MKI Cabriolet coilover question

[Beetle.freak]

Has anybody else installed Raceland coilovers with the rear shock "upper mount" Prothane bushings ? I've heard there's an issuse with the top 42mm metal bushing being too long for Prothane bushings and it needing to be trimmed or it won't tighten up properly ?....I've searched but can't find the info anywhere ?

[danderso]

I've got Racelands and the Poly inserts,

had no problems whatsoever.

[Beetle.freak]

Great, Thank you for your reply !

[hyperlightboards48]

Did you get your suspension on yet!?

[Beetle.freak]

Did you get your suspension on yet!?

No, dam rain !!!!!! I have a new idea on the front struts I'm gonna post as soon as I get some pics up and want to get everybodys thoughts on. On a side note, my rear Racelands only have the sleeve/bushing and 1 nut.....it "should" be strut, all springs in place, sleeve/bushing, nut (drawn down tight), rubber or poly mounts. Top/cap washer, then top nut ?

[hyperlightboards48]

Im trying to remember when i did mine I'm pretty sure i removed the nut that was on top of the sleeve/bushing and used it on top of the washer thing inside the car.... but now you have me second guessing myself.

I'll go check just a sec

Edit;
Yep thats what i did. Its a lock nut I just used that on top. Just remove any load on the spring obviously before taking it off. You'll probably have to anyways to get the helper spring out.

What do you mean you have an idea for the front? I know you said you would post pics but now im curious

[Beetle.freak]

Yes because in theory, if you use the "1 nut apprach" as your upper bushings wear in you're gonna have play/noise at the top of the mount.....kinda like a wore out upper front strut bushing ?!

[hyperlightboards48]

Okay I see what you are saying. Now i might be taking mine back out to do it the right way

But I don't see why it would make more noise. Either way as that mount goes out it would make noise regardless the number of nuts on there. Or are you saying if you sandwich the mount(with two nuts) that would elliminate the noise?

Sorry this just isn't clicking for me right now

[Beetle.freak]

If you're just tightening the very top nut A) your upper spring perch/basket isn't "truly" tight to the strut letting the perch, sleeve/bushing move up and down on the threads of the shock/strut itself....tearing up the threads and wearing the inside of the sleeve/bushing and B) its gonna let extra squishing/movement of the upper rubber/prothane bushings leading to premature wear and letting the shock/strut to move a lil inside the metal hole of the body mount of the car and "rattling" as you go over a bump extending the shock/strut all the way. In my mind it sounds right but that's not to say I'm right......come on coffee.....work faster !!!!

[hyperlightboards48]

Okay I'm gonna give this one last try

I have one nut on each coilover, the nut is screwed all the way down so there is going to be no play. Its just like having a washer on top of the bushing and tightening it all the way down.

Essentially there is nothing different than running bushing/sleeve then washer then nut then upper spring mount and nut. I think...

Im tossing in the rag here those are just my thoughts. When my coilover tears apart my mounts i'll be sure to report back

[Beetle.freak]

Lol....I'm double nutting mine but still wonder about the height difference of the upper mounts Prothane = 48mm, factory rubber= 62mm + the nut I'm "adding" like the factory setup is 8mm thick.....I'm just not seeing the clampability of the Prothanes since they're thinner ?!?!

[Beetle.freak]

Okay I'm gonna give this one last try

I have one nut on each coilover, the nut is screwed all the way down so there is going to be no play. Its just like having a washer on top of the bushing and tightening it all the way down.

Essentially there is nothing different than running bushing/sleeve then washer then nut then upper spring mount and nut. I think...

Im tossing in the rag here those are just my thoughts. When my coilover tears apart my mounts i'll be sure to report back

Just got off the phone with Raceland and it "is" supposed to be the "2" nut system on the rear top of the struts, like this..... and "not" the "1" nut setup as it comes out of the box...... .....I used the lower nut from off a set I had laying around to tighten the metal sleeve/bushing down on top of the upper spring perch/basket then slid rubber mount bushing on, up through the car, top bushing, factory top washer, then the ny-lock nut that came on the top of the new strut/shocks.

[hyperlightboards48]

Ah hell that means i gotta take mine back out Good investigation work!!!

[Beetle.freak]

I really don't mean to come off as a know it all (ever).....I just wanna make sure you, me, or anybody else going through this has them on right and not tearing stuff up or wasting $$$ !!!!

[hyperlightboards48]

Oh you came of smug alright

Kidding thanks for the info. It should only take about 15 min to get an extra nut on there, and that is well worth my time.

Did raceland say it should've come with two or was it just expected of you to know to add another?

[Beetle.freak]

Expected