This is me getting my tracking # from Flyin Miata

"Frank Grimes" (FrankGrimes)
06/03/2014 at 17:34 • Filed to: None

DISCUSSION (14)

YSI-what can brown do for you > Frank Grimes
06/03/2014 at 17:35

Ohhhhh, tracking number for what?

Frank Grimes > YSI-what can brown do for you
06/03/2014 at 17:37

vmaxx stage 2 kit.

YSI-what can brown do for you > Frank Grimes
06/03/2014 at 17:40

Gettin' dem suspension parts, I see. Nicely done!

Jayhawk Jake > Frank Grimes
06/03/2014 at 18:19

That is one of my top 5 favorite things on youtube

Frank Grimes > Jayhawk Jake
06/03/2014 at 19:23

I know I cant stop

TheD0k_2many toys 2little time > Frank Grimes
06/03/2014 at 21:10

Im actually looking to get that exact kit for my 03!!! Tell me how it is please

Frank Grimes > TheD0k_2many toys 2little time
06/03/2014 at 22:53

I will do you want install pics? Modelling photos? Burnouts for some reason? Me jumping the miata? Mountain drifting like initial D?

TheD0k_2many toys 2little time > Frank Grimes
06/05/2014 at 04:18

All of those sound like legitimate reviews :) Install difficulty and first impressions would be nice

Frank Grimes > TheD0k_2many toys 2little time
06/05/2014 at 13:53

I can manage that.

TheD0k_2many toys 2little time > Frank Grimes
06/05/2014 at 16:33

Thank you sir

Kinja'd!!!

Frank Grimes > TheD0k_2many toys 2little time
06/06/2014 at 00:11

I finished the install a few hours ago. It took me 5.5 hours start to finish. I installed FM sways and VMaxx classics. It is quite easy once you get one corner done. I was quite nervous doing it wondering if all the bolts would be a pain and if the sways would be a challenge to get out.

I did the long bolt method which to be brief the shocks are loosened up under car weight the upper a arm bolt is removed and the suspension lowered and the top of the shock pulled out with the spring.

Everything went well but some of the bolts were a pain to get off because of rust and oldness and having to use a ratchet wrench because some of the bolts my impact wouldn't fit in the space. It was pretty easy doing it this way and because of the shorter coil overs compared to the stock coilovers it was easier to remove and install the coilovers also the long bolt method you dont need to compress the springs to remove and unbolting the a arm lets you just pull the coilover out towards the outside of the car. Using a floor jack to lower the suspension unloads the springs and the reverse happens with the install. There wasnt a whole lot that can go wrong there is a lot of unbolting stuff which obviously take a long time. If your car has ABS like mine the wheel speed sensors need to be unbolted from the fender to make room for the sways to come out and the engine undertray needs to be unbolted to access sway mounts.

I havent got the car on the ground yet I imagine final tightening of all the suspension bolts will be a pain. For some reason the instructions say this needs to be done with the wheels on the ground. Also I am not looking forward to adjust the height of the car.

The most trouble I had was barking my shin into a brake backing plate and a broken rear sway stud which will need to be drilled out and a new one installed.

I am not sure what else info you are looking for but this is all I could think of.

TheD0k_2many toys 2little time > Frank Grimes
06/06/2014 at 10:32

Wow thanks! So it doesn't sound like it should be too bad for me to do in my garage then. Just need to set aside a weekend to do it.

Thanks man!

Frank Grimes > TheD0k_2many toys 2little time
06/06/2014 at 13:27

I found this video helpful to see the process. Also if your car has abs the rear wheel sensors will be pretty tight under tension from lowering the a arms to get the springs out. Be careful this caught me by suprise and it would suck to destroy one.

If you destroy a sway bar mount bolt in the rear (very common to happen) the size is 8mm 1.25 thread pitch about an 1" long or 25mm I went with 30mm 1" seemed too small but we shall see if I got the right bolts.

one more thing I used four jack stands and just lifted the car up and used two floor jacks to put weight under each suspension corner when the need arose. I dont know if this makes it easier but I just hate laying under a car adjusting floor jacks all around.

TheD0k_2many toys 2little time > Frank Grimes
06/06/2014 at 14:09

Yes no abs which is nice. Dont like messing with that stuff lol.

Thanks for all the help. Hopefully by the end of the summer i will have mine on. :)