Suspension thoughts and a thank you...

[Mikelly]

So some of you have read the back and forth between Dan (Vivid) and I. We had a mis-understanding about a part I bought and the "how" and "why" of the lack of communications between a vendor and customer. There's enough fault to go around, but there was also some F'you and F'you back and forth... I'm guilty of being an ******* when I think I'm right...

Dan contacted me when I was posted about upgrading my suspension components to save my tires from getting chewed up. He made me an offer I couldn't refuse and I got a couple of boxes of parts in the mail. In the end the car became much more stable and I'm happy to report his "dog bone" upper rear control arms are noise free and very easy to adjust for both camber and toe.

I didn't "THANK" Dan properly for stepping up and trying to build a bridge with a "former" customer, so I'll do so now...

Thanks Dan and Vivid. I appreciate your help in making parts available to me at a time when money was tight and I needed help!

Mike Kelly

[tom kerr]

Originally Posted by Mikelly

So some of you have read the back and forth between Dan (Vivid) and I. We had a mis-understanding about a part I bought and the "how" and "why" of the lack of communications between a vendor and customer. There's enough fault to go around, but there was also some F'you and F'you back and forth... I'm guilty of being an ******* when I think I'm right...

Dan contacted me when I was posted about upgrading my suspension components to save my tires from getting chewed up. He made me an offer I couldn't refuse and I got a couple of boxes of parts in the mail. In the end the car became much more stable and I'm happy to report his "dog bone" upper rear control arms are noise free and very easy to adjust for both camber and toe.

I didn't "THANK" Dan properly for stepping up and trying to build a bridge with a "former" customer, so I'll do so now...

Thanks Dan and Vivid. I appreciate your help in making parts available to me at a time when money was tight and I needed help!

Mike Kelly

I have always had good experiences with Dan and Vivid, Dan does go out of his way and above and beyond to make the customer happy.

[iLLM3]

Glad you are both happy in the end... Mike I promise, I will get you those pic's tomorrow for the Michelin cups, they are yours!

[Mikelly]

The ability to get enough camber for the car to work properly has transformed the car. Now I have to be more patient at turn in as the car is much more responsive.

Ill be upgrading the top mounts on the shocks to solid mounts, installing some solid thrust bushings, adjustable Toe links and lock plates, along with solid motor mounts... Then over the winter I'm pulling the PSS9s off and sending them back to Bilstein for a revalving. That, along with the proper spring, will finish off the suspension work for this car.

Then it'll be "drive consistantly" to get it "right" with me.

Mike

[TXGold]

Nice work ya'll. Way to work it out It takes a big man to make an apology like that Mike.

What kind of deal does Vivid have on the "dog bones?" What about a cheap c/o?

[Mikelly]

Their Dogbones go for $562.49. I have made a lot of my own stuff over the years, and by the time you source all the parts yourself, you'll break even or maybe save $100... Save yourself the headache and just buy them from a decent vendor like Dan.

BTW, These are an hour to install... At most... 8 bolts total, no noise, no rattles, high grade heim joints and quality parts in a bright blue anodized finish!

Mike

[joyride]

Mike, where are you getting your solid motor mounts and thrust bushings from? I think solid control arm and subframe bushings are a good idea too.
(get the bump steer adjustable toe links)

[Mikelly]

Still working those issues, but Dan and I are in discussions...

Mike

[iLLM3]

Originally Posted by Mikelly

The ability to get enough camber for the car to work properly has transformed the car. Now I have to be more patient at turn in as the car is much more responsive.

Ill be upgrading the top mounts on the shocks to solid mounts, installing some solid thrust bushings, adjustable Toe links and lock plates, along with solid motor mounts... Then over the winter I'm pulling the PSS9s off and sending them back to Bilstein for a revalving. That, along with the proper spring, will finish off the suspension work for this car.

Then it'll be "drive consistantly" to get it "right" with me.

Mike

Mike, you are going to have a monster setup with you behind the wheel, can't wait to see your impressions!

[vividracing]

Hey much appreciated. We are all humans and get hot sometimes. Either way it was my goal and the right thing to do to earn you back as a customer.

For those wanting to look at our 996TT Suspension Catalog, click here.

[itacud]

Good to hear that things are working out with Vivid!

Mike, what sort of strut top mounts are you looking at getting? It looks like a few of the camber plates that were supposed to work with our AWD cars turn out not too (like Tarret's), or aren't made any more, (like EVOMS).

On that note, does anybody know precisely how the 2WD and AWD monoball strut mounts differ? Wouldn't the monoball accomodate for the different strut angles in front? Just curious... =)

[vividracing]

http://www.vividracing.com/catalog/s...=38&class_8=38

Here is the camber plates and rear pillowball mounts. These are made for the AWD car geometry specifically.

[Mikelly]

http://www.vividracing.com/catalog/m...t78hre17t7lci1

These are the units another member here sold me at a very reasonable price, used with very little mileage on them...

I plan to get the matching units from Dan at Vivid.

The purpose I bought them was for fixing the "rubber" issue and getting something that could rotate to the proper angle and not bind the strut/spring assembly!

Mike

[vividracing]

I have seen these in person at Mode here in town. They are pretty awesome!

[FAST FWD]

I have the Mode upper shock mounts in my car. They did not help with getting more negative camber. I ran out of room in the fender to move the strut before I got to -2 degrees camber. GT3 control arms are being installed as I write. I'll provide an update after I go for an alignment this afternoon.

Jon