Apexi Coilover question

[gruk]

Hi everyone,

My MR2 came with a set of Apexi N1 2000 spec coilovers. They are adjustible, and the ride is currently very very firm. You definitely notice every bump on the road, and Wellington streets have many.
I've done some research into them, but there isn't a lot to read. This is a diagram for a 2005 set for a subaru:

Screen Shot 2018-12-08 at 9.13.49 PM.png (106.91 KiB) Viewed 4026 times

It's newer from mine, but also an N1 damper.
From the diagram I would assume that I turn the ride stiffness adjuster to the left to help soften things up.
However, mine doesn't have a nice little knob. It has a hex key hole and a bolt:

The hex size looks to be about 6.5ml - not a standard size in metric, so probably a 1/4 for imperical? Nothing I have fits snug enough for me to be willing to turn. I don't want to round anything off. It's quite firm, certainly not an easy turn.

Apexi do sell a hex key for this:
https://apexi-usa.com/catalogsearch/result/?q=hex&cat=

Also an adjuster top which may or may not fit my shocks. The problem here is that I can't purchase with an NZ credit card - their site get's upset as they only allow US addresses, and I can't use my YouShop address as my billing address. The website get's annoyed - AVS mismatch.

Alternatively there are other ways to adjust adjustable shocks:

I'm just not so experienced with any of this. I imagine that pushing the ride height up might help a little. I'm not sure what the bottom screw will do. I'm new to this suspension stuff
Is anyone able to offer some guidance?

Cheers,

James

[GDII]

These are probably always going to be stiffer than you want them to be. That's just how the design of these coilovers work. The damping is very stiff to go with the spring rate.

Not sure if you are able to bring it over to me tomorrow so I can have a look at them. I have imperial and metric hex keys which might help.

[Gleshlich]

Two main adjustments you can make.

1: Damping as you have pointed out with the hex key at the top
2: Spring rate preload. Loosen off the collar that sits against the spring. Make sure the spring is captive and then wind it approx 8-10mm. These collars are usually set quite tight. This sets the amount of spring force before the spring begins to compress (also the amount of droop you get going over bumps)

Alternatively you can swap the springs out for softer spring rates

[gruk]

Two main adjustments you can make.

1: Damping as you have pointed out with the hex key at the top
2: Spring rate preload. Loosen off the collar that sits against the spring. Make sure the spring is captive and then wind it approx 8-10mm. These collars are usually set quite tight. This sets the amount of spring force before the spring begins to compress (also the amount of droop you get going over bumps)

Alternatively you can swap the springs out for softer spring rates

Brilliant, thanks Justin. Heading off to meet Phil soon, we'll see how we get on with this.

[GDII]

Still not quite sure the exact method of adjusting the damping level of these. The is 6mm hex that turns(?) the centre part inside the main mounting nut that is worn out a bit hence the 6.5mm hex key suggestion. I didn't want to turn it as I wasn't sure what this did. There is also a 4mm hex inside the 6mm hex that is a little grub screw. Seemed like a little rubber plug under that and I'm also not sure what that does so left it.

As for the ride, I don't believe it is that stiff but it is very bouncy. Sure it will be stiffer than most lowering springs but could be a lot worse. Tyres seem to chirp on tight corners as the car moves around on the suspension but they are economy tyres. The dampers are either too stiff or worn out. Hard to tell what condition they are in without removing them from the car and taking the spring off. There is a bit of knocking in the left side struts but this could be swaybar links or ball joints too. The swaybar bushes were OK.

So based on this information what is the actual adjustment?