I'm not sure if this qualifies as a "new product announcement" since it's not really done yet but I need some guiney pigs to help test out a solution to the binding spring issue with the newer style front strut mounts and the Ground Control/RK Sport coilover design.
I've designed some strut mount inserts that limit the amount of movement in the strut rod to prevent the top hat from binding with the mount. This solution allows enough movement to prevent the rod from being unduly stressed (this is why we can't just have a solid mount) but returns it to it's centered position after it flexes.
I'm sure many of you have noticed the rubber being pressed out from around the edges of the mount. This insert will prevent that as well so it may be of some value even to people without coilovers. That's up to them to decide though.
What I need right now is 10 people to test out the first batch of inserts being made.
There's a bit of give and take on this deal.
The advantage for you is that you get the solution first and at a discount. The disadvantage is that if it doesn't end up being a viable long-term solution then you'll be the first to know and be out $20 as I won't be giving any refunds or anything.
Now I think you guys know me well enough to know that I wouldn't try and push something I didn't think would work and this is no exception. There are currently 3 prototype sets made and 2 are installed and working. The third set will likely go into service in the next few weeks but i'm not positive on that yet. I'm testing out two different hardnesses of urethane to figure out which to use for the first production batch.
In both installed cases, the binding has been completely eliminated. No more embarassing noises when pulling out of parking spots or into driveways. None. My suspension is silent right now and I'm loving it!
So what I need now are 10 more people to test them out. Only 10 and no more for this trial run. They'll be $20 USD ($25 CAD) + shipping per set.
I only want people who are currently having issues with their kits binding and only if you have proper coilovers. You must have the Ground Control or RK Sport top hat, bearing, and brass washers installed. If people with other setups want to try them out later then they'll be welcome to buy them but for this trial, I really want to know whether they work for what they're designed for in every installation.
This isn't a GP. This is a test run. If these 10 people are happy with the results, I'll have more produced and they'll be for sale at $30 USD ($37 CAD) per set so I can make a couple dollars for my labour. These have to be hand machined since it's a damn fortune to get a mold made to mass produce them.
Anyhow, let me know if you're interested and hell, even once we have 10 people signed up for the pilot post something to say you want some so I can determine whether there's even a market for these things.
And if any of the companies here would want to buy in bulk or something, get in touch with me and we'll talk. I'd be just as happy not having to distribute them myself when there are already established companies who can do a better job of it.
So that's it. And I'm really hoping some of the trial people are in the Toronto area so I can perhaps install them myself and see the immediate results.
I figured out the 2000 mounts back in 2000. DIdnt seem to hard to me and it was free.
And my Weapon-Rs had bearings just like your GCs and RKs
I am all that is man
do you take money orders?
see ya!
I cut off the lower portion of the mount that was touching the hats.
Worked great for me the three years I had coilovers. BUt you cant go back to using springs unless you buy new mounts.
I am all that is man
novaracer wrote:do you take money orders?
heh... As per the GP's I've run... I pretty much ONLY take money orders.
I don't use Paypal and have no method of accepting credit card payments.
You can be damn sure I won't be running off with anyone's money though. Too many people know where I live... hehe.
-ESB- wrote:I cut off the lower portion of the mount that was touching the hats.
Worked great for me the three years I had coilovers. BUt you cant go back to using springs unless you buy new mounts.
I've tried that, several times actually to different degrees until the current state where they're completely ground flat, and it didn't work in the long run. The design of the top hats is such that they protrude up into the mount so it's not just the lip on the bottom that causes problems. Grinding it off only served to create a sharp surface to cut into the sides of the top hats.
Here's the HowTo I've been working on for a couple years now (which isn't linked from my HowTo site since it never worked properly).
http://www.wildweasel.ca/j-body/HowTo/2kstrutmountmod.asp
I read the whole thing, and I am assuming this is just for 00+ mounts?
Yes, this is only for 00-05 mounts. There are other solutions for the 95-99 mounts and these inserts wouldn't fit them.
Sry, after all that reading I forgot what the topic name was.
Are 00+ mounts cheaper than 95-99 mounts? I know the Monroe strut mate 95-99 is $50 per mount. I ask this because soon I will be changing suspension on my 03 and will need new mounts. Prob going w the ground controls or rks sleeves.
Why do you need new mounts? What's wrong with the ones you've got?
The suspension is older than the car. I'm pretty sure it has 95-99 mounts on it. If the 00+ mounts are considerably cheaper I'd check out your setup.
they are actually way more expensive. i just changed mine and was considering going with the older style because of the cost difference. i believe 95-99 are around $60 CDN and the 00-05 mounts are like $120 or more.
ECOSPEEDZ
Wild Weasel wrote:
I've tried that, several times actually to different degrees until the current state where they're completely ground flat, and it didn't work in the long run. The design of the top hats is such that they protrude up into the mount so it's not just the lip on the bottom that causes problems. Grinding it off only served to create a sharp surface to cut into the sides of the top hats.
Hmmm I ground the bottom down flat and never had problems after that.
ANyway. Hope this works out for yall.
I am all that is man
I just looked at the pic of yours that you ground down. Now I see why you said it still cut.
I ground mine down alot more than that.
<a href="http://www.imageshack.us"><img src="http://img101.exs.cx/img101/1278/coilover36xi.jpg" border="0" width="428" alt="Image Hosted by ImageShack.us" /></a>
THats how I ran mine. ANd I never had any problems out of them.
I am all that is man
That's dangerous though.
That inside plate is secured for a reason. You've cut so much out that it could literally seperate from the mount. There's no way I'd recommend anyone else do that!
What plate? THats the rubber insides of the mount.
And that insert still has alot left holding it in all the way around the inside of that mount. It dosnt just fall out.
I am all that is man
So... back to the topic at hand...
Does anyone need a solution? I mean... if there's no market for this then I won't bother spending the money to have them made.
im sure there is a market
but my guess is to many people are just dealing with it , and they dont venture in to the suspension fourm much
i know fstcav is a possible and ill post the link to this over on our local site , cause i know a few of the people here have had issues with their 00-up j's
SO.........I was on the topic.
You just dont like my answer because it makes you no money.
I am all that is man
-ESB- wrote:SO.........I was on the topic.
You just dont like my answer because it makes you no money.
No, I don't like your answer because I don't trust that it isn't dangerous.
But anyone else is welcome to form their own opinion.
As an added bonus though, my solution reduces play in the mount.
And I'm not making money off these first 10 sets. I just want to see if the solution works for everyone.
If it does, I'll make some money off them when I sell them for $30 per set.
if i was running coil overs and had that problem 30.00 isnt a unreasonable price
1 cav is still stock , and the other 2 have the pro kit on them , :/
not to mention if it didnt work , id just drive up to WW's place and take his s/c , LOL
ESB: Read through this thread.
http://www.j-body.org/forums/read.php?f=3&i=85106&t=84452
The issue he's having will actually be accentuated by the modification you've made to your mounts. Sure, the top hat wouldn't bind with the steel underside... but the steel underside also wouldn't prevent it from further buckling, throwing off his camber even more.
I don't have this problem with the TEINs so I guess you arn't talking about them.
I believe this is specific to the top hat/bearing design of the GC/RK setup when used with 00+ mounts.
Basically, if you have rubber pushing out around the top edges of your mount or can't drop a socket over your top nuts without first jacking the car then these will be of benefit to you.
Right now though, I just want people to test if it solves the binding issues.
Ok then... not a single person.
Is the issue that nobody wants to solve this problem, nobody has this problem, or nobody wants to test something that's not yet 100% proven?
