M-3000-ZX3 kit questions

[JakeTheSnake]

Kano Kroil!

I can't wait to try those rear suspension bolts tomorrow.

I got 2 cans of Aero-Kroil direct from Kano, they arrived on Tuesday.
I treated all the nuts I'll be wrenching on that night, and did them again last night.

/fingers crossed!

I was at Autozone today to get another box of nitrile gloves and I FORGOT anti-seize compound, doh! I will definitely use it when I put this all back together.

[sailor]

Hey there, Just a reminder from someone else in the "Rust Belt", you REALLY don't want to remove anything you don't have to!

Once you wiggle the shock bolts enough to get THEM off, loosening Lower arm adj. bolts enough to do any alignment required is probably all you'll be able to do.

It took a couple weeks of repeated attempts to get ONE bolt loose enough for the ONE adjustment I had to do.....

Loosen, lube, hammer, impact gun etc. - then re-tighten & drive for a week - try it again next weekend - third weekend was the "charm" and I got my adjustment done.

The bolt STILL wasn't loose enough to remove, but it was loose enough to make a small camber adjustment...

Shock bolts came out with repeated impact loosening & tightening - penetrant between each attempt... Good thing was no need for the "heat wrench" AKA torch....

Luck!

[sailor]

Oh, BTW - the front strut bolts are fun as well...

I was ready to buy replacements, and even checked which local dealer had 'em in stock they were such a PITA to get out....

Squirting up the "crack" from underneath got enough penetrant where it could do some good to finally get 'em out....

[C00P88]

Just a heads up, make sure you have the right sized nuts in the kit. The ones I received in 2 kits were the wrong size. You can see what I mean in the pic below. If you're planning on re-using the old nuts it shouldn't be an issue.

http://s427.photobucket.com/albums/p...t=100_1395.jpg

[KevinM]

Make sure you install the new rear springs properly. The springs have a plastic cover on part of the coil, which should be up top. I installed the kit on my car a couple weeks ago and did each side differently because I wasn't paying attention. With the plastic cover on the bottom of the spring it made all kinds of noise and I had to take it all apart again and flip the spring over.

[JakeTheSnake]

WHEEEEE!

I have to cut out my LCAs.
After a 7 hour-battle with one LCA-to-knuckle bolt, I busted out the angle grinder with a 4-inch cutoff wheel and she came out no problem.
I then ground off the nut welded to the knuckle. I'm simply going to cut off the remaining three bolts without even trying to wrench them, F-it!

I just got off the phone with John @ Hilbish Parts Department - $253.76 *shipped* for two new LCAs, bolts and nuts on both ends, and the cam washers for the inside ends.

I'll have it all Thursday - AWESOME!

[JakeTheSnake]

Originally Posted by KevinM

Make sure you install the new rear springs properly. The springs have a plastic cover on part of the coil, which should be up top. I installed the kit on my car a couple weeks ago and did each side differently because I wasn't paying attention. With the plastic cover on the bottom of the spring it made all kinds of noise and I had to take it all apart again and flip the spring over.

Thanks for that advice - I noticed the plastic sleeve and was wondering which end was up!

[Fredness]

Very interested in this as I'm eye-ballin' the Summit Racing kit now (free shipping!) I have 160k on the clock and figure its time!
Would love to know your feelings on ride/handling comparisons.

[elsolo]

Originally Posted by Fredness

Very interested in this as I'm eye-ballin' the Summit Racing kit now (free shipping!) I have 160k on the clock and figure its time!
Would love to know your feelings on ride/handling comparisons.

I recently replaced the stock ZX3 stuff (only 48k mi) with the SVT kit, it is much better in every way that I expected.

[JakeTheSnake]

Alright, I'm concerned about installing my springs properly...

Which end is up?
They are obviously different from one end of one spring to the other...

After a little research, I would guess that the tightest coils go UP, right?