SPF shock mounts vs. available shocks dia. discrepancy?

JCoop · #1 (**permalink**) 03-31-2009, 02:43 PM

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...

Woodz428 · #2 (**permalink**) 03-31-2009, 03:17 PM

Check some of the bike shops. 12mm is a common size on many motorcycle shock bolts. They are probably available from someone like Progressive.

Calbullet · #3 (**permalink**) 03-31-2009, 06:28 PM

JCoop, check these out. Since your there already, read about the stock mounts.

http://performanceunlimited.com/cobr...sionmount.html

JCoop · #4 (**permalink**) 03-31-2009, 07:09 PM

The problem is that the sleeves supplied with the replacement bushing kit for the QA1 shocks have 1/2" ID. So, even if I got new 12mm bolts, they would be sloppy in there.
I ended up buying hardened steel 1/2" bolts, (this time with no threads in the shear zone), and drilling out the stock shock mount holes to 1/2". The bushings are also Delrin, rather than hard rubber as the original bushings were. It should be pretty rigid, especially without the slop. I may have to set the compression dampening a couple of stops softer.
I'm just disappointed that the premier assembler of Superformance cars on Long Island let this kind of thing fall through the cracks. I'm not naming names...

JCoop · #5 (**permalink**) 04-01-2009, 05:28 AM

Thanks Calbullet. I see the improved design of the replacement mounts.
However, examining what is in 1052, I don't see the misalignment and I think with the new bolts, I'll be OK.

Cheers!

Tony Aprile · #6 (**permalink**) 04-01-2009, 09:24 AM

Ray....Hope to see you out driving this season. When did you change over to QA1 shocks ??

JCoop · #7 (**permalink**) 04-01-2009, 02:23 PM

Hey Tony! I hope to be at the Spring ride this year. I got back into sailing last year but now that the boat's sold, I'm landlocked again!

The car came with the QA1s, which was probably a spec'd upgrade along with the 17" wheels. I'm curious, the shocks that come with the rollers must have had 12mm dia. sleeves in the bushings, no?

Anyway, I finished the rears today and they ride tight as a drum; no rattles in the back. I'll tackle the fronts this weekend.

Tony Aprile · #8 (**permalink**) 04-01-2009, 03:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JCoop

The car came with the QA1s, which was probably a spec'd upgrade along with the 17" wheels. I'm curious, the shocks that come with the rollers must have had 12mm dia. sleeves in the bushings, no?

Correct...everything from south africa is metric. Just a quick note Captree is already packed...so there's plenty to see when you feel like taking a ride.

Spoooky · #9 (**permalink**) 04-01-2009, 08:14 PM

Ordered my shock mounts today from Performance Unlimited Cobra Valley. Talked to Randy there. Nice guy. Makes sense after you talk to him. Easy to install too.

Spoooky · #10 (**permalink**) 04-10-2009, 04:09 PM

Put my shock mounts on today. Took about an hour after breaking a couple of spinners with the lead hammer. They look great and totally make sense after I took the old ones off. I have only a couple of hundred miles on my SPF and you can see the the stock bracket on the driver side had started to shift.

Jim Norris · #11 (**permalink**) 04-10-2009, 07:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Calbullet

JCoop, check these out. Since your there already, read about the stock mounts.

http://performanceunlimited.com/cobr...sionmount.html

Mel,
Have you upgraded your mounts?

Calbullet · #12 (**permalink**) 04-10-2009, 09:56 PM

Jim,
upgraded the mounts when they first came out. good upgrade, my original mounts were still good. feel more confident that they are replaced now. if you want to see them up close give me a shout.

Mel

JCoop · #13 (**permalink**) 04-11-2009, 04:00 PM

I finished replacing all shock bushings and sleeves on the QA1s on my car. I also replaced all the 12mm bolts with the appropriate 1/2" hardened bolts with no threads in the stress zone. (I had to cut the bolts as they were too long with this spec). I also bored out the mounting bracket holes to 1/2". The result is a different riding car. It rides drum tight with no rattles, and turn in is very precise at "lively" speeds, with just a hint of understeer that disappears and corrects as soon as I let off the throttle. If I were to do it over, though, I think I'd opt for the more expensive but precise heim end rod bearings that are available to replace the bushings. In addition to absolutely no slop, it forgives some of the not-so-precise alignment of the upper and lower mounting brackets.
All in all, a worthwhile weekend's worth of work...

Silverback51 · #14 (**permalink**) 04-11-2009, 06:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JCoop

I finished replacing all shock bushings and sleeves on the QA1s on my car. I also replaced all the 12mm bolts with the appropriate 1/2" hardened bolts with no threads in the stress zone. (I had to cut the bolts as they were too long with this spec). I also bored out the mounting bracket holes to 1/2". The result is a different riding car. It rides drum tight with no rattles, and turn in is very precise at "lively" speeds, with just a hint of understeer that disappears and corrects as soon as I let off the throttle. If I were to do it over, though, I think I'd opt for the more expensive but precise heim end rod bearings that are available to replace the bushings. In addition to absolutely no slop, it forgives some of the not-so-precise alignment of the upper and lower mounting brackets.
All in all, a worthwhile weekend's worth of work...

When you say "....hardened bolts..." you are not referring to grade 8 bolts are you?