Fox 2.5 install questions/issues

I recieved my 2.5 fox 0-3 coilovers yesterday from accutune offroad. I had then do a custom valve on them and also change out the spring to a 500lb spring (recommended by them for the best ride) they arrived with 6 threads showing on each. From what I've read this should get me about 3" of lift. I installed them this way along with the new jba upper arms since thefix are extended travel. I dropped it down and drive around the block for it to settle. At the end I only got about 2" of lift, so l I losyvabout an inch from my previous set up (factory PRO bilsteins with 2 coachbuilder shims).
Next I tried to adjust the collar, no go. Got about 2-3 extra threads and that's about all I could get. Went to rent a spring compressor and the coils are too tightly wound so i can't get the tool on there to grip.
ilIs there a certain brand spring compressor i needI need?
How many threads do I need to have up to to get atleast 3"
I'll take any advice I can get from guys who have installed these.

Thanks

 

How did you try adjusting them? My coilovers need the truck at full droop then I tap the spanner wrench with a hammer to get it going. Penetrating oil on the threads/body helps too.

 

#500 would indeed give a nice soft ride, however, you can only turn those collars so much before you get coil bind at full compression, maybe you won't get any. One way to know would be setting the ride height, removing the CO's then use some press to see if the coils would bind. Pretty labor intensive but you'd be glad you did before driving it.

 

Did you ask @AccuTune Offroad about the ride height you wanted?

 

With that little thread showing, sounds like 16" springs. I wouldn't be too worried about coil bind. Something to be aware of for sure, but you're preloading a 14" within an inch of it's life.

 

It's an 18" 500lb spring.
Spoke with accutune and they said I need to take messuremnents on where I want the height, remove the coilover, adjust the collar while using a spring compressor, then reinstall. Definitely not the easiest procedure but I guess that's what needs to be done.
Ordered the spring compressor today and will try again on Monday.
For now back to factory PRO coilovers with shims. Just pissed I wasted two installs and I'm back to square 1. All good, hopefully the ride us worth it

 

If you need to adjust the collar still and are having problems such as your tools interfering with the spindle and UCA, disconnect your spindle from the lower ball joint and lower control arm. Put two lug nuts on and jack up the spindle as high as you need. Your shock/ LCA should be at full droop.

 

I tried adjusting them while on the truck, no way. I bent the 5/16 punch and the holes for the tool are starting to oval out. Even tried doing it off the truck, no go.
I ordered the spring compressor and will try again when it arrives.

 

Yeah, that sounds like a no go. Hopefully the spring compressor you ordered will be up for the job.

I have Blings so not exactly the same shock, but the punch tool they provided easily rounds out the holes on the collar like you said. There's spanner wrenches like these that don't damage them as easily.

 

I thought these type of shocks were supposed to be fairly easy to adjust???

 

Not always, and its easier to lower them than to add lift.

@94slowbra which compressor did you order up?

 

Definitely not easy. I gave everything I had and the punch is basically an "L" shape now. Kings may be easier from what I have seen

 

https://www.eastwood.com/eastwood-macpherson-strut-and-coil-spring-compressor.html
This is what I bought, what accutune recommended. Hopefully it's up to the task

 

Definitely get a spanner for adjustments.

 

I have a spanner, didn't do any better. Supposedly you can turn them by hand once you take the pressure off from spring.

 

The old saying, have the right tool for the job. Got my spring compressor in yesterday and made quick work of the install. Truck is getting an alignment now but can tell already it's a better ride.
I do find it a little silly that you can't adjust them with out compressing the spring. Is what it is and once I get the ride height dialed in I won't be doing anymore adjustments

 

It's more about safety and not damaging the shocks. Keep in mind these are 600-700lb spring rates which would require 600-700lb of weight to compress the spring only one inch, double that weight to compress them another inch. That is a lot of force, especially trying to do it by hand on an aluminum collar on a threaded shock body. Disaster waiting to happen. We've seen it all, and don't want others to experience those same issues.

 

Understood. I spoke with John over there with you and he sent me a link to the right compressor. You guys also custom tuned these and swapped the springs over to 500lb springs. So far the ride is fantastic. I will probably need to drop the front about another 3/8"-1/2" to get the ride height perfect. I will give it a week or so and let it settle. Thanks again for top notch parts and advice!

 

I've adjusted the fox coilovers on my truck many times without uninstalling them. And i have the stock 700 pound springs. Jack up the truck so the tire is off the ground, apply WD-40 to the threads, loosen the set screw on the collar (not too loose), use the harbor freight 3/8 punch to rotate the collar and its no problem.

 

I'd be careful utilizing this method. The correct method is to compress the spring and then adjust the collar since it'll be more "free".

Adjusting the collar while the spring is under load can potentially cause you to strip the threads.

 

I guess Icon should be careful too as this is their suggested method as well.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rKUUmbhUrpg

 

So im not going to argue here but the icon and fox collars are built different. I tried loosening the fox collar (it will separate if loosened too much) and adjusting that way. I bent the punch and the hopes started to oval due to the pressure I was putting on them. Yes the vehicle was off the ground with no added pressure to the spring. When speaking to both fox and accutune both Said the spring beeded to be compressed.
Water under the bridge at this point as I now have the tool and can adjustceadily with the shocks stoll installed with no risk of damaging the threads or shock

 

Maybe they are built different, maybe not. Just saying I did the same process with my fox 2.5s and no problem. Glad you got it done.

 

@94slowbra Thank you for posting your adventures (and mis-adventures). I just ordered the 2.5 Fox with the 500lb 18" and adventure tune.

Any updates on your setup?

I also ordered the same spring compressor. Thanks for putting that out there! I also didn't realize it was an install -> measure -> uninstall -> adjust -> install -> measure -> pray you got what you wanted situation. However, if it ends up with the best riding perfectly adjusted setup then it all seems worth it. Hope you are happy with your purchase!

 

So I just got of the phone with accutune. I have the ride height adjusted exactly where I want it, so we are good there. However I have a strange popping noise coming from my driver's side. To me it sounds like a spring. I have gone over the front-end multiple times, everything is tight and there are no visible signs of contact. Tech on the phone said it could be the spring not being on the seat correct or something in the alignment.
Honestly I'm not sure what else to look for. It sounds terrible and I just want it to be quiet. I hate rattles, sqeaks and other noises from cars. I don't do algnments so I guess I need to bring it somewhere to have it looked over.
So in short the saga continues.

 

Bummer! Did it only start after your most recent adjustment / reinstall?

I took my truck in to the dealer for an oil change and following that I developed an awful popping when turning and encountering bumps (like entering and exiting my drive way). It turned out to be my skid plate(s).

Did you torque stuff down while it was unweighted or after you set it down?

Regardless, good luck. That is frustrating!

 

Is it when you're turning? Could be your end links hitting the coil...

 

I have had the dreaded trd skid plate pop, that has been taken care of. This soind is different.
I have visually checked and there are no marks on the shock body or spring indicating anything is making contact. When I turn the wheels on flat ground everything has good clearance.
No real ryme or reason here, just when the suspension cycles and slow speed. I can't hear it at hwy speed if it's doing it. Definitely when I exit a driveway at an angle and the truck rocks

 

You torque the bottom shock bolts?

 

UCAs can do it if they're loose around the shock towers.