Koni/GC Begins!! Help me out here would ya??
 

I just got my inserts in the mail today. I found that the two fronts are from the 2nd(new) batch with "nubs". I then came to discover that the rears are not the same case. I saw the 1st one and said...hehehe nubs hehehe. Then saw the second one and was puzzled. One of the rears is out fo the old batch with the "serated" edge. I don't see this as a huge problem but I am confused as to why they would mix and match?? I called Classic Garage and spoke to Tim who is gonna do some research and get back to me so he knows what I am talking about. I really like the people there as they are very nice and easy to deal with.

Second task, I called Ground Control to check on the status of my coil-overs. The gentleman told me they will ship out either today or tomorrow at the latest.

So this means only one thing..... Start ripping it apart!!! I do not have time to do it today as I have work in an hour and a half. So tomorrow I hope to have all 4 struts out of the car and maybe even have the Konis bolted in as long as I am not sending them back.

I understand the instructions sent with the struts for the nubs but they failed to send the serated instructions. I think Todd has them in his locker. Anyway, wish me luck and if you have any tricks of the trade you would like to throw at me... please do so

Tom

Tom, you might want to wait till the springs actually show up.
Someone sent me a seal, that went to Australia, on it's way to Cumberland MD. :confused:

GC shipping tomorrow may mean they get shipped out tomorrow, or sometime next week or even later. Wait for a tracking number.
GC products = good
GC service = not so good

Start spraying everything connected to the struts with PB Blaster, Mr. TOMSSVX!

Hey Tom,

I've installed both the first generation serrated inserts (mine) and the second generation "new and improved with nubs" version for Bill's "stock :rolleyes: " SVX. The only real difference is how much of the strut tube to be removed. The serrated version requires a MUCH longer tube to allow the serrations to engage the tube. In fact, all you need to cut for the serrated install is the end where it was rolled by Showa during the original assembly.

The nubs -hehe- require a specific length which is much shorter than the serrated version. The instructions call out exactly how long they need to be. I had to cut Bills after they had been blasted and powdercoated. Good thing I've got the tools :cool:

Todd

I sent the one strut back to get a newer one. I just don't like the idea of buying parts that have been sitting that long. I am having a little trouble indentifying how much the housings need to be cut. the directions don't give an exact measurement... atleast not what I can get out of them. Do you remember that measurement, or does anyone else know?? Also, I understand it will be a little tough stuffing the nubs into the old housings, will it be ok if I use a hammer to get them started as not to strip out the threads??

Tom

try to vice the housing and rubber mallot the nubs in. hit the yellow tubing not the strut shaft. put the housing tube next to the strut tube and estimate adding a inch or to the the nubs.

my nubs would not go.

the directions say that you should subtract 6 from whatever length the koni is and cut the housing there... 6 what is my question??? MM?? Inches :eek: Anyway I think 6mm would be fine and I do believe that is what they are trying to say, I really wish they were more clear.

Tom

yeah the instructs are shady. but here is your object. you want to keep as much of the housing as possible. so where old strut begins u cut a 1/2 inch down. drain dump out old strut. center punch the center drill the 14 mm hole with (i used 1/2 drill bit and rounded out 1/2 inch bit is 12 15/16 mm i believe) i think. then test fit to make sure hole is allingened with bolt thread (dont pound in nubs yet. make sure u round out enough. the threads are fat on the bolts. i had to pull strut out of 2 of them and round out more. it is hard to find the exact center of bottom cause of way they are shaped. it seemed like the hole needed to be more to the outside of tube where camber bolts go. if all is well pound it in and bolt down with mallot and hex wrench. dont put strut in all the way if u are cutting perch. cut perch weld gc perch and install. my cutting mistake allowed me to not install strut till after weld. REMEMBER KEEP AS MUCH TUBE AS POSSIBLE. dont make my mistake so they say. im still cold welding the tube to strut even though i feel or see no movement with the tight fit i got. oh yeah gl. have fun.

ok, i got my firts strut finished up. I found that they give you and extra bolt to drive in the strut instead of hammering it in. From the top, the insert is 46mm to the center of the nubs so I cut the housing to 40mm. Slid the insert in and used the longer bolt with the hex head to pull the insert down. Then I used the allen head bolt to secure it into place with the lock washer.

I just had my first mishap of the day. The spring compressor broke loose on the second strut and smacked me square between the eyes splitting my forehead open. Right now I need to butterfly this and maybe get stitches if I need them. I guess it is always a good thing to have a hard head ;)

Tom

ok, just butterflied my head and i think I will be fine. I also just checked my account balance and saw that Ground Control has finally taken out the money for the coilovers. This hsould mean they were shipped yesterday or they will be today I will call them around 130 after they have opened... damn pacific standard time... and ask them if the order has left yet.

Tom

first off are u ok that had to hurt. when i was compressing mine. the compressor was built to the wall and i had the coils twist on me twice. u have to get them tight so they dont bust loose to the fore head. did the bolt action work are the nubs in the spot? congrats if they are. now the easy part is throwing the gc stuff on literally. dont forget washer in the rears. if u can get a size that would help me out a bunch. so im not buy fifty sizes to see what fits. my struts are on the car so i cant test sizes.

yo man wake up. can someone please go check on him. u are not suppose to sleep after a head contusion. :eek:

Hope you're ok Tom. Definitely seek medical help asap!!!! :)

-Chike