole in the crossbar to see if I could adjust the coil overs without removing it each time, but I think the little tool that came with my coilovers isnʼt long enough to reach :( will get a longer allen wrench later and see if that will work. Picture Install in reverse. Hopefully this helped a little. The write-ups that I usually find are good but they use proper terms and typically donʼt have enough pictures for those that are new tree shade mechanics. When I did my install I used Brian Goodwinʼs on good-winracing.com http://www.mazdatalkforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=659 but I wanted to add more pictures and try to make it a little easier for the beginner.
