Coilovers give you more control over your ride height and handling than any other suspension upgrade. But if you've never adjusted them before, the process can feel intimidating. It's not. Here's how to do it right.

What Coilovers Actually Do

A coilover combines a shock absorber and a coil spring into one unit. By threading the spring perch up or down on the shock body, you raise or lower your vehicle. Some coilovers also let you adjust damping — how stiff or soft the shock feels over bumps.

Tools You'll Need

• Coilover spanner wrench (usually included with the kit)
• Floor jack and jack stands
• Tape measure
• Torque wrench

Step 1: Measure Your Current Ride Height

Before touching anything, measure from the center of your wheel to the fender lip on all four corners. Write it down. This is your baseline — you'll reference it after every adjustment.

Step 2: Lift and Support the Vehicle

Jack up the corner you're adjusting and place it on a jack stand. You want the suspension hanging freely so the coilover isn't under load.

Step 3: Loosen the Lock Ring

Every coilover has a lock ring that holds the spring perch in place. Use your spanner wrench to loosen it — usually counterclockwise. Don't remove it, just break it free.

Step 4: Adjust the Spring Perch

Thread the spring perch up to raise the vehicle, down to lower it. One full rotation typically moves ride height about 1.5–2mm, depending on the thread pitch. Make the same number of turns on both sides of an axle to keep things even.

Step 5: Tighten the Lock Ring

Once you're at your target height, snug the lock ring back down against the spring perch. It should be firm — not gorilla-tight, but secure enough that it won't back off under load.

Step 6: Lower and Re-Measure

Set the vehicle back on the ground and bounce each corner a few times to settle the suspension. Then re-measure ride height. If you're off, repeat the process. Small adjustments add up fast.

Step 7: Check Alignment

Any time you change ride height, your alignment changes too. Even a small adjustment can throw off camber and toe enough to cause uneven tire wear. Get an alignment after any coilover adjustment — it's not optional.

Damping Adjustment (If Your Coilovers Have It)

If your coilovers have a damping knob (usually at the top of the shock body), start in the middle of the range and work from there. Stiffer settings improve handling and reduce body roll. Softer settings improve comfort on rough terrain. There's no universal right answer — it depends on how you drive.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Adjusting under load: Always have the suspension hanging free when moving the spring perch.
• Skipping the lock ring: A loose lock ring will back off over time and your ride height will drift.
• Going too extreme: Most coilovers have a usable range. Maxing them out at full extension or full compression kills shock performance and can void your warranty.
• Forgetting alignment: Seriously — get the alignment done.

Coilover adjustment is one of those skills that takes 20 minutes to learn and pays off every time you hit the trail or the highway. Take your time, measure twice, and you'll dial in exactly the ride you want.