I just installed Racing Beat springs on KYB AGX's in my '87 TII and I have a few questions. First of all, when assembling the new shocks and springs I didn't have to use the spring compressor, the uncompressed springs were short enough to allow the shock to be assembled. But once the nut was threaded all the way down there is still just a bit of play in the top shock mount, not much at all but it allows the top to be turned by hand. It seems like the old shocks were much tighter once assembled. The spring doesn't move around but I am a concerned anyways.

Has anyone else experienced this?

I was thinking to use another washer under the top nut to see if that tightens it up. But I was also thinking about just replacing the shock mounts with new stock ones or the Tein Pillowball mounts. I believe the Tein mounts will work with the KYB's right?


Some pics during install-

 

No one has any input here? I have them assembled with all of the pieces in place and they are just a tad bit loose up top even with the top nut torque down. I know sits in place just fine when it's installed in the car with the weight of the car on it, there's no way it could come apart but I was just curious if anyone else has run into this with this particular shock/spring combo.

 

hi there, i dont have experience with these shocks/springs but to me it sounds like they should be fine as-is as when the car is on the ground the weight of the car should ensure the spring is captured/cant move.
If you dont like the idea of having loose springs with no weight on the car you can get the shafts on the shock absorbers shortened slightly so they will hold the spring tought wether weight is applied or not.

 

So is this common when using lowering springs?

 

I know when I did mine I used spring compressors to get them on I guess you could tighten them with out. I don't have play in mine though I have the rear mounting nut tightened down and everything. When its sitting down on the ground I can't rotate the spring at all.

 

once mine is on the ground it's solid, it's just when I put them together I noticed it was some play once the nut was tightened down.

 

Ok. Ya once I got mine on the ground I tightened that nut in the mounts. But don't use a torque wrench.

 

I just ordered all new shock mounts and spring seats for the front and rear so we'll see what happens when I reinstall with these and tighten back down.

 

Probably a good idea I have seen your tread on the restore and its a good idea. I did it on mine. Have you done the toe eliminators yet? I still need to do mine. I did some adjust on the kyb's because the first time I was be jared all around but I think even at the softest setting they still ride really nice. Next is low pros and I think handling will be awesome.

 

Nope, I still have the toe eliminators, tie rod ends, sway bars and endlinks to do. I just found a place to get remaufactured axles for the TII too, I hadn't been able to find new ones until today.

I'm with ya on the low pros, I need my tires bad so I can put on my rims.

 

Nice man those are gonna look sick! I still need to finish my bushing kit and 5 lug conversion. Should be nice to get low pros since it will grip like a champ. How much you get those rims for? I am having a hard time finding ones cause I want wide tires and still want 16's.

 

What kind of rims are those? That style is exactly what I'm looking for.

 

http://www.performanceplustire.com/p...349#prodAnchor

 

Are you sure those rims will fit up front with Racing Beat springs? I thought that style spring caused a lot of people to rub on bigger rims. I guess you can run spacers if need be.

On your suspension, the springs in my KYB/Ground Control setup do the exact same thing. I'd be interested to see what new upper mounts do for you.

Josh

 

I believe the rims should clear, we'll see when they go on.

 

I think you should be fine. I just took apart a pair of OEM rears from one of my verts this weekend and I was able to spin the upper strut mount with some slight force before I removed the screw, although I did have to use compressors to get them apart.

 

I got these today, I'm gonna redo it all this weekend with the new mounts.

 

I reinstalled the suspension with the new shock mounts and what little play was there is now gone. I feel much better about this.

 

as you found out, in a mcpherson strut setup (its our type of suspension) that top bushing mount can go back and cause excess play. and as you also found out, replacing the bushings in the top mount cured that ailment. good job!
sorry i didnt see this thread earlier.

Lloyd