I think the easiest solution is to make a thicker sleeve with an ID that is closer to the OD of the shock. Additionally, a hard mount that extended slightly inside the top of the spring and mounted within the OEM top hat would help center things up. I picture a hard rubber mount that has the dimensions of the bottom side of the top hat and a deep groove for this new hard mount that I suggested. Physically "tying" the ends of the springs to the suspension would perform the same feat of not letting the spring shift around during handling manuvers.
This is all I can show you until I have time to take it apart tomorrow:
I didn't use the o-rings at all, and I do not have the Koni adapter. I used the rubber collars provided to hold the collar firmly over the strut. I don't have any type of extra rubber sleeve over the dust cover. I also cut my bump stops; I read the threads Jason linked to above and saw Billy recommend against cutting the bump stops. Has anyone had problems with their cut bump stops? If so, I will order some new ones.
First - your dustboot looks as if it is moving around because it's not parallel to the shaft. How did you install the dustboot?
Also, you don't have the GC provided rubber sleeve between the upper mount and the spring. This is the best picture I could find of the rubber sleeves... they are the black round things on the top of the spring...
You stated that you don't have the Koni Adaptor, however, that sleeve that you put between the threaded collar and the shock IS the adaptor.
Originally posted by Mugenlude First - your dustboot looks as if it is moving around because it's not parallel to the shaft. How did you install the dustboot?
Yeah, that is what I was talking about in my earlier statement. I think it got knocked out of whack when the car was too low and the dust boot was hitting the top of the strut. I haven't had a chance to take the assembly apart and inspect it, but I'm guessing the top of the dust boot is just bent and I should be able to beat it back flat with a hammer. I installed the shocks just the way I had them with the Neuspeed springs before (white plastic washer, bump stop, thick washer, dust boot, thick washer, tophat w/rubber bushing). The only exception is that I cut off half of the dust boots and bump stops on all 4 corners.
Quote:
Also, you don't have the GC provided rubber sleeve between the upper mount and the spring. This is the best picture I could find of the rubber sleeves... they are the black round things on the top of the spring...
I bought these used off of Charlie. I got the 4 springs, 4 threaded collars with the adjustable perch, 4 o-rings, and 4 cylindrical rubber sleeves with one slit down the side (to make it easier to slide around the strut, I presume). I don't have the rubber sleeves at the top of that picture
Quote:
You stated that you don't have the Koni Adaptor, however, that sleeve that you put between the threaded collar and the shock IS the adaptor.
The Koni adapter is just a rubber collar that fits around the strut? From the posts I read about it, I assumed it was a replacement piece for the stock perch that had some sort of collar that held the threaded collar in position
Originally posted by JoeW The Koni adapter is just a rubber collar that fits around the strut? From the posts I read about it, I assumed it was a replacement piece for the stock perch that had some sort of collar that held the threaded collar in position
Joe, you're right.
Ok...I just pulled out my GC "Hepful Installation Tips" and now see exactly what you mean by the "rubber sleeves" (or "split urethan sleeves"). Those should work fine, so ignor my previous comments about needing the Koni adapters.
The rubber piece in the upper mount is referred to as the "insulator" or "isolator". I'm not sure how critical it is to have the GC isolator as long as you have the stock ones in its place. I wouldn't worry about it...just experiment with the setup you have now...you can always add them later if needed. Either way, if the stock one is already in the top mount, you shouldn't be having grinding/squeeking sounds coming from there.
As Mugenlude commented...your dust boot is totally wacked. If you can't fix it..I say take it off.
My bet is that all your sounds are coming from the wacked dust boot or the spring rubbing against the threaded collars. Both of these can be fixed.
If you want to talk to someone at GC about your setup, don't just talk with the guys answering the phones. Most don't know sh!t. Ask to speak with Tony and tell him you were referred by other PO members. He knows his stuff and was very helpful when I did my install.
Oh yeah, almost forgot about the bump stops. I cut mine down some (not quite half though). It is not recommended because they actually protect the struts from blowing when bottoming out. The only problem with not cutting them is that it prevents droping real low (slammed) and may affect ride quality some if you always riding on the bump stops. I have about a two finger gap (not slammed at all) and I'm almost riding on my bumps as it is. I guess it all depends on how low you want to go.
well.... i fixed mine just by rotating the GC spring by trial and error and got rid of the sqeaky noise that was comming from the front left wheel....
the front GC is grinded just like in the pictures...
Here is what the front passenger dust boot looked like
Here was the rear passenger dust boot (both sides looked like this)
the only thing bent up on the rears was the plastic shroud. The metal wasn't touched, so I cut the plastic shroud down to the length of the metal boot.
I did as a few people recommended and swapped the front & rear threaded collars, then cut the fronts down a few inches. I went for a short test drive, and everything feels good. There is no rubbing and the noises are gone so far, except for a rattle somewhere in the trunk. I thought I had the jack secured, so I'm not sure what is rattling, but it isn't very loud at all.
one of my rear dustboots looks more jacked up than that, like the metal got pinched by the spring or something. my rears creak all day... my solution is to turn the stereo up at least its not shock knock...
i too have some of the rubbing at the top of the drivers side rear collar, but i think it is from the f'ed up dustboot... i really ought to take it out *shrug*
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at least its not shock knock...
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