AZDrifter
True Classic
Midwest-Bayless is offering a bunch of new suspension options for our Exies. I would really like the Koni coilover set, but finances and sanity called for more a reserved approach. The KYB's have the spring perches ground off, and the threaded sleeves are centered and secured by rubber O rings. The hardware is aluminum, there is a 1/8" Allen set screw, and the springs are 180 lb/in. The kit comes with roller bearings in the tops to reduce steering effort. The kit was just for the front, providing 30% more spring rate and a nice rake compared to the OEM turned-up nose.
Here's the original height...
Undoing the Mac strut... spring compressors are handy, as is the impact wrench.
If the shaft turns, this is a good way to secure it...
What a mess...
One of the perches has seen some abuse. A vise and some elbow grease straightened it out. I pounded the sheet metal where the struts mounts to the body with a hammer and a block of wood to get it straight.
New control arm with bushing and ball joint...
Installed...
I set the bottom of the perch to 4.5". I tried it at 5", which provided a level attitude. 4.5" gave a tiny bit of rake.
The new ride height up front...
And the overall appearance. The shadows hide the effect a bit...
Turn in is improved, and good shocks are better than dead ones. It's not a sport suspension. Still lots of body roll, though that probably has more to do with the rear suspension. Very comfortable ride. The springs don't sit on the upper perches at this ride height when the tire is off the ground, so there's that to consider. There isn't any noise up front though, and it is unlikely that the spring would come off the mounts due to the hardware. We will see- that's my only concern about the whole kit.
I didn't get a chance to flog the car on my little test track. People were out walking the dog, enjoying the sunset, whatever. Discretion was required. Overall, great build quality, easy install within three hours, even with installing control arms. Could have been done in two.
Here's the original height...
Undoing the Mac strut... spring compressors are handy, as is the impact wrench.
If the shaft turns, this is a good way to secure it...
What a mess...
One of the perches has seen some abuse. A vise and some elbow grease straightened it out. I pounded the sheet metal where the struts mounts to the body with a hammer and a block of wood to get it straight.
New control arm with bushing and ball joint...
Installed...
I set the bottom of the perch to 4.5". I tried it at 5", which provided a level attitude. 4.5" gave a tiny bit of rake.
The new ride height up front...
And the overall appearance. The shadows hide the effect a bit...
Turn in is improved, and good shocks are better than dead ones. It's not a sport suspension. Still lots of body roll, though that probably has more to do with the rear suspension. Very comfortable ride. The springs don't sit on the upper perches at this ride height when the tire is off the ground, so there's that to consider. There isn't any noise up front though, and it is unlikely that the spring would come off the mounts due to the hardware. We will see- that's my only concern about the whole kit.
I didn't get a chance to flog the car on my little test track. People were out walking the dog, enjoying the sunset, whatever. Discretion was required. Overall, great build quality, easy install within three hours, even with installing control arms. Could have been done in two.