A presumptuous longshot... SOS

[OVERDRIFT]

Hokay, soh. Through a series of unfortunate events I have had the NA up on jacks to replace the shocks twice in the last four days. Both times ive almost had them out before needing to put it all together again. The second time i really realized that it's a two man job.

First time autozone gave me the wrong spring compressor. Second time the shocks i was sold were bad. I have all new kyb ordered and they should be in next week. Problem is next weekend i need to have good shocks on for some "hard" mountain driving with guests coming in from out of state.

My over the top question is this. Is there anyone out here that has done this before that could help me some night next week. I am familiar with getting the backs out and the fronts i only know what ive read. I have the tools for the job and can provide a sixpack of your choice and pizza to anyone who can help me get all put in there.

I know (personally) that getting these things in there is a *****. I know I am very very new here and you guys don't know me from adam. I certiainly don't expect anything but figured I would put out an SOS just in case.

Cheers

[MeFryRice]

I would be willing to lend a hand if I was in town. :(

[amaff]

Where are you @? And, I really don't know what you're talking about in regards to them being a pain, because I've had all 4 shocks off the car, disassembled and back on the car in an hour and a half. Where are you getting hung up?

[ben91]

where are you located? is the car drivable? i have a lift

I also have a set of KYB on aftermarket springs already assembled. they're FM or something. can you cancel yours?

[RotorNutFD3S]

Trust me, you post up where you are and that you have food and drink, and you may have half the forum at your doorsteps. :D

[MeFryRice]

^^ this is a true fact! :)

[Doppelgänger]

I can helps...

[Jack-MX5ATLanta.com]

As above, I can help. It's really not that bad, especially if you have the right tools. Where are you?

[MoD_Scotty]

If I lived in ATL, I'd definitely be able to help. I've done this twice on my bro's NA, and once we figured out the right way to do it, it wasn't too hard. I'm about to do the same thing on my NB on Friday, hopefully it'll go smoothly.

[OVERDRIFT]

Oh wow! This is amazing! I cannot believe the response on this.

As far as the shocks go ben91 i am looking for something close to oem and these are pretty cheap. I don't need anything really stiff. Are they gr-2 or agx. How much were you offering them for?

As the the response for help- Many hands make light work. My goal here is to have them in by next weekend and unfortunately I cannot do anything this weekend as parents are in town and I am hosting them. Next weekend though a good friend comes in town and she and I have a trip to the mountains planned. She really wants to see what the miata can do and I don't trust the current shocks to any sort of mtn driving.

My plan is either to get them installed in my apt complex or in tucker behind work but honestly if someone has a better location and can get all four in quicker that way please let me know. Even if there is more than one person helping I can still provide booze and pizza of your choice. I don't believe more than two extra people would be needed for this and honestly my wallet cannot hold half the forum :D hahahahah


I am amazed you guys think this is easy. Ive got the backs done once and it was reeeaaallly hairy.

[OVERDRIFT]

Situation changed. Shocks arrive today. Is there an evening that works for anyone?


tn

[2pt5RS]

he's in tucker during the day and peachtree industrial in teh evenings.

[Jack-MX5ATLanta.com]

You should get in touch with jessealexjonasbrother on here and see if you can go to his place(Dacula) and do it. If you do I'm sure a few of us could make it there, I know I could.

[amaff]

This week's completely blocked out for me, and next week I'm working nights, so I guess I'm out. Failsauce.

[Doppelgänger]

I live off P'tree Ind. just inside the perimeter....if some of us want to get together one evening.

[Roadster]

I work in Tucker as well. My boss's '36 Roadster is on the lift right now, I'll ask him if we can move it temporarily. If you work/live nearby it would be pretty convenient. We're right on Lawrenceville Hwy. next door to the Longhorn/Tucker Tire.

Even if the lift is unavailable, there's still plenty of room inside the shop to get it up on jackstands and have access to all the tools.

[MeFryRice]

I can't help this week as I'll be out of town. :(

[OVERDRIFT]

OH WOW Shock boots and dust covers are 115 for four. The ones on the car have intact boots but the dust covers are shot. Anyone know a better source than mazmart for these cheaper?

I am thinking either monday or tuesday for some sort of get together for this. How does that work for people? Does anyone have a garage to do this in? Just wishing on a star here, it gets cold these nights.


Thanks

Edit: Roadster I just saw your post. Thanks for the offer. how feasible would it be for you or someone who knows how to do this fairly quick and painlessly get down there to help?

[amaff]

Um... what's the difference b/w the dust covers and the boots? AFAIK they're one and the same, so having one shot and the other intact makes next to no sense....

[Jack-MX5ATLanta.com]

Not quite sure what you mean between shock and dust cover. Do you mean the incorporated bump stop? I know that to buy them new from anyway is really expensive, but if you want a slight upgrade buy some fatcatmotorsport bump stops and then just go to autozone/advanced auto and buy the generic shock boots they sell and use zip ties to really get them in place.

http://www.autozone.com/selectedZip,30606/initialAction,accessoryProductDetail/initialR,627373/shopping/selectZip.htm

Those are what I used... well 4 not 300 :lol:

Alternatively, you could ask Kurt (aka metalman) if he has any lying around, which I think he does because I swear I can remember someone posting pictures of some.

[OVERDRIFT]

Interesting. Yes my bumpstops are fine but the dust covers are ripped and torn to pieces. I thought that there might be som esort of cheap option for it. The page you linked to autozone doesn't load up. :(

[amaff]

dust boots are for pansies! :p

Actually, there really aren't any dust boots that'll fit my 6" x 2.25" springs lol

The link didn't work for me either, but I'm sure it was just for generic dust boots, no big deal there. Save your bumpstops, get new boots if you must, and go to town.

The bumpstops / dustboots are 1 piece (as far as stock goes) in the miata, so you can just trim the old dust boot section off and save the bump stops

[RotorNutFD3S]

FWIW, my Bilstein's boots are torn to shreds, but I've not taken them off. No problems though.

[Roadster]

OH WOW Shock boots and dust covers are 115 for four. The ones on the car have intact boots but the dust covers are shot. Anyone know a better source than mazmart for these cheaper?

I am thinking either monday or tuesday for some sort of get together for this. How does that work for people? Does anyone have a garage to do this in? Just wishing on a star here, it gets cold these nights.


Thanks

Edit: Roadster I just saw your post. Thanks for the offer. how feasible would it be for you or someone who knows how to do this fairly quick and painlessly get down there to help?


I can do it any evening after work next week EXCEPT for Monday. Doesn't take very long with the right tools. I did it in 3 hours my first time around with no instruction and no air tools or anything, so it could be done in 2, maybe less if someone else pitches in.

[MeFryRice]

Well if you have someone working on one side and the other person on the other side, it can be done fairly quick.

[Doppelgänger]

Bring it to the tech day next month?

[OVERDRIFT]

Doppel,
Unfortunately I have a need to get these on by next friday. Were it not time sensitive I would have all sorts of options.

I went on and ordered bumpstop/dustcovers from mazmart. I see it like this. The shocks will last me a good while. The bumpstops are likely all original parts (god knows the previous owner didnt give her the attention she needs) and if i get one. just one. that is bad or damaged when its being replaced it is time wasted for everyone and me out a fixed car. I have money in the budget (no but car gets priority) and no time.

Roadster, thanks for your offer. I'll pm you and we can get something set up. If anything would make me hardcore about this forum its the overwhelming response I got from everyone. I may go to the tech day if only to see where i can lend a hand.

[ben91]

I went on and ordered bumpstop/dustcovers from mazmart.
Oh. Trevor? Meet Ben. :lol:

They'll be in Tuesday AM.

[MeFryRice]

I can help you on next friday afternoon if you haven't done it by then.

[OVERDRIFT]

BEN!? HAHAHAHAH you rock man for putting up with my "what the heck part is that it cant be bump stops" bit. ^_^ Thanks for getting them in for me. Awesome that you are on the forums. My respect for this place grows daily!

[Jack-MX5ATLanta.com]

So did you figure out a when/where?

[Roadster]

He's coming by the shop Tuesday evening.

[Jack-MX5ATLanta.com]

Ah good luck, I won't be able to make that. Having an election party at my place for Obama's impending victory banana

[OVERDRIFT]

HOKAY. Sorry to leave this dead for a bit. I did indeed go over to roadster's shop and got all 4 in flawlessly in 3.5 hours or less. Seeing what i have seen it would have been a hellish and maybe impossible affair for me to do it myself at my point of knowledge.

While I removed a nut here or a screw there honestly it was Roadster and his friend paul who did everything. They got into it and I did my best to stay out of their way. Very skilled individuals. Also paul owns a *****in AE86. Bringing the tofu to the good guys.

Anyhow, the report is that the car is a totally different animal now. I am continuously blown away by how good it feels. I thought it felt awesome before but that was junk compared to this!

Thanks to the help of all of you my trip to the mountains last weekend was a grand success with some very good driving involved.

[Doppelgänger]

very good! Now post pictures..... or ban :lol:

[Roadster]

Happy to have helped out. Glad you're enjoying it. :)

[RotorNutFD3S]

Congrats! As said, pics or ban!

[wantboost]

glad you are enjoying it.

[OVERDRIFT]

Pictures coming this weekend! I'll have someone with a dslr take some glamour shots.