Ready for Coilover Install

So I have a shiny new (to me, at least) set of Ground Controls w/ KYB AGXs and FCM bumpstops sitting in a box in my garage. Strangely enough, they haven't made my car ride or handle any better. So think it's time to see if things will improve once I actually INSTALL them. :rolleyes:

So what's a realistic guess for how long it will take to do the install? I will be re-using my current top mounts, so I will have to disassemble the current ones once they come off the car. Is it realistic to do it in an evening or two, if I'm working alone and haven't done this before?

Do you guys recommend the "long bolt" method or the "big hammer" method?

Anyone interested in a tech day/evening?

Thanks,

C

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Originally Posted by CraiginTX

Do you guys recommend the "long bolt" method or the "big hammer" method?

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I think most of us use the San Diego Miata Club method... Less dramatic than the BFH.

It generally takes about 3-4 hours if you have a group of people due to the miscellaneous breaks for bs, beer and trying to find the wrench that somebody stuck in their back pocket before they went home to feed the dog.

A litte more descriptive location than "Mayberry" in your profile might help us in deciding who gets to volunteer a tech day... :-)

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Originally Posted by tailchaser

A litte more descriptive location than "Mayberry" in your profile might help us in deciding who gets to volunteer a tech day... :-)

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He's inTX duh.

Looks like Mayberry (Eastland) is about half way to Abilene. Or if you go with Bastrop, TX, it's a little ways east for Austin. So which one is it?

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Originally Posted by tailchaser

A litte more descriptive location than "Mayberry" in your profile might help us in deciding who gets to volunteer a tech day... :-)

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Err... Yeah... I'm in Richardson near 190 and Custer (Canyon Creek for those of you familiar with the area)

Craig - and yes, I'm in Texas:D

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Originally Posted by CraiginTX

Err... Yeah... I'm in Richardson near 190 and Custer (Canyon Creek for those of you familiar with the area)

Craig - and yes, I'm in Texas:D

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Hey TC... looks like you are the one that gets to volunteer a tech day! :D :D :D

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Originally Posted by Titus

Hey TC... looks like you are the one that gets to volunteer a tech day! :D :D :D

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Yup... sure does... and the weather is good for it, too! Actually... I think I may have already offered my garage to Craig for the shock swap at a Wednesday night thing.

Well if UPS is any sort of reliable my AGXs are coming in tommorow morning to accompany my *cringe* Jackson Racing springs *uncringe*, so I'm probably doing my install tommorow afternoon.

I'm in Richardson too! Spring Valley and Plano rd.


Tailchaser - Firefly freaking rocked didn't it?

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Originally Posted by tailchaser

Yup... sure does... and the weather is good for it, too! Actually... I think I may have already offered my garage to Craig for the shock swap at a Wednesday night thing.

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Indeed, you did. Just wanted to float the idea and see if a) you still wanted to do that and b) is there was any interest in a gathering

My garage could work as well, though probably not until after Labor Day weekend - it's currently configured as a spray booth for some house painting projects. (The :queen: is sure that home improvement takes precedence over suspension install - go figure)

If it's going to be elsewhere, I can bring myself, the car, a somewhat limited set of tools, perhaps another set of hands. BEvERages and pizza could be provided as well, I suspect. Could do it almost any evening or the weekend after Labor Day (see above).

Yup. I rarely mind doing a shock swap as its fairly painless... Unless you find out AFTER you get it stuck in the wheel well that one of the pre-assembled shocks and spring assemblies that were rumored to have just been pulled off another (presumably driveable) car are about 20 degrees off kilter...

I'm glad I'm not the one that stepped on Jack's head...

If you've done them a few times the job can be done in about 1 hour!:D

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Originally Posted by icepenguin66

If you've done them a few times the job can be done in about 1 hour!:D

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Yeah... I said that last time... and I tells ya... I'm never saying that out loud again!

Did I magically miss a day/time for this? I definitely want to stop in to watch and/or help, as I've never replaced Miata suspension bits and have coilovers waiting for some attention.

How 'bout next Wed after work? TC? Shock swap then head over to the weekly gathering? (It's the optimist in me - can't help but figure we'll be finished at a reasonable hour...:D )

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Originally Posted by CraiginTX

How 'bout next Wed after work? TC? Shock swap then head over to the weekly gathering? (It's the optimist in me - can't help but figure we'll be finished at a reasonable hour...:D )

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Next Wednesday looks good. I'll stick a sticky note on my spring compressors to make sure I don't loan them out.

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Originally Posted by tailchaser

Next Wednesday looks good. I'll stick a sticky note on my spring compressors to make sure I don't loan them out.

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Hey, can I borrow your spring compressors? Thanks! ::Clown::

ugh... I'm working 5am shifts next week. Count me out on this one, guys.

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Originally Posted by tailchaser

I'm glad I'm not the one that stepped on Jack's head...

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I wonder who could be so rude as to kick an innocent man in the head:confused:

Arrgh! ::Censor:: The box with the coilovers in it has started mocking me as I walk through the garage...

No way I can make it tomorow night - between the kids and work, I'll be swamped until late. In fact, it looks like Wednesdays are out for around the next month or so. I will find time at some point - thanks for the offer of the garage and spring compressors, TC.

I'll post up if I can find some free time some evening...

Craig

:confused:

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Originally Posted by CraiginTX

Arrgh! ::Censor:: The box with the coilovers in it has started mocking me as I walk through the garage...

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The longer you wait... the more they will mock you... coilovers can be nasty about that...

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Originally Posted by CraiginTX

This gift horse has bad teeth.

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S.

I'm about to buy the same thing. Hopefully next weekend.

I have the Ground Controls with AGX 8-ways. I used the OEM bumpstops uncut. With the car as low as it is, the rear suspension always hit the bump stops. The FM rear shock hats took care of this problem. I never hit the bumpstops and they are still uncut.

My ride is firm and can be a bit bouncey on the street but many drivers feel my car is very nice on the track. (Merv and Gary both have driven my car and commented on it.) My setup is not nearly as nice as the Tiens probably are but when I got my setup, the Tiens were not readily available.

If ya'll still wanna do a shock install tonight I have some AGXs and JR springs sitting in my room wanting to be put in!