Topic: Suspension upgrade

[elff]

If Dave@DDM is installing your parts, let him do the alignment.
He has everything he needs and will do a better job than most shops with the high end expensive equipment

[Sol Asylum]

What exactly did you install?

[roxer]

What exactly did you install?

Just checked - should have said "all" of these parts.    That means FE3 Z0K springs/sways and the DDMWorks brace bundle.  Mainly the Z0K stuff.  I thought I read changing that out requires an alignment. Correct me if I am mistaken on that.

[Sol Asylum]

Since you changed out the springs yes get an alignment done.  The other parts, so far as I am aware, would not require an alignment.

[Critterman]

DDM in Greenville, Corner balance the car and alignment.  Either stock or you can go more aggressive with a bit of negative camber.  They do an excellent job.

[LatinVenom]

yes you do, sorry not from that area.

[roxer]

I guess from the questions I ask it appears I don't know how to wrench, sorry for that.  10 year Navy veteran - EC-130GQ Flight Engineer and E2-C Tech.  I want to do this myself if I can.  I just wanted a local shop if I f it up and I like to know what I'm up against.  Also if I need any special tools.  This board is awesome and the knowledge here is amazing. I've always wanted a project car - this is it.    

[elff]

Worst case scenario is that you have a little uneven tire wear if the alignment is not perfect after doing these installs.
As far as the work goes, GJ created a thread for exactly what you are doing with a bunch of nice pictures.
It's real easy to remove the existing parts, then take the spring off the shocks and install new springs on the shocks and reinstall.
Just take your time and you will be fine.

[roxer]

DDM in Greenville, Corner balance the car and alignment.  Either stock or you can go more aggressive with a bit of negative camber.  They do an excellent job.

That may mean doing it here and then a trip to Piedmont to get the better alignment. I'm good with that.

[roxer]

Worst case scenario is that you have a little uneven tire wear if the alignment is not perfect after doing these installs.
As far as the work goes, GJ created a thread for exactly what you are doing with a bunch of nice pictures.
It's real easy to remove the existing parts, then take the spring off the shocks and install new springs on the shocks and reinstall.
Just take your time and you will be fine.

I saw those - Thanks GJ for the pictures.   I'm going to make this a weekend job. I'll order the CAT this weekend to get as much done then as I can.

[Gentleman Jack]

I'm not as useless as I make myself believe I am

[roxer]

The guy to do an alignment is Robert O at Liberty GMC Buick in Matthews, NC.  That used to be a Pontiac dealership - used them several times with my wife's 02 Grand Am.  Robert is a racer and restores old Pontiac muscle cars.  He did my stage 2 tune for me.  He's kind of their mod guy.  Called him this morning.  He has the rear caster gauge for the Kappas and will do the Z0K alignment with no problems.  He has done them in the past so this should be good.

I'll head to DDM later to get them to do the better alignment.

[Dave@DDMworks]

I guess from the questions I ask it appears I don't know how to wrench, sorry for that.  10 year Navy veteran - EC-130GQ Flight Engineer and E2-C Tech.  I want to do this myself if I can.  I just wanted a local shop if I f it up and I like to know what I'm up against.  Also if I need any special tools.  This board is awesome and the knowledge here is amazing. I've always wanted a project car - this is it.    

I wanted to fly E2-C's as a kid, not quite good enough vision at the time

[Critterman]

Dave, of all the airplanes in the world why the E2-C?

I did logistical support for the E2-C PMA at NAVAIR as a contractor in my previous life

[roxer]

I wanted to fly E2-C's as a kid, not quite good enough vision at the time

Yeah, I know the drill.  20/20 to fly but not to be air crew.  Was funny watching older pilots - especially F18 drivers - pull their glasses out to read the pre-filght cards.

Dave, of all the airplanes in the world why the E2-C?

I did logistical support for the E2-C PMA at NAVAIR as a contractor in my previous life

Cool - VAW-123 Screwtops.  3 yr. NAMTRAGRUDET Instructor for E2-C Electrical, Navigation and Power Plants at Norfolk.  In my previous life of course.   

[Gentleman Jack]

I threw toy airplanes at my Brother. That was last night. Not sure if that qualifies for a previous life or not....

[roxer]

I threw toy airplanes at my Brother. That was last night. Not sure if that qualifies for a previous life or not....

Only if you made cool sounds to go with it.   

[Sol Asylum]

I'm not as useless as I make myself believe I am

Don't sell yourself short, you really are. 

[roxer]

Don't sell yourself short, you really are. 

Wow GJ, hope you wore your NERF body armor...     Brutal in here.

[Kelu]

Sweet!  Mod meet at Roxer's!

Where exactly? When? 

[roxer]

Got my stuff from CED today.  Just waiting on the stuff from DDM.  Anyone else order the brace kit and not gotten it yet?  I ordered mine Labor Day.  Nothing as of yet.

[Critterman]

Give them a call and ask.  They are very responsive.

[Wartie]

Does anybody that is lowered or have Z0k springs have a trailer hitch? Any ground clearance issues?

[roxer]

Finally got the brace kit last night - opened it up and got an awesome surprise! DDM gave me the extreme race version backbone because of a problem with their supplier. Geez this thing is thick. Massive kudos to DDM and thanks big time Ivy! Now to get this stuff put together and order more stuff!

[Sol Asylum]

Does anybody that is lowered or have Z0k springs have a trailer hitch? Any ground clearance issues?

Elff has been lowered (new hip) also has the Z0K springs in his car, his truck and I suspect his jeep have trailer hitches, he just barely clears the ground.