[Cobra3657]

Hey all.

I have some concerns about the FFR tubular A-arms and the front coil-overs. I assembled the front suspension today, and everything looked good until I went to install the coil-overs. The first picture shows where the lower spring perch on the coil-over hits part of the FFR tubular A-arm (red circle). This seems to be significantly restricting the travel range of the front suspension. The position of the a-arms in these pictures is as low as that spring perch will allow them to go. Does this look right to those of you who have installed FFR's tubular A-arms? I haven't been able to find a really good picture to compare mine to. Should the front suspension be able to extend lower than where mine is in these pictures, or am I getting all worried over nothing? Mainly, I don't like how the whole front suspension binds on that spring perch when it's fully extended. Also, what is a good rough height for the coil-overs to be adjusted to during assembly? I don't have any wheels yet.

Thanks a lot!

 

[Platt Green]

The picture in the roadster assembly manual that I have shows the shock mounted the opposite direction of the way you have it. The coupe kit that I have included some tubular spacers that install between the rod end and the spring perch enabling the shock to be mounted the way you have it. I'd have to dig out the parts to be able to give you dimensions of the spacers.

 

[Gatorac]

Turn 'em over. It's gonna be a mutha to try and adjust those later the way you have them.

 

[pacemaker]

Hey Mr. Cobra

I can't tell from your picture, but do you have the 0.62" spacer installed on the coilover between the rod end and the spring cap? It doesn't look like it from here and that would give you the clearance over the lower control arm you need. There's not a lot of clearance, but it's about 3/8" on mine at full bottom.

 

[thunderball]

keep em facing rod down and install the spacer that goes beween the domed cap and the rod end. Normal ffr engineering here, nuttin' but a piecs of 1/2 steel tube cut about 1 inch long.

 

[CAPTDON]

Cobra3657
I built 3 different lower control arms so far. (1) was a basic A-arm with gusset plate with the standard shock bracket. Looked great but only had 4" of travel !!!!!!! (2) was the same basic A-arm with plate also but I cut a slot for the shock like you have yours and had the same problem your having. (3) I got the solution(I think)some what like 1&2 but build a box below the gusset and use the shock in the upright position. The only problem was I used 1 1/2" space for standard shocks to attach. Hint you need 2" for these shocks. Now for for the 2$ question ( How many of you know what the rubber gromet is for on thePRO-SHOCKS ?) I made the phone call.Du DuDu.By the way take a close look and think about the travel and stops. Do you really want to use the ball joints as stops.I had to reply to you guestion.This is what this forum is all about .Just wait till you get your FR 15 steering and find about the limit stops.

 

[Cobra3657]

AH HA! So there IS supposed to be a spacer. I suspected as much, but I don't have any such spacers in the kit.

The coilover has to be mounted upside down like this when using the FFR tubular a-arms because the other end is simply too big to fit into the mounting bracket on the tubular a-arm.

FFR actually did not include any of the spacers for the coil-overs in the kit (including the ones that go on either side of the mounting bolt at both ends). I called them yesterday about this and they're shipping me some now. It sure would be nice if they include the spacer that goes between the spring perch and the rod end, but if it's just 1/2" tubing, I can make my own. Platt, I'd really appreciate it if you could post the dimensions.

Thanks a lot, everyone!

 

[Richard Oben]

The spacer is missing. Cheers Richard.

 

[Cobra3657]

The little rubber bushings are shock travel indicators, nothing more.

I also don't like the idea of using the ball joints as bump stops, but there's not a good place to install a simple rubber bump stop. Any ideas?

 

[Roger]

Hard to believe.

Roger

 

[CAPTDON]

Cobra3657
While I was on the phone ,finding out about the travel indicator, the shock's installedl to the correct length will serve as the stop also.HUHUHU. Page 39-40 in the FFR Manual shows the assembly and the FFR # 12112 top rear/12113 top front/12114 bottom lower (both)

 

[TAZ]

Flip them over.

Here's mine. It will fit.

 

[kobrak]

Well, please allow me to show my stupidity with the following q's. I have the same upper A-arms as cobra3657. I read the manual and it states curved part towards the rear or front or whatever (can't remember I'm at work). Anyway.....it shows a pic in the book, but it is diffenrent A-uppers than mine (like cobras). TAZ has differne tA-uppers....anyway it looks like it. So...I sit here feeling pretty stupid, as I'm not sure I'm mounting them on the right side(s)?? Mine are the precision one racing A-arms.

 

[ORANGE CRUSH]

The adjustable uppers can go on either side, but just make sure the ball joint mount is orientated properly. It would look real obvious if you were to flip them the wrong way.

 

[Platt Green]

Sorry it has taken me so long to get back to you with this info. The spacer is made from 3/4"OD x .120" wall DOM tubing and is 5/8" long. The two washers on each side of it seem to be machinery bushings 7/8"OD x 1/2"ID and .065" thick.

 

[oldguy668]

Those of us with the Silver shocks need not worry about this spacer?

 

[Cobra3657]

Thanks for the info, Platt! I may just call FFR about those spacers.

I'll try flipping the shock over the other way again tonight. I suppose it'll be ok to have the spring perch act as a bump stop.

 

[Richard Oben]

Taz yours are upside down. They will break if you do not invert them and add the spacers. If you have the mustang arms the orientation shown by taz is correct.

Joe you are correct. With the silver QA1 shocks there are no spacers needed.

Cheers Richard.

 

[Cobra3657]

Tried flipping them over like TAZ has them. There is no possible way they will fit like that. It's impossible to get the bolt through, and even if I could, there would be no room for the shock to move. I know that FFR changed the tubular A-arms at some point because the picture they have on their site looks different from the ones I have. From what I can tell, TAZ has the same ones that I have, and I'm completely stumped as to how you got the coil-overs to fit like that! Oh well, I'm following Richard's advice.

Thanks again, everyone!

 

[TAZ]

I need to check them when I get home, but I didn't notice interferance with them except when initially putting them on and having them adjusted mostly open. After I adjusted the nut past the cross bar on the A-arm it didn't seem to have any interference when sitting on jack stands. And there definetely wasn't any interference when sitting on the ground with the engine in it.

TAZ