Starting to freak out: Loose front end

[sonerick]

Wow, I hope that's the case.

FWIW, the Bilsteins should not provide any lift if left on the bottom (stock) setting. If the spring perch is the issue, you could probably leave the moog springs on there with the Billies at the stock setting for about a 3/4" (0.375" x 2) of lift in the front. Let us know how it turns out!

 

[skiwindjunkie]

Bilstein said that it actually is a safety issue as the pressure on the clip can cause it to bottom out. Great.
Doesn't the seat look wrong? it looks up. Is the boot on my rear suppose to be down or up. Right now they are down.
THANKS...crazy stuff.

 

[sonerick]

Yup, the front spring perch in that picture is upside down. The vehicle should NOT be driven like that.

The rear shocks are nearly impossible to install incorrectly unless you forget to install bushings, retainers, or top nuts. The plastic boot is supposed to be on the bottom of the shock where the round bolt hole is, but yours looks like its on there incorrectly. It probably won't affect performance or anything, but it might accelerate corrosion by allowing dirt and water in there. Here's a photo of what the boot should look like in the correct position:

Why don't you take it to a different mechanic? The 5100s come with illustrated documentation showing how to install the spring perches. If he can't follow directions and can't fix your car, then what good is he doing you?

 

[skiwindjunkie]

Yup, the front spring perch in that picture is upside down. The vehicle should NOT be driven like that.

The rear shocks are nearly impossible to install incorrectly unless you forget to install bushings, retainers, or top nuts. The plastic boot is supposed to be on the bottom of the shock where the round bolt hole is, but yours looks like its on there incorrectly. It probably won't affect performance or anything, but it might accelerate corrosion by allowing dirt and water in there. Here's a photo of what the boot should look like in the correct position:

Why don't you take it to a different mechanic? The 5100s come with illustrated documentation showing how to install the spring perches. If he can't follow directions and can't fix your car, then what good is he doing you?

Why do you think the bolt on the rear is on incorrectly? The boot is down so is it backwards or something? From the picture it looks like the boot is all the way down on the bolt and should be sitting up higher? I am having it sent to anther mechanic today and want to tell him what you think.

It is at the original shop today. No labor charge for the screw up. But I am bringing it to a guy who specializes in sports cars who has installed these shocks. I would of gone there first but didn't think this was hard. He is going to go through everything to make sure it is right and I will have him do an alignment. So I have not gotten the final bill of everything that was done yet. Ugh. Then I am going to dump some more coin to the other mechanic who said that the perch seat was a HUGE oopsie. I don't mind spending the money to get a second look to make sure its right. I drove my truck at high speeds with that like that. DUH. Bilstein said the clip could of slipped. Great.

Sometimes I wish I could just be happy driving a camry. LOL.

 

[sonerick]

The boot is definitely in the correct position towards the lower portion of the shock, but it should taper down and form a tight seal just above the eye of the shock (bolt hole) like shown in the picture I posted. Yours looks like it has no taper and its a little bit loose, possibly allowing road spray to get up in there. It could just be folded over a bit though, something to double check I guess.

 

[krupnation]

Sucks man, hope you get it all worked out. Once you get the Billie's on there correctly you'll love the way it rides.

 

[skiwindjunkie]

Drove her short bit to another sports car specialist. Not far enough to tell but far enough to feel my steering felt TIGHT!
Get her today and will update then. The front end has come back to earth.:bravo:

 

[skiwindjunkie]

Well the whole disaster didn't end up breaking the bank! I paid my tire guy $130.02 for all that work! So I didn't feel so bad about the perch seat screw up. I got the Moog coil (the one for the V8 which is higher and probably burlier) new Moog outer tie rod ends and my bilstein 5100 installed and also an alignment. So because he credited me for the front and rear Monroe's I got a $438 credit. But the Bilstien's cost me $430 shipped. What I can't believe is that the Billie's far surpass the Monroe's in performance and they are the same price? Also I ate $38 for the performance shop to check her over. They said that the rear boot was on wrong and they fixed it. They also said my rear coils were spanked. So I am going to have the OEM rear springs from Toyota put in by the sport shop and not the stealer and leave the front Moog's for now. Toytec springs have 1 1/2 to 2inch lifts in their coils and I am not looking for that. The Bilsteins I am going to have them set at .85 in the front. Hopefully they are not damaged from the mishap? So I am not sure if the whole problem was the front coil springs, tie rod ends or shocks. But I can say that she handles GREAT! I'm pretty happy to have my wheel feel tight again. My instincts think it was the Monroe shocks. Not too many people say they are any good. But my car does not jump or bounce anymore! Thanks you guys for all your help!

 

[sonerick]

Looks good man! Glad it's back to riding nice again.

What notch are the 5100's at in this picture?

 

[skiwindjunkie]

I had asked them to set the fronts at .85. When I picked up the car I verified this and he said they are set at nothing.:crybaby:
But I asked you to set it, he said it is at factory where it should be.
I said I know what factory is and I bought the shocks to change factory. :50cal: I am hoping that the clip wasn't broken or something as to why then didn't set it? OR maybe they were not comfortable doing it?
At that point I was just all done with dealing and went my way frustrated with a smile.

So I am getting OEM rear coil springs from Toyota and having the sport car shop install them and set Billie's to .85. I might have them do my 120K service which has not been done yet. I am pricing it now with a stealer and then going to see what the sport shop can do it for. I know its a big number with tranny/differ/coolant replace etc.

So I will post a picture when she is done! THEN she gets a body oil bath on the 15th cause she is RUSTY!:crybaby: I looked into POR and that is way too much work.