Potomac-Greg

My b'day gift arrived (Bilstein Escort Cups) and to my surprise, it was a package of parts that I need to assemble. Below is a picture of what I assume to be one side (front/back) of parts. Some stuff is known missing, some suspected missing, and one piece is simply mysterious.

Known Missing: Springs. I ordered 400/500 and all I got was the 400s. I suspect that the 400s I got ("C" below) are rears. They're pretty short. If so, then the 500s will be fronts. Which is backward. Great.

Suspected missing: The package included two white spring bushings ("E" below). They seem well suited to the job, but the springs do not seat securely (wobble room) on the other surfaces such as the upper spring mounts ("F" below). Should I have more of these bushings? Also missing -- wrench to adjust rings.

Extra parts: Why the extra height adjustment rings? ("I" above.) The coilovers have a full complement. But the package had 4 more.

Mystery Part: Why would I be sent ONE ring (like a piston ring) (see "H").

Lastly, instructions would have been nice. Any input on how these all go together would be appreciated.

Potomac-Greg

I added a picture.

J Silverman

For the rears slide the spring on to the shock, then thread B onto the shock with the lip facing towards the spring. A is a lock nut that will prevent B from changing position, so just thread it snugly against B. The fronts are pretty much ready to go, Spring goes on the strut, then slide the top hat on and tighten the top nut.

Not sure what E or H are for. You should have received the wrench to adjust them, Id call paragon, theyll take care of it.

Dont be so sure that those are the rear springs. The fronts should be 8" long or so.

nickg

e goes under the springs so it can turn for adjustment.

Potomac-Greg

All solved. Springs are fronts. Extra coilover collars are to convert the struts from metric springs to inches. White ring goes under the springs in front. Metal "piston ring" is a mystery part. Wrench not supplied but being sent by Paragon anyway.

fatboycowen

bumping this thread.
I just recieved my Bilstien escort cup kit from Paragon. I recieved two of the mistery rings in mine. They came inside the box for the rear coilover.

Only other question is, why are the two front struts different colors? One is gold and the other is silver.

Potomac-Greg

Ha! I also had two different strut colors. I'm going to guess that there is a different supply for left and right; and one side gets yellow anodized.

As to the rings, here's how they work. You REAR coilovers will have adjusting collars (threaded) that are put on from the bottom of the shock, and are twisted up. Theoretically, they could work their way down and off the bottom of the shock, causing the suspension to collapse. The rings are designed to fit into grooves (like a piston ring) at the bottom of each rear shock to prevent the threaded collars from spinning down too far. So, you put all the hardware onto the rear shock, and after the two threaded collars go on, you then snap the ring on.

Yeah, I just figured it out myself. Even Paragon had no idea what the rings were for. And you can't because there IS NO FM!

fatboycowen

Hah, your right. The coilover has a groove for the ring. I called Paragon, and they said the rings were useless. I think i'l email them today.

Thanks for the help.

Potomac-Greg

I have to confess that I was surprised that the coilovers came in parts, without instructions; but I figured it out eventually, and with calls to Jason at Paragon. The Escort Cups are awesome on track. I went with 400# up front and a combo of the t-bars plus 250# springs on back. I left the sway bars stock, and I'm very happy.

fatboycowen

We chose 600F/500R. I will be removing the rear torsion bar and installing the poly bronze bushings. Also installing RE camber plates and RE control arms. Keeping the stock sways. I'l report how i like them.

Potomac-Greg

Wow. That's a lot of spring! If you're upgrading from OEM suspension, it will be a huge improvement.