Suspension Rebuild Begins...And then some | Page 4 | FerrariChat
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Suspension Rebuild Begins...And then some

Discussion in '308/328' started by jimshadow, Mar 16, 2008.

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  1. jimshadow

    jimshadow F1 Veteran
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    #76 jimshadow, Apr 12, 2008
    Every thing came on Thursday! I have everything I need right now. I'm on Family duty today/tonight so I've only finished the drivers side. Ill be back out there when this basketball game is over and early in the AM. I want to be driving this thing next weekend!!!!

    Jim
     
  2. jimshadow

    jimshadow F1 Veteran
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    #77 jimshadow, Apr 13, 2008
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    Well, it's late but I wanted to post some pictures of my progress today.

    I started out basically nothing under the front wheel wells and now I have everything nearly back together!!!
    Everything went really smooth. No major problems....

    I bought the 'thrust bearing' kits for the front and rear shocks. These are going to make it very nice to adjust the shocks if needed.

    Today when I wake up my plan is to connect the brake lines, bleed the brakes and install the rear shocks. Once that is done I can have the alignment done and I'm off to the races!!! Very excited. :)

    Enjoy the pics!

    JIM
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  3. jimshadow

    jimshadow F1 Veteran
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    #78 jimshadow, Apr 13, 2008
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
  4. fastradio

    fastradio F1 Rookie
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    #79 fastradio, Apr 13, 2008
    Jim,

    I'm confused and intrigued by the problem you came across using the Poly bushings versus the OE ones. The height difference between the bushings really should have any material difference on the installation or rack position, as the overall compressed height is really set by the spacer collar. Once the hardware is tightened to the torque specs, your "height" is set by the collar and not the bushing. The spacer collar is essential, else you can under-compress or over-compress the bushings. Am I missing something here? You do have the spacer collars installed, Yes?

    As you know, concurrently, I did this same modification to my BB rack mounts...and had no issues with column alignment. Granted, I do have a bit more space to work with than you...

    Inquiring minds need to know more. Thanks Jim!

    Regards,
    David
     
  5. jimshadow

    jimshadow F1 Veteran
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    #80 jimshadow, Apr 13, 2008
    David,

    I should've taken better pictures and for this I apologize. I did use the spacer collars, however with the poly bushings, they just did not compress down like the rubber ones. I had the rack in and out no less than 6 times. I just could not make those work. In the end I was tired of having my hands shredded to bits and the rubber ones put the mounts right where they needed to be.

    JIM
     
  6. Pizzaman Chris

    Pizzaman Chris F1 Rookie

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    #81 Pizzaman Chris, Apr 13, 2008
    Jim,

    You're going in a great pace. Great work buddy.:)






    And i thought you would have been done in the Fall. :eek:
     
  7. jimshadow

    jimshadow F1 Veteran
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    #82 jimshadow, Apr 13, 2008
    Thanks Chris! I'm wanting to actually drive the car this spring/summer, so I'm working as fast as I can. :)

    JIM
     
  8. jimshadow

    jimshadow F1 Veteran
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    #83 jimshadow, Apr 13, 2008
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    Well, I was clipping right along today thinking that I was going to accomplish my goal, HOWEVER.....

    I've found that the new style dustcap does not want to fit properly. The ID/OD appears to be the same as the original, but there must be just enough of a difference to make it too snug. (I don't have calipers handy...) I'll have to figure this one out. Other than that the front suspension is FINISHED!!!!

    I put the dustcap issue aside and started to work on the rears. Things were a little to snug to get the original shocks out, so I had to remove the upper A-Arm to maneuver it out. All in all not too bad, HOWEVER.....
    I found that someone put improper sized bolts through the upper and lower shock mounts. Not a big deal except they will not go through the Unobtanium Supply bushings that I bought. Only 1 of the bolts were properly sized, so I'll have to order 4 new ones. Not a big deal, it just sets me back a day or two. The last thing that I found was that the long bolt thru the A-Arm was stripped pretty bad. Someone used a coarse bolt on this fine threaded piece. It's mangled pretty bad. That will get replaced as well.

    Sooo...I just have to mount the rear shocks, bleed the brakes, set my ride height and have an alignment done. I'm getting close... :)

    JIM
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  9. Hans

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    #84 Hans, Apr 14, 2008
    Congrats on your progress Jim!

    Sorry that i could not be of more help with the lenghteners, as you've clearly beaten me to that!

    So... how did they work out for you?

    Looking forward to hearing of your findings once everything has been put back together!

    Take care,

    Hans
     
  10. jimshadow

    jimshadow F1 Veteran
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    #85 jimshadow, Apr 14, 2008
    No problem! The shocks were very easy to put together. I'm going down to the local fastener supply house to see if they have the shock bolts that I need. If not, then I'll order them and have them overnighted. I'd REALLY like to have this completed this week.

    JIM
     
  11. jimshadow

    jimshadow F1 Veteran
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    #86 jimshadow, Apr 14, 2008
    I took the shock bolts down to the local supply house along with the AL. bolt that is shown in the shock above. The hardened bolt is actually a 1/2" bolt vs. the 12x1.25 that it SHOULD be. Someone OBVIOUSLY took some shortcuts! The other thing is that I've come across a couple bolts in this project where there was no regard given to fine vs. coarse threads. I've had to replace a couple VERY stripped bolts. Luckily they all came off easily. :) Unfortunately, the supply house did not have a suitable replacement. SOOOO.....A quick call to GT Car Parts this AM and I'll have my replacements tomorrow. 4 shock bolts and 1 A-Arm bolt that was mangled pretty bad at the threads.
    I'm still hopeful that I'll get her all back together and aligned by the weekend.

    JIM
     
  12. jimshadow

    jimshadow F1 Veteran
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    #87 jimshadow, Apr 14, 2008
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    Part of this rebuild includes the modification of the front spindles to better accomodate my 328 wheels. Earlier I had posted pictures of the 2 styles of dustcaps. Well, I've found that the newer style dustcap does indeed need some modifications. So....after some light reading and a REALLY good beverage, it was out to the garage to do some pounding and grinding. When my Step-Dad passed away I got 1st dibs on his tools. Unfortunately, his unbelievable hammer collection is still on his workbench. :( I did the best I could with mine. The mod works and the horsey emblem fits nicely. Now its off to the other side.
    (The toolbox pic is showing off my QA1 sticker...)

    JIM
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  13. jimshadow

    jimshadow F1 Veteran
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    #88 jimshadow, Apr 15, 2008
    REAR SHOCKS ARE ON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Pics tomorrow. :)

    All I have to do is put things back together, mod the pass. side dust cap, set the ride height and have her aligned!!!


    WHOOO HOOOO!!!!!

    JIM
     
  14. jimshadow

    jimshadow F1 Veteran
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    #89 jimshadow, Apr 16, 2008
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    1st pic is of the rear shock. Both are on now. I'll have the alignment shop torque the A-Arm's while there.

    I got my brakes bled tonight along with the front wheels on. I'm going to have to do a tiny bit more in the way of modifying the dust cap on the drivers side to get the horsey emblem to fit. I don't want to lose one...they're expensive! :)

    Last pic is of the front wheels on. I'm going to pop off the steering joints as the toe is fairly off! I'll get it as close as I can because I have to drive it about 10miles to the alignment shop.
    All that's left to do is to put on the newly repaired lower valence (I pick it up tomorrow) and the rear fenderwells and wheels then I can drop her to the ground!!!

    :)

    JIM
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  15. b27

    b27 F1 World Champ

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    #90 b27, Apr 17, 2008
    Its coming up to your driving season now isn't it? Would it be spring over there now?
     
  16. jimshadow

    jimshadow F1 Veteran
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    #91 jimshadow, Apr 17, 2008
    Oh yeah! I've missed several nice days already, including yesterday, today and probablly all this coming weekend. :(
    I was supposed to have the alignment done Friday, but the shop has to push it back to Tuesday now...:( :( :(

    JIM
     
  17. eulk328

    eulk328 F1 Rookie

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    #92 eulk328, Apr 17, 2008
    Why would you pop off the steering joints?
     
  18. jimshadow

    jimshadow F1 Veteran
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    #93 jimshadow, Apr 19, 2008
    Rod ends....man I shouldn't type when I'm tired!!! :)

    JIM
     
  19. jimshadow

    jimshadow F1 Veteran
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    #94 jimshadow, Apr 19, 2008
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    She's DONE!!!!!!!! 32 days. That's all it took. I could cut that down to a week if I had to do it all over again. :)

    On Friday evening I lowered her off of the jackstands. What a moment. :) I did run into a problem at that point, however. As soon as she hit the ground, the front shocks sank all the way down. Not a pretty sight. Front wheels almost all the way up in the fenderwells! Long story short, I forgot to pre-load the springs. <DOH!>
    As a data point, I have my front springs set at the 12th thread from the bottom. (Not sure the measurement, however its 12 threads.)
    Once I figured out that was the problem, it was an easy fix. Man am I glad that I bought the bearing kit for the spring perches!!!!
    I have the toe set VERY close and the only thing that I need to do is to set the rear ride height approx 1/4 in lower. That and an alignment on Tuesday and I'll be ready for the driving season!!!!!!!!!!!
    Note that I have the front spoiler finished and it looks great!!!
    Enjoy!

    JIM
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  20. Pizzaman Chris

    Pizzaman Chris F1 Rookie

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    #95 Pizzaman Chris, Apr 20, 2008
    Wow, i thought you wouldn't be done til the end of summer. :)






    Now go out and DRIVE!
     
  21. eulk328

    eulk328 F1 Rookie

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    #96 eulk328, Apr 20, 2008

    Looking very nice! Love the paint and wax job :)


    Still lost on the steering joint/rod ends thing though..... if it's to adjust toe as you mentioned you normally loosen a couple lock nuts on the tie rod ends and then turn the tie rod to lengthen or shorten (adjust toe) and then lock the nuts tight again. That's the only system I've seen on cars. Maybe it's different on GT4's.
     
  22. jimshadow

    jimshadow F1 Veteran
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    #97 jimshadow, Apr 20, 2008
    You are exactly right. I was very tired in that previous post and mistyped....:)

    JIM
     
  23. eulk328

    eulk328 F1 Rookie

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    #98 eulk328, Apr 20, 2008

    Me thinks you may have been celebrating the success of completing this big job ;-) At least a bottle of bubbly. If not, shame on you!
     
  24. TURBOQV

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    #99 TURBOQV, Apr 20, 2008

    Nice job and congrats. I am doing the same thing to mine. 32 days is not bad for a DIY. I am going on 3 months now, but back ordered Eibachs and cracked A-Arms have contributed to that.

    Enjoy your beautiful car.

    Paul
     
  25. Tifoso

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    #100 Tifoso, Apr 20, 2008
    Jim, that amount of drop sounds perfect to me - just creep along to your local low-riders event.... Congrats on a job well done! It's going to feel like a new car, for sure.
     
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