Hi all,
Since I got my SPF1052, I have always had a rattling problem when hitting bumps. When I decided to change springs to variable rate, I discovered that the nylon bushings on the shock eyes were shot. I ordered replacement bushing kits for the QA1s. The kits come as 2 piece nylon bushings with steel inserts in 2 sizes, 1/2" and 5/8" ID. The ones I knocked out of the shock eyes were 1/2" ID. Then I noticed that the bolts that held the shocks in place were 12mm hardened bolts! No wonder they rattled in there. So I bought 2 sets of 1/2" bolts and nuts from NAPA, and just before I sliced up the old 1-piece bushings, I test fitted the bolts to the frame mounts and of course, the holes are 12mm. It's too tight to get a 1/2" drill bit and a drill to enlarge the hole to 1/2" without disassembling the lower A arm,etc. So my question is, is a 12mm ID steel insert available for these shocks? QA1 doesn't have them. Or should I now search for a stubby 1/2" drill bit and just enlarge the mount holes?
I can't believe the assembler compromised on using 12mm bolts into 1/2" ID sleeves...
