Installing QA1’s Pro Coil Shock System Is A Simple At-Home Upgrade

Upgrading the suspension of a classic car has become a serious upgrade for those enthusiasts wanting to improve how their hot rod handles. QA1 Has been there from the beginning, and there are many reasons why people are upgrading to QA1 coilover shocks. This upgrade offers improved ride quality, adjustability, and ride height. However, there are many enthusiasts that have put-off doing this type of upgrade, out of fear. They are concerned about getting started on a project like this, and not having the ability to complete it. While this process might seem difficult to the casual observer, the folks at QA1 want to show you how easy it really is to upgrade to the QA1 GM Pro Coil Shock System coilovers.

To do just that, take a look at the above video the company put together about installing them on a 1968 Chevelle. We can already hear you guys with other models asking what about my…? Rest assured, QA1 tells us it’s the same process for any year A-body as well as many other applications like the G-body, F-body, etc.

coilover suspension

It’s an easy upgrade that nearly any enthusiast can complete at home.

The kit shown in the video is a hybrid coilover system and comes with the shock, spring, and mounting hardware. According to QA1, the hybrid coilover works by mounting the spring on the shock — hence, the coilover identifier. The bottom of the spring rests on adjusters that are part of the shock body itself, not on the control arm. The top of the coil spring still rests in the factory frame-spring pocket. A true coilover would have a top mount on the shock itself. Both offer adjustability, it’s just a different way of accomplishing the same task.

The installation actually begins with assembling the coilovers. This is done by threading the adjustment nuts onto the shock body with the thrust washers or shims. Then, remove the stock shock from the car, secure the coil spring, loosen the lower ball joint, and then remove the sway bar end link from the control arm as well. With the lower control arm pushed down and the factory shock and spring out of the way, it’s time to install the QA1 Pro Coil Shock System.

To install the new parts, begin by sliding the coil spring onto the shock body. With the spring on the shock, make sure the coil spring is sitting correctly in the spring pocket. Once that is done, then slide the shock through the factory shock mount hole and install the nut.

Where the coilover mounts to the control arm, there are a few things to note. First is, some GM applications have nuts welded to the control arm that have to be removed, but they aren’t here on this ’68 Chevelle. Another thing to note is that the factory holes are 5/16-inch diameter and they need to be drilled out to 3/8-inch diameter.

coilover suspension

Pro Shock Coil kits are available for the front and rear of nearly all classic Chevys.

Lastly, the stock shocks mount to the bottom of the control arm usually. With these coil-overs, you want it to mount to the top of the control arm, the side where the factory coil spring would normally sit. With the Pro Coil Shock System now bolted into the car top and bottom, go ahead and attach the lower control arm to the spindle and torque down the castle nut before inserting a cotter pin.

There is a little more to the install than what is written, but the video shows you what all is involved. The last step is to grab a spanner wrench to set the ride height and hit the back roads!

What are you waiting for? Isn’t time you increased the fun factor of driving your hot rod? If so, check out QA1 for a suspension upgrade that suits the level of fun you’re after.

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About the author

Randy Bolig

Randy Bolig has been working on cars and has been involved in the hobby ever since he bought his first car when he was only 14 years old. His passion for performance got him noticed by many locals, and he began helping them modify their vehicles.
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