Who has installed Megan Coilovers?

[03Z33]

Originally Posted by Thirty-Nine

I had originally used the entire seat from the OEM strut. Is this not correct? How do I get just the bearing off? That'd make some sense. Currently, this is what the assembly looks like (gotta love MS paint and that fact that I haven't taken any photos of the actual setup yet):

I would think the stock spring seat won't fit, so you'll need to press out the stock strut bearing from it and transfer the bearing over to the new coilover. If you can't push it out with your fingers, then try tapping on the outside race gently or a wooden hammer handle should do the trick. Then the nut (which I don't see in your diagram?) will go over the bearing before the rubber part (which fits around/over the strut bearing).

[Thirty-Nine]

Originally Posted by 03Z33

I would think the stock spring seat won't fit,

Correct. However, the first time I attempted to install this, I actually used both the stock and the Megan tops bolted together with the bearing and everything, and the pistons still came way out from the tops of the strut towers. After calling Megan, they said I am only supposed to use the red tops that they supplied. There was no mention of the strurt bearing, though.

so you'll need to press out the stock strut bearing from it and transfer the bearing over to the new coilover. If you can't push it out with your fingers, then try tapping on the outside race gently or a wooden hammer handle should do the trick. Then the nut (which I don't see in your diagram?) will go over the bearing before the rubber part (which fits around/over the strut bearing).

Okay, assuming I need to take this part out and it does fit the Megan units, how much do these need to be preloaded?

[03Z33]

Originally Posted by Thirty-Nine

Correct. However, the first time I attempted to install this, I actually used both the stock and the Megan tops bolted together with the bearing and everything, and the pistons still came way out from the tops of the strut towers. After calling Megan, they said I am only supposed to use the red tops that they supplied. There was no mention of the strurt bearing, though.

Yes, you must use a strut bearing always on this type of suspension.

Okay, assuming I need to take this part out and it does fit the Megan units, how much do these need to be preloaded?

According to the repair manual the torque on the nut directly above the strut bearing is 25ft/lb. I usually use an air tool on it, but you don't want to over tighten it so you don't damage the bearing.