Midnight_Rider's progress log

stdlystdmufn · Post by **stdlystdmufn** » Sun May 22, 2011 2:11 pm

it was good to meet gramps yesterday and im happy to say his car is all ready to make the trip to carlyle now. also its wierd to see more people interested in his srt-4 than any viper we got in for service, at the dealership!

Midnight_Rider · Post by **Midnight_Rider** » Sun May 22, 2011 11:31 pm

Are you serious? Well, that is flattering (for my car anyway

). I appreciate your giving me the "All systems go!"

I'm still waiting to see if the parts for the next mod will be here in time for the scheduled install this Saturday (the mechanic who worked on my BOV and CAI ordered the parts and I haven't heard from him since last Monday).

stdlystdmufn · Post by **stdlystdmufn** » Mon May 23, 2011 12:39 am

hopefully that means there were no issues with the ordering.

Midnight_Rider · Post by **Midnight_Rider** » Mon May 23, 2011 8:27 am

I just checked online with my credit union and the check that I wrote to him last Monday still hasn't cleared. He said that the parts were at the Warren, MI depot so I'm wondering what is going on. Guess that I'll have to call him.

Midnight_Rider · Post by **Midnight_Rider** » Sat May 28, 2011 12:36 am

All is well. Install set for 10:00 a.m. and I hope to have pics posted Saturday night.

Midnight_Rider · Post by **Midnight_Rider** » Sat May 28, 2011 6:47 pm

Hmm... what could this be?

Oh, looky here!

Yup, the real thing.

Front driver's side install.

Rear passenger-side install.

The old parts.

Ready for Carlisle.

LowNSlow · Post by **LowNSlow** » Sat May 28, 2011 6:53 pm

Any pictures of the car after install?

Those sure are pretty

Midnight_Rider · Post by **Midnight_Rider** » Sat May 28, 2011 7:01 pm

LowNSlow wrote:Any pictures of the car after install?

It doesn't look that much different as I asked my mechanic to leave it pretty much at stock height. I still need to get an alignment and he said that the height might change at that time.

I am going back to see my mechanic one more time before Carlisle as he discovered that my rear brake shoes (or pads- I forget which and I don't know one part from another

) had corroded to the point of separation so they will need to be replaced. Before anyone comments- he didn't take the rear brakes apart when he did the CAI install (which led to the whole "return brake parts incident" with my old dealership's parts manager) so he was unaware of the condition of the rear brakes. He told me that I would be safe to drive to Carlisle and back but I'm not going to take any chances. This would probably explain the awful rattling noises I've had coming from the rear of my car for several years (that and the old tophats needing to be replaced- I forgot to mention in the pic post that I also had new tophats installed).

r/tguy02 · Post by **r/tguy02** » Sat May 28, 2011 8:04 pm

wow gramps nice mod! i would hope you at least lower it a little bit to help rid your srt of the 4x4 stance.
I actually have the same issue with my pads all the time with the backing plates rusting out

tis life living in the rustbelt

TheRandom1 · Post by **TheRandom1** » Sat May 28, 2011 8:55 pm

Sooo... after all the advice of the coilover thread, what made you decide to get them anyways over regular struts?

Neon4Life · Post by **Neon4Life** » Sat May 28, 2011 9:08 pm

Awesome mod there. I'm sure your gonna like the feel of coilovers.

Midnight_Rider · Post by **Midnight_Rider** » Sat May 28, 2011 11:47 pm

TheRandom1 wrote:Sooo... after all the advice of the coilover thread, what made you decide to get them anyways over regular struts?

I wanted to see if you would ask me that question.

Seriously, after I had the cash in hand for the brake job that didn't happen, I thought, "Why not?" It's just pure bling, nothing else. I mean, I don't autocross or race or anything like that but I wanted them and had the money. When I first started thinking about buying an SRT-4, I went through the Mopar Performance catalog and dreamed about buying everything. Not there yet but having a good time during the trip.

One more thing- I finally had the opportunity to clean the inside of the rims while the wheels were off the car (first time since I took delivery!

). I wish that I had had more time (and a buffer) but they look a lot better now.

Haganracing · Post by **Haganracing** » Sun May 29, 2011 1:55 am

Wow!!! Still can't believe you are modding your car gramps!!

Looks great!!! I love it, can't wait to see pictures of your car on the ground with the coils on

Fuzzyneon · Post by **Fuzzyneon** » Sun May 29, 2011 1:55 am

Holy shit gramps did a big mod ..........should of had him dump it for a pic with you in it cant wait for pics of car i know it isnt much diff then stock but your car is gorgeous and i have no doubts any part that goes into it is going to be tastefull and worth it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Post by **Canada** » Sun May 29, 2011 8:16 am

Gramps, once you get the height you want dialed in, and your alignment done, buy a product called 'Boeshield T9' I believe.

It's a spray coating that will lubricate the threads of the coils and then dry to a hard waxy surface, protecting the coils from getting and type of dirt, sand or corrosion on them, it's a fantastic product!

superdan · Post by **superdan** » Sun May 29, 2011 9:01 am

Canada wrote:Gramps, once you get the height you want dialed in, and your alignment done, buy a product called 'Boeshield T9' I believe.

It's a spray coating that will lubricate the threads of the coils and then dry to a hard waxy surface, protecting the coils from getting and type of dirt, sand or corrosion on them, it's a fantastic product!

Hm. Where can you get that stuff at? I really need a product like that.

Midnight_Rider · Post by **Midnight_Rider** » Sun May 29, 2011 9:05 am

^^http://boeshield.com/

TheRandom1 · Post by **TheRandom1** » Sun May 29, 2011 11:57 am

I wasn't ripping or trying to be a dick or anything Gramps, just couldn't figure out why you went that way. You seemed pretty convinced you didn't need/want them in the other thread.

Either way, they look fantastic! How "near" to the original height did you go? Pics?

MyNeonSaysHi · Post by **MyNeonSaysHi** » Sun May 29, 2011 12:24 pm

It's just pure bling, nothing else. I mean, I don't autocross or race or anything like that but I wanted them and had the money..

Does not comprehend. :S
Congrats on the purchase though, they do look great!

Haganracing · Post by **Haganracing** » Sun May 29, 2011 12:30 pm

Gramps, drop it as low as it can go!!!

LilSparkPlug · Post by **LilSparkPlug** » Sun May 29, 2011 12:43 pm

I'm jealous, I so need S3 coils

Midnight_Rider · Post by **Midnight_Rider** » Sun May 29, 2011 9:35 pm

TheRandom1 wrote:I wasn't ripping or trying to be a dick or anything Gramps, just couldn't figure out why you went that way. You seemed pretty convinced you didn't need/want them in the other thread.

Either way, they look fantastic! How "near" to the original height did you go? Pics?

It's all good Sean- I knew what you meant, I was the one being smart with my reply so you can

me, I have it coming.

No pics as of right now. My mechanic said that he left it at the lowered height that KW recommends (Front 355.1 +/- 5 mm, Rear 357.0 +/- 5 mm, whatever that means). I may have it lowered some more when I go back for the rear brake install, after I've lived with it a little. The drop is noticeable with the car just sitting in my garage.

LilSparkPlug wrote:I'm jealous, I so need S3 coils

No reason to be jealous, my car has nothing on your two.

LilSparkPlug · Post by **LilSparkPlug** » Sun May 29, 2011 9:37 pm

Take pictures of said car

Pllleeeeeeeease?

Midnight_Rider · Post by **Midnight_Rider** » Thu Jun 02, 2011 10:38 am

CM, I just re-read your comment and maybe I should have been more clear as these are the Stage 2's, not the Stage 3's. Car is dirty so no pics right now, sorry.

Just got back from the alignment shop and was told that my tie rods are very rusty, rusty to the point that the tech there said that I would probably have to replace them before another alignment. Dang this darn road salt!

TheRandom1 · Post by **TheRandom1** » Thu Jun 02, 2011 10:45 am

I have never in my life heard of a tie rod needing to be replaced because it's too rusty. As long as it is greased properly and can hold it's torque on the threaded area, there's no reason it should need to be replaced. At least that's what I've always held to be true.

Midnight_Rider · Post by **Midnight_Rider** » Thu Jun 02, 2011 10:51 am

Well, my mechanic broke a bolt on the passenger-side rear brake assembly due to rust when he was installing the coilovers so I apparently have a pretty good case of rust on the mechanicals. Body-wise the car is fine since it was Ziebarted. I neved intended for the car to be a daily driver and this is the price it is paying for my using it as such.

TheRandom1 · Post by **TheRandom1** » Thu Jun 02, 2011 10:56 am

Breaking bolts happens on any car driven in the rust belt, that doesn't mean you have to replace parts.

Sounds to me like either your mechanic is too lazy to work on a part that may be difficult because of rust... or he's trying to get you to shell out money needlessly.

Danteneon · Post by **Danteneon** » Thu Jun 02, 2011 11:41 am

Very nice mod David

Just so you know, there is a limit to how low you can go with the MP coilovers and keep your warranty. You will not see too much of a drop using that limit.

And I wouldn't worry too much about coating the coilovers. The polished stainless steel body and nylon perches makes for a very weather resistant package. A good wipe down every now and then will keep them looking like new.

stdlystdmufn · Post by **stdlystdmufn** » Thu Jun 02, 2011 11:47 am

very nice mod im glad your guy came through

LilSparkPlug · Post by **LilSparkPlug** » Thu Jun 02, 2011 4:07 pm

Midnight_Rider wrote:CM, I just re-read your comment and maybe I should have been more clear as these are the Stage 2's, not the Stage 3's. Car is dirty so no pics right now, sorry.

Even still....I'm jealous

They're on my to-do list, but in S3 form. They're hands down the best riding coilovers for these cars. I'm not so sure I agree with replacing the tie rod due to rust. If it's not worn, it doesn't need to be replaced. Surface rust isn't going to harm it. I got well over 100k out of my tie rod ends.

Nee's windows match his paint right now...damn pollen so I completely understand!!!