Suspension & Brakes Springs | Shocks | Handling | Rotors

Modifying Your Front Upper Shock Mount

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 08-11-2012, 09:27 PM
  #241  
TECH Apprentice
 
ChrisRZ28's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Petaluma, Ca
Posts: 343
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post

Default

Originally Posted by White_LightningZ
for those that have actually done this mod- how has it held up? Any potential problems/ observations ...advice?
Mine's just fine. Once it's done, it's a set it and forget it mod.
Old 09-24-2012, 06:09 PM
  #242  
11 Second Club
iTrader: (107)
 
tnmotown's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Cali
Posts: 1,459
Received 24 Likes on 16 Posts

Default

hmmm...I'm wanting to lower my ride about 2" but very cautious about the stiff ride.

This mod has me thinking I can have best of both worlds, a lowered ride height, and "softer" front end ride.

I think I may do this....oh and any more people have Before/After pics?? Thanks!!!
Old 09-24-2012, 07:22 PM
  #243  
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (17)
 
VinR1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Central Texas
Posts: 1,933
Likes: 0
Received 4 Likes on 4 Posts

Default

after...

Name:  2012-05-01172008.jpg
Views: 424
Size:  177.5 KB

Name:  2012-05-01172037.jpg
Views: 369
Size:  137.2 KB
Old 09-24-2012, 09:38 PM
  #244  
11 Second Club
iTrader: (107)
 
tnmotown's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Cali
Posts: 1,459
Received 24 Likes on 16 Posts

Default

^^^Damn that looks nice! Any pics before you did the mod? What springs you got? I just bought some sportlines so I might do this.

Any problems with bumps, potholes or anything like that with the drop?
Old 09-24-2012, 11:34 PM
  #245  
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (17)
 
VinR1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Central Texas
Posts: 1,933
Likes: 0
Received 4 Likes on 4 Posts

Default

Theyre Intrax springs - similar to the sportlines. The only 'before' pic I could find is below. No problems that I can recall... I had a local exhaust shop trim/re-weld my system to tuck higher - now the lowest part of my car is the fender tabs and I can clear most speed bumps easily. I rarely have a passenger until just recently (commuting to class with a buddy) and have noticed some rubbing in the rear/passenger side but I think a spin of the PHB will fix that



Name:  2011-05-02160400.jpg
Views: 363
Size:  144.2 KB
Old 09-25-2012, 03:01 AM
  #246  
TECH Senior Member
iTrader: (35)
 
99Bluz28's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: C. V., Kalifornia
Posts: 9,705
Likes: 0
Received 11 Likes on 11 Posts
Default

I did mine years ago and have had no issues, the improvement in ride quality is nice!
Old 09-30-2012, 06:41 PM
  #247  
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (22)
 
SStolen's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Louisville, Ky
Posts: 1,621
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts

Default

I cut exactly 1.5 coils off the front and rear of my factory springs. It lowered the car about 2" in front and back keeping a small amount of rake. My car sat rather high from the factory though.

Last edited by SStolen; 09-30-2012 at 06:47 PM.
Old 09-30-2012, 07:07 PM
  #248  
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (22)
 
SStolen's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Louisville, Ky
Posts: 1,621
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts

Default

I have some questions. Some things to consider with my set-up is that I have Koni SA's in the front with factory cut springs that lowered my car roughly 2" front and rear. My car sat high from the factory though. I think the front is still too high though so I am going to move the spring perch to the lower setting on the Koni shock.

1. I have a cutout under the driver seat that hangs lower than anything else on the car. It sometimes scraps speedbumps if I don't slow down enough. From what I understand, doing this mod allows the tires to go into the wheelwell further when hitting bumps so is it possible that I could bottom out on my cutout if I hit a dip in the road going too fast (some parts of the freeway around here has bad dips?

2. What are the benefits of the 40mm Koni bumpstops mentioned in this thread? Should I get them with my set-up? I haven't ran a factory bumpstop for ten years. The car rides fine. I don't feel like I hit anything but then again I don't aim for potholes or not slow down for speedbumps either.

Thanks

Last edited by SStolen; 10-01-2012 at 12:53 AM.
Old 10-01-2012, 12:01 AM
  #249  
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (22)
 
SStolen's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Louisville, Ky
Posts: 1,621
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts

Default

Originally Posted by JasonWW
The front of our cars have a motion ratio of 1.7 to 1. One inch of shock travel is equal to 1.7" of wheel travel. So if you want a 1" drop you need to cut the groove 5/8" lower.
Could you do this on any shock? Is the wall thickness of the shock the same all the way up and down?

What are the pros and cons of cutting some of the coil off the spring over moving the spring perch lower on the shock? Using your motion ratio, cutting a groove 1.25" lower than the factory perch would lower the car 2.1". I know that cutting some of the coil off the factory spring would give you a higher spring rate which would keep it off the bumpstop but other than that, it is the same thing?

So if my car is lowered 2", which it is, you're saying I only have 1" of suspension travel? So cutting .75" off the shock mount which which results in an extra 1.25" of suspension travel would more than double the travel I currently have.

Last edited by SStolen; 10-01-2012 at 01:10 AM.
Old 08-14-2014, 12:59 AM
  #250  
Launching!
iTrader: (8)
 
wmskateteam's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: DFW, TX
Posts: 260
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post

Default

Reviving this thread to warn anyone who has or may do this to their upper mounts. After cutting the end as described off a brand new set of moogs I had an unusually bouncy ride, but a perfect stance. After about three weeks I here metal hitting metal and it sounds like the inner fender/shock tower. My konis had pushed all the way through the mounts on both sides. I am very lucky to have not had a major incident as I drive 70 highway miles a day to work. Will post pics
Attached Thumbnails Modifying Your Front Upper Shock Mount-20140813_220003.jpg   Modifying Your Front Upper Shock Mount-20140813_220023.jpg  
Old 08-14-2014, 01:02 AM
  #251  
Launching!
iTrader: (8)
 
wmskateteam's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: DFW, TX
Posts: 260
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post

Default

Another pic
Attached Thumbnails Modifying Your Front Upper Shock Mount-20140813_222324.jpg  
Old 08-14-2014, 01:41 AM
  #252  
TECH Senior Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (2)
 
JasonWW's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Hou. TX.
Posts: 6,814
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes on 3 Posts

Default

Originally Posted by wmskateteam
Reviving this thread to warn anyone who has or may do this to their upper mounts. After cutting the end as described off a brand new set of moogs I had an unusually bouncy ride, but a perfect stance. After about three weeks I here metal hitting metal and it sounds like the inner fender/shock tower. My konis had pushed all the way through the mounts on both sides.
It looks pretty obvious you did not assemble the upper shock mount with the thick steel trapezoidal shaped pieces that actually support the top of the shock.

Name:  Edelbrockshock2copy.jpg
Views: 1167
Size:  32.5 KB

The piece on the top left. They are essential.
Old 08-14-2014, 04:22 AM
  #253  
TECH Senior Member
iTrader: (35)
 
99Bluz28's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: C. V., Kalifornia
Posts: 9,705
Likes: 0
Received 11 Likes on 11 Posts
Default

JasonWW , is 100% correct!
Every thread that I've seen where someone has had the shock pulled through the upper mount was the result of leaving that crucial piece out!
BTW, I run Koni SA's with the U.M.M., and a GroundControl adjustable coil over sleeve kit with 625 lb.in. front spring rates and have never had any problems in over +5 yrs with the modified upper mount on my daily driver Camaro Z28.

Last edited by 99Bluz28; 08-14-2014 at 04:33 AM.
Old 08-14-2014, 04:34 AM
  #254  
TECH Enthusiast
iTrader: (22)
 
darknessxyz's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: >>>_FRISCO_MUSCLE_<<<
Posts: 544
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts

Default

Quick question about the washer under the mount. Do I need to add that washer if I run Koni SA? I'm talking about this:

Name:  ModdeduppermountIMG_9082.jpg
Views: 331
Size:  33.5 KB
Old 08-14-2014, 04:49 AM
  #255  
TECH Senior Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (2)
 
JasonWW's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Hou. TX.
Posts: 6,814
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes on 3 Posts

Default

Originally Posted by darknessxyz
Quick question about the washer under the mount. Do I need to add that washer if I run Koni SA? I'm talking about this:
The koni top hat is already shaped like there is a washer there. It's got a tapered top that allows the shock to pivot. So you don't need to add the washer with those shocks.

Last edited by JasonWW; 08-14-2014 at 07:38 PM.
Old 08-14-2014, 07:19 PM
  #256  
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (24)
 
C Murda's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Mass
Posts: 1,012
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post

Default

+3 ive had mine done (properly) for years now driving up in the streets of New England no issues what so ever... car actually has ridden much better since i did this mod also running 2" drop in the front on 600lb springs and Koni SAs...
Old 07-12-2015, 09:41 AM
  #257  
Staging Lane
 
weslp00's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: London..Britland !
Posts: 50
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default Revivng this thread!

You guys have got me sold on this idea...

Did a Koni SA/GC/eibach mod last year so I could lower the car all round but the front shocks have only got about half inch travel to the bumpstop and the ride is rough over speed bumps. Feels like its the start of bottoming out on the fronts.. Only lowered about an inch but the harder you hit 'em the worse it is. I even shaved a bit off the GC bump stop to give me more travel but this idea might save my sanity ..Good One !!!!
Old 07-13-2015, 12:53 PM
  #258  
TECH Senior Member
iTrader: (35)
 
99Bluz28's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: C. V., Kalifornia
Posts: 9,705
Likes: 0
Received 11 Likes on 11 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by weslp00
You guys have got me sold on this idea...

Did a Koni SA/GC/eibach mod last year so I could lower the car all round but the front shocks have only got about half inch travel to the bumpstop and the ride is rough over speed bumps. Feels like its the start of bottoming out on the fronts.. Only lowered about an inch but the harder you hit 'em the worse it is. I even shaved a bit off the GC bump stop to give me more travel but this idea might save my sanity ..Good One !!!!
I'd use the Koni bump stops that come with the Koni SA front shocks. Not a fan of the GC bumpstops the come with their kit.
Old 07-13-2015, 04:44 PM
  #259  
Staging Lane
 
weslp00's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: London..Britland !
Posts: 50
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Good idea..the GC ones look a bit crummy and soft..

Did the mod today by the way and now I got plenty of shock travel but i'm covered in S*itty rubber gunk... Now the car is up in the air.. where do I get Koni bumpstops ?? Im in England, are there any vendors I can order from here or stateside that you know of?? I think GC must of stolen the originals !!
Old 07-14-2015, 03:29 AM
  #260  
Staging Lane
 
weslp00's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: London..Britland !
Posts: 50
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by 99Bluz28
I'd use the Koni bump stops that come with the Koni SA front shocks. Not a fan of the GC bumpstops the come with their kit.
99BluZ28,

Thanks for that..I have sourced a Koni Deealer over here in England (Brit Land!)

While we are on the subject i see you did this mod ages ago and it all held up.

But there is one thing that concerns me and that is the washer that Jason recommends to use at the top between the mount and the top hat to prevent bind once you have done the mod.
Dosent that create a stress point in so far as there is less surface area contacting the mount where the shock top "pin" goes through the mount because you have removed material and placed a washer there.
I know the car is supported weight wise by the springs and there is no lateral loading on the shock to any extent and that the shocks themselves use the internal rubber/steel plate where the pin goes through and it all bolts together..

Anymore guidance please ?.. I am using a ground control system and see you are familiar with this..

Cheers


Quick Reply: Modifying Your Front Upper Shock Mount



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 11:58 AM.