[jda95bird]

I’ve started working on getting my front shocks together for my suspension rebuild. I went with these $14 API shocks from rockauto. They are listed as wholesaler close out.

I used a pipe cutter to cut them down. Once I cleaned up the edges the bilstein inserts slid right in. There’s no need to machine down the inserts or use a press on these.

While the bottom isn’t crimped like S4gunn talked about and doesn’t need to be pressed flat as, I believe, MaddMartigan did, there is still an inner lip that prevents the insert from going all the way down. I’m currently trying to decide if I want to try to flatten this down more to reach more threads or make an insert like S4gunn did in his thread.

I’ve also been working on modifying the upper mounts, but I’m currently still trying to remove rubber.

 

[Zep5.0]

I've been worried about mine fitting, so I just placed an order for these. Will be nice to do this without taking the current ones off the car. Can just put them on with springs when it's back from paint.

 

[CDsDontBurn]

Looking good! Another one with the 3000GT insert mod is a great sight to see! 😀

 

[Grog6]

I need to order a set while they're still around. It's just hard to justify, with my current parts stash.
jda95bird, nice tip on donor shock bodies.

 

[jda95bird]

I need to order a set while they're still around. It's just hard to justify, with my current parts stash.
jda95bird, nice tip on donor shock bodies.

I was really happy that they worked out without a lot of extra work.

 

[Grog6]

Just remember whats holding the suspension together if you go 'General Lee' with it.
The bolt in the back is about the same, lol.

 

[jda95bird]

So, has anyone tried to use the 3000gt strut upper mounts as opposed to trying to modify thunderbird mounts? I was thinking about ordering one to check it out. Just from looking at pics on rockauto the bolt holes won’t align, but I feel like it would be easier to drill new bolt holes instead of everything involved with the stock ones.

 

[Zep5.0]

I don't recall reading anything on that when I decided to buy the inserts. If the overall diameter works, that may be an option.

 

[XR7-4.6]

The 3000GT mounts don’t have a spring seat, and you can’t use the 3000GT spring seat because the spring diameter is substantially larger than ours. Plus it’s a rotatable strut mount and our cars don’t use struts.

 

[jda95bird]

I bought the KYB mounts. It was the only brand rockauto had in stock at the time. After removing the rubber the opening is around 1 3/4”. This is the same as the OEM mounts according to the MaddMartigans posts. One of the aftermarket ones were 1 1/2” but the brand wasn’t specified. S4gunn’s thread says that the holes ranged from 0.83 to 1.25 on the ones they tried out.

Removing all of this rubber is a pain in the ass. I’ll be working on this for a while inbetween my other 50 projects.

 

[Grog6]

The upper mounts MM made have bearings; it doesnt seem to hurt them.

 

[XR7-4.6]

That was because they were a convenient retrofit, bearings wont hurt anything but its just another unidesirable aspect to the 3000gt uppers

 

[Wile E. Coyote Jr.]

Any photos on what youre doing on the top mounts? I cant quite invision what you mean.

 

[jda95bird]

I don’t have any pics. I’m doing the same thing MaddMartigan and S4gunn did with the spherical bearings. I’m talking about the opening once you remove the center tube and all of the rubber around it.

Here is a picture from S4gunn’s thread with the rubber removed and the bearing housing in its place. That opening should be around 1.25” I believe.

 

[jda95bird]

This pic is from MaddMartigan’s post.

 

[Grog6]

He welded in the spherical bearing and mount.
You want the thick factory washer on top, so it won't go back thru.

 

[CDsDontBurn]

This is what mine looked like from @MaddMartigan

 

[Zep5.0]

Mine too. I think he made yours and mine at the same time?

 

[Noser7mil]

I have a set of upper mounts for sale if your interest. Pm me

 

[Noser7mil]

I also have vogtland 1.6 front springs.
The top hats are already modified