Good afternoon everyone,

This is going to be a long one so bear with me.

I have a FC that I have had for a bit that I got from a friend and I was inspecting my car on the lift and noticed the rear Stance USA coil overs that came with the car had their bushings to the trailing arms absolutely blown out on both sides. My first thought was that they must have been torqued along with the top mount before the car was lowered, and so there was some twist in them when lowered. I of course don't have the manual or install documentation that I would assume would come with the coil overs. I called customer service and got an e-mail to send the pictures of the older pre XR1 coil overs and the bushings. They quickly sent me an e-mail with an invoice and I asked for the install documentation. The customer support member told me that they don't come with installation manuals because they should be installed by an ASE tech and to use OEM torque values. I said I still wanted information on the assembly, servicing, operations, general adjustments, warnings, notes etc. I was told none existed and they don't offer installation instructions. Of course I am interested in the instructions because I want to know why these bushings failed so miserably. After finally sending them examples of install and general operation instructions from Penske, Ohlins and JRZ, Stance USA finally capitulated that there is indeed a manual.

What I found was that the documentation in the manual they finally provided does not refer you to a FSM, or for any reason suggest that the instructions are not universal. Considering the installation instructions come in a package labeled for FC RX7 Coil Overs, I would think some people would assume that they are intended to be correct unless otherwise stated. The difference in the instructions are as follows:

"FINALIZING INSTALLATION NOTES (FROM STANCE USA INSTRUCTIONS):

- Install coilover assembly in the same location as the OEM unit by guiding it up through the underside of the
chassis with the studs positioned up through the strut tower mount. Thread the nuts back on the top mount, but do not
tighten down yet. This will allow for some movement in the suspension system to align the lower hardware.

- Once everything is in place torque the nuts on the top mount and lower bracket to OEM specifications. Remember to securely reattached any brake lines, etc found on the lower part of the suspension.

- Lower the vehicle back down to the ground and take note of the ride height setting. Jounce the front and rear
of the car to allow the suspension to settle in place and offer an indication of the true ride height. Make any adjustments
to the height as need per the instructions above."



"HAYNES REPAIR MANUAL: Chapter 10 - 8 Rear Shock Absorber and Coil Spring Assembly Installation

6. Guide the shock absorber up into the shock tower and slide the mounting studs through their holes. Install the nuts to prevent the shock from falling back through, but don't tighten them completely yet.

7. Connect the lower end of the shock absorber to its mounting point on the trailing arm and tighten the bolt to the torque listed in this Chapter's specifications.

8. Install the wheel and lug nuts. Lower the Vehicle and tighten the lug nuts to the torque specified.

9. Tighten the upper mounting nuts to the torque listed in this Chapter's specifications, then install the speaker."

I can only assume that the previous owner followed the directions in their manual that caused the bushing to blow out. My question is has anyone bought Stance USA coil overs, and did the documents that came with it suggest not to follow their instructions? They have been super circular and told me that a proper technician should know how to install basic coil overs etc etc instead of acknowledging that their instructions possibly have people installing these incorrectly. Unless of course I am wrong?