GC Touring Plates ...slight issue

[Apps]

I'm not posting this to flame GC's product more so to get advice before I can call them on Monday. Let me plug GC for a second and say that they have supported me with many issues I have caused on my own and sent me free replacements in a few cases...

I have the new touring plates for the e30 and have interference issues between the spring mount for factory size springs and the adjuster.

When the mounts are off the strut they spin with a little friction as the adjuster on the bottom lightly touches the spring perch. When loaded up on the strut they don't turn at all. So not only can I not adjust the plate but I can't even rotate it to install enable installation on the car. And of course without this rotation steering the car will not happen.

Here are some pictures let me know if I'm an idiot. Jay if you get a look at this feel free to set me straight on what I did wrong...

[bmwmech1]

Seems to me there should be a spacer/washer in there somewhere. Just taking a guess as I haven't seen these in the flesh yet, but if it doesn't rotate and should, there should be something else in there to space it apart a little more. Double check your assembly and then give them a call. At least you'll know all of the pieces you have in the stack before you call... my 2 cents...

Garey

[jlevie]

My guess is that you are missing the washer that goes strut mount and the upper spring plate.

[Apps]

Thanks guys. I do have all the pieces that came with them and the washer would have to be a couple inches ID to space the perch away (no-such washer in the kit).

GC has a special thrust ball bearing inside the perch that seats on the bottom side of the bushing housing at ~2.5" ID (guess-timation)...so no washer in that assembly...and it's the only usable area to space off the perch.

....

[Apps]

GC is covering the whole deal...apparently the reinforcement plate bolts were welded to the plate a little further from flush than usual.

[MR 325]

Glad to hear they're taking care of you. I'm going to order these plates today I think.

[Hellabad]

GC is covering the whole deal...apparently the reinforcement plate bolts were welded to the plate a little further from flush than usual.

My name is Jay. I'll explain how this could have been overlooked (and you can also see how this will never happen again)

The GC plates with the stock diameter springs are fairly new. We have been building the race plates for various classes for many many years, but this is new.

If you look at the pic below, you can see a raw GC bracket for a camber/caster plate. Look at the bolts. Those are grade 12.9 forged head, rolled thread extremely high quality bolts.

Now look at the end of the threads. They are inconsistent, which is the nature of this type of fastener. The threads are not intended to reach up and cut into the radius below the head, to retain strength.

Some camber plate manufacturers just weld the bolt into hole. GC found this to be very weak, so we thread them in, and THEN weld them.

This means: They screw in different depths before they stop.

Well, long story short, Sometimes the bolts have hit on the street perch. We now sort the street brackets separately, and you can can be reassured that "Apps" discovered a problem, GC found the cause, and implemented the changes to prevent this from happening to anyone else.

And that's the truth.

[Philo]

Great job Jay. It's great for you to come in and clear things up. This is the way to get good rep for your company, not play the defense/attack game in threads about/with other products. :up:

I look forward to a continuance in this type of forum personality. You've always been very helpful, and sponsored a good product.

[MR 325]

Looking forward to getting mine. :) First GC product for me in my 8 years of E30.

[kingston]

I will absolutely be going with GC camber plates for the Track Car build...especially after seeing your response here. Thanks!

[ROLLingKING]

yupp im looking at their coilover conversion kit in about a month!

still need to find some camber plates tho

[dude8383]

Now thats customer service. Good job guys.

I will be in touch with you guys next summer most likely.

[Nsquared97]

Very impressive customer support. Seeing this will factor into my decision when it comes time for camber plates, or anything else GC offers.

[MikeDE]

Where can one buy these snazzy GC plates???

[DRTSRFR]

http://www.ground-control-store.com/products/description.php/II=859