AzPete
Well-Known Member
OK, I have installed stock perches and Opentrackers Street upper and lower control arms in the last few months. Car aligns good and no driving problems. Then, along comes this offer for a set of new roller perches (Thanks Mid). Now, I have not been one to either have to or not have to do them. I looked at if there would be enough change for the cost....you know, limited budget type life. I also am not one to turn down a deal. So, over to Midlifes cave this am and do the switch.
Started at 9am. Just compressed the spring in place and swapped the drivers side. Found an odd thing as these perches did not have any rubber pads for the springs to set on. Hmmmmm. Drilled holes and used the pads from the near new stock units. Install is nice since the bolts to mount the perch with are removable. A bit of side pressure on the spring and all is back in place.
OK, delay time as we decided the shocks might as well be replaced. An hour or so later, we find the only set in Panama City, a set of Monroes at O'Rielly's.
Now, back to work. Same deal on the passenger side. Used the compressor with the hex head on top, hooked it to the 3rd spring coil from the bottom, (this was with the weight of the car on the lower arm), and used two bars across the top of the coil tower to hook the other end to. Compress the spring and raise the car to let the arm lower down. R&R'e the perch (done about 1:30 I think) and it is adult beverage time.
Now, the drive home sucked big time. I stopped after about 5 miles and made sure all was in place on the front end. I had front tire squeal above 30 mph. The car was real wild to drive above 40 mph as it was all over the road. WTF>>>>>no changes were made to the alignment. Not even one bolt touched. Bounced the car....all moved good and normal but the car sat a bit high. No, the adult beverages were not doing it either. It was even dragging the gravel in the RV park as it left a trail.
Called Mid to verify my thoughts as to the alignment should not have been changed. He suggested to drive it as was my plan. Car still bounced fine and all was in place.
Hop in the car to go to dinner and a cruise in and it is like I had been dreaming. At first, it was wild again, then within a couple of miles, the car was driving just like it always did. Still no changes done to the front. All is still in the same places. Have no idea as to what made the change but the car drives good and it looks to sit just a tad bit higher. Front end checks good.
As to the new perches...I really need more driving to evaluate them better. I will say speed bumps feel much softer and a couple of corners I ran thru felt pretty good. Oh, and the pink stripes are hidden good. The new shocks took care of the rattle I had in the front too. More testing soon.
Started at 9am. Just compressed the spring in place and swapped the drivers side. Found an odd thing as these perches did not have any rubber pads for the springs to set on. Hmmmmm. Drilled holes and used the pads from the near new stock units. Install is nice since the bolts to mount the perch with are removable. A bit of side pressure on the spring and all is back in place.
OK, delay time as we decided the shocks might as well be replaced. An hour or so later, we find the only set in Panama City, a set of Monroes at O'Rielly's.
Now, back to work. Same deal on the passenger side. Used the compressor with the hex head on top, hooked it to the 3rd spring coil from the bottom, (this was with the weight of the car on the lower arm), and used two bars across the top of the coil tower to hook the other end to. Compress the spring and raise the car to let the arm lower down. R&R'e the perch (done about 1:30 I think) and it is adult beverage time.
Now, the drive home sucked big time. I stopped after about 5 miles and made sure all was in place on the front end. I had front tire squeal above 30 mph. The car was real wild to drive above 40 mph as it was all over the road. WTF>>>>>no changes were made to the alignment. Not even one bolt touched. Bounced the car....all moved good and normal but the car sat a bit high. No, the adult beverages were not doing it either. It was even dragging the gravel in the RV park as it left a trail.
Called Mid to verify my thoughts as to the alignment should not have been changed. He suggested to drive it as was my plan. Car still bounced fine and all was in place.
Hop in the car to go to dinner and a cruise in and it is like I had been dreaming. At first, it was wild again, then within a couple of miles, the car was driving just like it always did. Still no changes done to the front. All is still in the same places. Have no idea as to what made the change but the car drives good and it looks to sit just a tad bit higher. Front end checks good.
As to the new perches...I really need more driving to evaluate them better. I will say speed bumps feel much softer and a couple of corners I ran thru felt pretty good. Oh, and the pink stripes are hidden good. The new shocks took care of the rattle I had in the front too. More testing soon.