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QA1 coilovers rubbing/hitting control arms

  • Thread starter Thread starter hassler
  • Start date Start date Sep 3, 2025
H

hassler

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#1
  • Sep 3, 2025
  • #1
QA1 coilovers are rubbing/hitting control arms. How to fix?

Do I have the wrong control arms? Any way to adjust the struts? For context, I did not build the car. Working backwards on a brand new built car
 

Noobz347

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I would try loosening the lower mount bolts and let the suspension weight try an pull it down. There might be some slop in the bolt holes.

You might also find a tiny bit of room in the K-member mount bolts.

Does it do the same thing on both sides?
 
H

hassler

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Noobz347 said:
I would try loosening the lower mount bolts and let the suspension weight try an pull it down. There might be some slop in the bolt holes.

You might also find a tiny bit of room in the K-member mount bolts.

Does it do the same thing on both sides?
Click to expand...
Noobz347 said:
I would try loosening the lower mount bolts and let the suspension weight try an pull it down. There might be some slop in the bolt holes.

You might also find a tiny bit of room in the K-member mount bolts.

Does it do the same thing on both sides?
Click to expand...
Yes. I’m not too sure what K member or control arms are on it yet. But I’m suspecting the control arm is the problem. I’m not sure if there’s any way to get the strut to sit higher so it will clear. Took the wheel off and adjusted the spring, but I need the lower part of the strut to sit higher
 

Noobz347

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hassler said:
I’m not too sure what K member or control arms are on it yet
Click to expand...

I'd be concerned with the wall thickness on those unknown pieces too.
 
H

hassler

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Noobz347 said:
I'd be concerned with the wall thickness on those unknown pieces too.
Click to expand...
What would be your plan of attack? New control arms?
 

Noobz347

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hassler said:
What would be your plan of attack? New control arms?
Click to expand...

If it were mine and I could not positively identify the manufacturer, I'd replace the K-Member and control arms.

There's not a single person in China that cares which wall I drive the car into.
 

Noobz347

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Also:


Since those pieces are interfering, Get a [bright] light and look for cracks in any/all of the welds.

If you see [anything] amiss, then they are too light weight.

You're looking for the smallest cracks.
 

AeroCoupe

lube between the nut and the face. I know my lubes
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So it looks like the control arms have Fox ball joints and SN95 spindles. I am only guessing this due to the washer stack on the top of the spindle and below the castle but if the ball joint. Depending on how it was all designed this could cause an issue.
 

KRUISR

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Those struts are awfully long below the spindle mount bolts. Best and easiest answer would be different struts. Most struts stop just below the lower spindle mount bolt.

 
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hassler

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AeroCoupe said:
So it looks like the control arms have Fox ball joints and SN95 spindles. I am only guessing this due to the washer stack on the top of the spindle and below the castle but if the ball joint. Depending on how it was all designed this could cause an issue.
Click to expand...
think I need matching qa1 control arms, and possibly longer ball joints. Not sure
 
H

hassler

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Noobz347 said:
I would try loosening the lower mount bolts and let the suspension weight try an pull it down. There might be some slop in the bolt holes.

You might also find a tiny bit of room in the K-member mount bolts.

Does it do the same thing on both sides?
Click to expand...

Does this image help? It may be the wrong struts. It almost looks like the struts could go up in the boot/collar but it’s crooked.
 
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Noobz347

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That looks horrible man. Like, dangerously horrible.

I think @KRUISR hit the nail on the head.
 

Mustang5L5

That is…until I whipped out my Bissell
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I'm with @KRUISR here. Those strut bodies are way too low. It's like the collar is slipping.

Different angle I know but this is how mine sits on MM stuff. Body is way higher




 
H

hassler

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Mustang5L5 said:
I'm with @KRUISR here. Those strut bodies are way too low. It's like the collar is slipping.

Different angle I know but this is how mine sits on MM stuff. Body is way higher




Click to expand...
Yeah I tried moving the collar down and doesn’t seem to want to go. It’s possible the guy who did this used the wrong struts.

My question is, what is the best & most cost effective fix? Use the same spring on a new strut? Or a whole new kit?
 

KRUISR

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Pull the wheel and the strut. If I am not mistaken it looks like the spindle mount section may be threaded on. You might be able to spin the mount closer to the end of the strut, probably can't go too far but 1-1.5" might solve your problem. The hex head on the bottom of the strut and what looks like a thread coming out from the spindle mount bracket. You will then need to adjust your lower spring perch lower as well to maintain your current ride height.

If you can't adjust, you will need new struts. The springs should be fine on any coilover strut.
 
H

hassler

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KRUISR said:
Pull the wheel and the strut. If I am not mistaken it looks like the spindle mount section may be threaded on. You might be able to spin the mount closer to the end of the strut, probably can't go too far but 1-1.5" might solve your problem. The hex head on the bottom of the strut and what looks like a thread coming out from the spindle mount bracket. You will then need to adjust your lower spring perch lower as well to maintain your current ride height.

If you can't adjust, you will need new struts. The springs should be fine on any coilover strut.
Click to expand...
I’m convinced the collar can move down. But I’ve spun it a few times and it’s not gaining any space.
 
H

hassler

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KRUISR said:
Pull the wheel and the strut. If I am not mistaken it looks like the spindle mount section may be threaded on. You might be able to spin the mount closer to the end of the strut, probably can't go too far but 1-1.5" might solve your problem. The hex head on the bottom of the strut and what looks like a thread coming out from the spindle mount bracket. You will then need to adjust your lower spring perch lower as well to maintain your current ride height.

If you can't adjust, you will need new struts. The springs should be fine on any coilover strut.
Click to expand...
Will the other hardware work or be needed from the current strut?
 

KRUISR

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Depends on the replacement strut. If you get a QA1 strut only, probably all other hardware works. If you get another brand, maybe it does, maybe it doesn't. Not sure. My coil overs are the sleeve that fits over a standard type strut so I have no experience with the threaded struts.

You could also reach out to QA1 with pics and ask if they have a solution. Can't hurt.
 
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hassler

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KRUISR said:
Depends on the replacement strut. If you get a QA1 strut only, probably all other hardware works. If you get another brand, maybe it does, maybe it doesn't. Not sure. My coil overs are the sleeve that fits over a standard type strut so I have no experience with the threaded struts.

You could also reach out to QA1 with pics and ask if they have a solution. Can't hurt.
Click to expand...
I’ve spoken with about every rep there at this point. They aren’t sure since my models are older. There’s one guy who responded to my email that knows his stuff, but I can’t get a hold of him. Taken the struts off entirely, talked to about 5 different places. Due diligence is done think I just need to take the hit and buy a new QA1 coilover kit for the front as opposed to trying to mismatch parts and experiment my way to success. Unfortunate but the easiest way out
 
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