New parts are on Koni, strano, & UMI panhard bar
04-18-2009, 10:14 PM
#1
New parts are on Koni, strano, & UMI panhard bar Updated new pictures
We'll I just finished installing strano springs, koni 4/3's, and UMI rod/poly phb.
The rears went really we'll without problem. The fronts I took off and had "the biz" a member on here to do the spring compressing....thanks! All went well until trying to get the front lower shock bolts to line up with the shocks. The first side was a pain in the ***....it was very close to lining up and probably could have hammered the bolt through but I didn't want to chance messing up the threads on the bolt. So after messing with jacking the lower A-arm and using a pry-bar underneath the shock I was finally able to get the bolts in easy. It ended up scratching a decent amount of paint off the bottom of the shock which I didn't like but I never drive in the rain so it shouldn't be a problem, plus it is on the very bottom so it can't be seen anyway
I had every intention of not posting any feed back until I had a chance to drive the car for awhile. But after a short drive I cannot help but to make a post.
The car is completely different than how it was before. I'm the first owner of the car and only has 28,000 miles and from day one I was never impressed with how it drove and handled. That has now changed!! The car is 100% better. It is much more responsive and predictable....it just flat out drives great now. As expected the ride is a little more stiff but you feel in control and by no means is it too rough. Before the car never felt stable and planted to the road like it does now. This is the way the car should have came from the factory and I cannot wait to get it aligned so I can put some miles on it.
As an added bonus it looks much better. I'll get some better pictures in a couple of days.
Once I get it aligned and some more miles on it I report back with more info.
A big thumps up to Sam, UMI, and Koni for make some great products
We'll I just finished installing strano springs, koni 4/3's, and UMI rod/poly phb.
The rears went really we'll without problem. The fronts I took off and had "the biz" a member on here to do the spring compressing....thanks! All went well until trying to get the front lower shock bolts to line up with the shocks. The first side was a pain in the ***....it was very close to lining up and probably could have hammered the bolt through but I didn't want to chance messing up the threads on the bolt. So after messing with jacking the lower A-arm and using a pry-bar underneath the shock I was finally able to get the bolts in easy. It ended up scratching a decent amount of paint off the bottom of the shock which I didn't like but I never drive in the rain so it shouldn't be a problem, plus it is on the very bottom so it can't be seen anyway
I had every intention of not posting any feed back until I had a chance to drive the car for awhile. But after a short drive I cannot help but to make a post.
The car is completely different than how it was before. I'm the first owner of the car and only has 28,000 miles and from day one I was never impressed with how it drove and handled. That has now changed!! The car is 100% better. It is much more responsive and predictable....it just flat out drives great now. As expected the ride is a little more stiff but you feel in control and by no means is it too rough. Before the car never felt stable and planted to the road like it does now. This is the way the car should have came from the factory and I cannot wait to get it aligned so I can put some miles on it.
As an added bonus it looks much better. I'll get some better pictures in a couple of days.
Once I get it aligned and some more miles on it I report back with more info.
A big thumps up to Sam, UMI, and Koni for make some great products
Last edited by ws6pewter; 04-22-2009 at 09:17 PM.
04-18-2009, 10:22 PM
#2
you suck. Im still waiting for my front koni's to come in. Hope to soon have exact same setup plus a few more goodies, UMI torque arm and lower control arms. Your car looks great with the drop and glad to hear another very satisfied customer of Sams. I cant wait
Your stock shocks look more at home now
Your stock shocks look more at home now
04-19-2009, 10:48 AM
#3
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Great to hear about another satisfied Strano/Koni owner. I've had mine for a year and still rave to all my friends about this suspension.
Just a suggestion but you should try adding Sam's Hollow swaybars aswell, it makes for a truly impressive setup.
Just a suggestion but you should try adding Sam's Hollow swaybars aswell, it makes for a truly impressive setup.
04-19-2009, 12:06 PM
#7
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We'll I just finished installing strano springs, koni 4/3's, and UMI rod/poly phb.
The fronts I took off and had "the biz" a member on here to do the spring compressing....thanks! All went well until trying to get the front lower shock bolts to line up with the shocks. The first side was a pain in the ***....it was very close to lining up and probably could have hammered the bolt through but I didn't want to chance messing up the threads on the bolt. So after messing with jacking the lower A-arm and using a pry-bar underneath the shock I was finally able to get the bolts in easy. It ended up scratching a decent amount of paint off the bottom of the shock which I didn't like but I never drive in the rain so it shouldn't be a problem, plus it is on the very bottom so it can't be seen anyway
The fronts I took off and had "the biz" a member on here to do the spring compressing....thanks! All went well until trying to get the front lower shock bolts to line up with the shocks. The first side was a pain in the ***....it was very close to lining up and probably could have hammered the bolt through but I didn't want to chance messing up the threads on the bolt. So after messing with jacking the lower A-arm and using a pry-bar underneath the shock I was finally able to get the bolts in easy. It ended up scratching a decent amount of paint off the bottom of the shock which I didn't like but I never drive in the rain so it shouldn't be a problem, plus it is on the very bottom so it can't be seen anyway
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04-20-2009, 08:58 AM
#11
Hey guys I thought I would throw this out here.
The other night when I put the panhard bar (before the shocks and springs) on and took it for a drive I noticed if I turn the car hard to the left while going anywhere from 20-50 mph I get a noise from there rear. The best way I can describe is it sounds like a very light tire rub but there is no tire rub that I can tell. Could this be added road noise from the panhard bar? It is the poly/rod combo. I wouldn't think so but thought I would ask.
I've only driven the car once since last year and didn't make any hard turns...so I have a feeling this is a pre-existing problem that I didn't notice. My gut feeling it is either an axle bearing or something in the differential even though the car is a 02 with only 28k miles. But the last 2 years I've only put 1k miles on it so it sits a lot and might have something to do with it.
If all else fails I might throw the factory wheels back on and see if the noise is still there just in case it is a very light tire rub that I cannot locate on the tire or fender. It's a lot easier to trouble shoot tire rubbing than ripping the rear end apart
The other night when I put the panhard bar (before the shocks and springs) on and took it for a drive I noticed if I turn the car hard to the left while going anywhere from 20-50 mph I get a noise from there rear. The best way I can describe is it sounds like a very light tire rub but there is no tire rub that I can tell. Could this be added road noise from the panhard bar? It is the poly/rod combo. I wouldn't think so but thought I would ask.
I've only driven the car once since last year and didn't make any hard turns...so I have a feeling this is a pre-existing problem that I didn't notice. My gut feeling it is either an axle bearing or something in the differential even though the car is a 02 with only 28k miles. But the last 2 years I've only put 1k miles on it so it sits a lot and might have something to do with it.
If all else fails I might throw the factory wheels back on and see if the noise is still there just in case it is a very light tire rub that I cannot locate on the tire or fender. It's a lot easier to trouble shoot tire rubbing than ripping the rear end apart
Last edited by ws6pewter; 04-20-2009 at 09:06 AM.
04-20-2009, 07:52 PM
#12
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Car looks good man, I'm currently in the process of doing the same thing only with 4/4s, strano's, umi panhard, and umi lca's. I just have stock wheels on mine right now but hope the stance looks close to yours.
04-20-2009, 09:21 PM
#15
Nice! I went with the Koni 4/4 and sway bars from Stano as well but opted for 550/175 Ground Control coil overs to be able to get the ride height I was perfectly rather than hoping whatever springs I get leave me where I'd like it. Although the Strano Springs do give you a nice stance.
04-23-2009, 11:41 AM
#17
TECH Addict
Also for future reference, masking tape helps keep you from scratching the shock up during installation. I scratched up my Tokicos a good bit and don't really care, but when I eventually get Konis, care shall be given!
