QA1 Coilver Upper Shock Mount Issue

[Mr Nick]

I'm having trouble keeping my QA1 coilover shock shaft centered in the mounting hole. It appears the hole is not centered within the spring mount, and the shock tries to center itself, pushing the bushing out of the way and contacts the frame and starts to squeak.

I contacted QA1 and they suggested I use poly shock bushings. The thought is the little nubs on the bushings are more sturdy and would stay centered in the frame better, but it only lasted a 100 miles or so and they moved over and make noise again.

After some research, I assume this is part of the reason the Varishocks use a pivot ball upper mount. Ridetech uses a different style upper mount as well.

I'm not opposed to drilling a new hole for the upper shock mount, but only if it will solve my problem and not cause any strength issues.

Or something like this, where the mount travels through the frame. These would require the shock mount hole be enlarged to 7/8". https://nebula.wsimg.com/badc45aa460e6d335789d94a41160f80?AccessKeyId=36B44 A5E37C340A598F4&disposition=0&alloworigin=1


Any suggestions? Thank you!

178693

[dhutton]

This is the side loading issue that causes QA1 conversion coilovers to leak as far as I know.

Don

[dontlifttoshift]

Pretty much what Don said. Any coil over conversions that use that beehive spring mounted to the frame on top and the shock on the bottom are going to experience this. Even the DSE coilovers like this have this problem.

I have no science but I believe that a bearing in the lower mount actually helps quite a bit. Using the urethane upper mounts and tighten them a lot, more than you think you need.

I quit using that set up. RideTechs conversion with their LCAs works quite well or weld in a SpeedTech or UMI upper mount and use a true coil over if you want a long term fix.

[stab6902]

You might consider using the the hard urethane bushings and barrel lock nuts that Moog uses on their "Problem Solver" end links. I think I have a set laying around that I can check the thread size on if you want; I wouldn't be surprised if you had to re-tap the barrel nut since shocks are usually fine thread. If nothing else, the barrel nuts would protect the threads on your shock studs and greatly reduce the amount they could move around in the frame hole.

[Mr Nick]

Thanks for the advice guys.

I'm actually using those MOOG end links on my sway bar already. I'll pull one apart and see what ideas come to me.

Donny - this guy did the same thing you mentioned, swapped the T-bar bushing for a bearing. But I've heard those are "race only" and don't last long on the street? https://www.chevelles.com/forums/16-brakes-suspension-steering/1107528-coil-over-shock-mount.html

I thought about placing a washer under the lower mount on one side, to slightly lean the shock over so it's centered in the hole. Same end result as cranking the upper bushing tight to hold it in place, but it wouldn't be trying to lean back over quit as much.

The more I think about this the more I realize this isn't a very good design. :hand: