88 front shocks

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Mar 3, 2007 | 04:27 PM

FostersPerformance

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Melting Slicks

Joined: Jul 2003

Posts: 3,491

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From: Saratoga Springs NY

2024 C4 of the Year Finalist - Modified

2022 C4 of the Year Finalist - Modified

88 front shocks

I remember seeing a guy here awile ago that was installing new shocks on his c4...He said he was having a hard time torquing the upper shock nut due to the fact that the rubber just squeezes out before the 20lbs is reached..I thought he was crazy but should have paid attention, because thats exactly whats happening to me. I rebuilt this car frame up, all new everything, all poly bushings, but opted to not use the poly shock bushings to try to get a better ride (never drove the car, its still on blocks, but rubber shock bushings just sounds better to me.)....
Any input??? I have my snapon torque wrench in the allen stud,set on reverse at 20lbs, with a wrench holding the nut. But yeah, the rubber just pushes out.....

Thanks all......

Mar 3, 2007 | 11:04 PM

Aardwolf

Race Director

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From: WI

That was me! With the car on the ground I set the torque so that the bushing is tense but not squeezed over and out of the cupped metal washer. I have been intending to ask some guys at the track if it looks OK but haven't got out, there was another huge snowfall here.

Mar 4, 2007 | 01:15 AM

FostersPerformance

Thread Starter

Melting Slicks

Joined: Jul 2003

Posts: 3,491

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From: Saratoga Springs NY

2024 C4 of the Year Finalist - Modified

2022 C4 of the Year Finalist - Modified

Thanks!!!
My car is still on stands, no chance of putting her down on her feet just yet. I just tightened the nut about 3-4 turns past the nylon in the nut. Figured when i set it down i can go from there.
Not sure if its right, but ill find out i guess.
I did play around with the poly bushings, but they just seem too small diameter...Has anyone used these????

Mar 4, 2007 | 01:52 AM

65Z01

Team Owner

Joined: Dec 2000

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From: SE NY

Cruise-In II Veteran

I think poly bushings would give better shock action.

Good idea, I'll have to check with ES before doing my shocks.

Mar 4, 2007 | 09:31 AM

BADDUCK

Le Mans Master

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From: One day you're a Comet...the next day you're dust... Arkansas

Finish torqueing the top front shock nut with the front end under load.

Mar 4, 2007 | 10:24 AM

FostersPerformance

Thread Starter

Melting Slicks

Joined: Jul 2003

Posts: 3,491

Likes: 868

From: Saratoga Springs NY

2024 C4 of the Year Finalist - Modified

2022 C4 of the Year Finalist - Modified

About how many threads are exposed past the nut with the car on the ground and the nut torqued ??? Just curious.......

Mar 4, 2007 | 10:54 AM

Aardwolf

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From: WI

I can't even get to the shop after this last blizzard. When the car is jacked up, the side in the air has about 1/8"-3/16" of gap between the bushing and mount on my car. There is a raised part of the bushing that slots into the hole in the washer. I made sure that could not come out of the hole to get misaligned. Really if I tighten it any more the bushing bulges way out of the washer. I'd like to go back and put poly in there one of these days.

Mar 4, 2007 | 12:00 PM

FostersPerformance

Thread Starter

Melting Slicks

Joined: Jul 2003

Posts: 3,491

Likes: 868

From: Saratoga Springs NY

2024 C4 of the Year Finalist - Modified

2022 C4 of the Year Finalist - Modified

Well, the poly bushings i have are from VBP , and they are, id say ,almost half the diameter of the rubber ones.. I mocked it all up, and they just seem too small...

Anyone thats has used the poly care to give your 2cents worth????

Other then the shock bushings, the VBP kit was excellent....(The P/S rack was another issue though!!!)