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Video Tutorial for shortening strut housings and installing Ground Control kit

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    Video Tutorial for shortening strut housings and installing Ground Control kit

    I'm currently filming a "video build" for my e30, which consists of filming every step of every process that I perform on my 318is.

    I figured it'd be helpful to others if I made a separate video on the strut housing shortening process as well as installing the Ground Control coilover kit for the front.

    This is basically a general outline specific to my setup, but it should be helpful to some extent no matter what coilover kit you are running.

    My setup is as follows:
    - Ground Control kit - spring rates: 440f/650r
    - Bilstein HD front strut inserts for a 325ix model e30
    - 82-02 Camaro KYB Gas-A-Just rear shock (not mentioned in video)

    Watch in 1080p and full screen for best quality. CLICK HERE TO VIEW VIDEO>> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Q7xU...ature=youtu.be



    EDIT: Also, here is pretty helpful picture which someone sent to me in a private message to help them figure out where to make the cuts in the strut housing for the shortening process. In his case, he wanted to shorten the housings by 1.5".

    In case you can't read the text well or are still confused, do the steps in this order:
    1) Yellow line - represents where the original spring perch is cut off. Just above the weld
    2) Red line - the first cut made to separate the housing. Just under the weld of the original spring perch
    3) White line - the second cut made to determine how much you are sectioning out of the housing. This is up to you, just don't cut more than 2".



    MORE IMPORTANT INFORMATION!
    TO ANYONE WHO PLANS ON USING 325IX BILSTEIN HD's FOR THE FRONT:
    You should cut the inner bump stop in half before assembling everything. When viewing the shock insert, there is a metal "cap" on the very bottom. This can be separated from the yellow shock housing which reveals the internal bump stop. Use an exacto knife to carefully cut this rubber bump stop in half (so it is half it's original length). This will help prevent you from bottoming out. Mark from Ground Control made a video showing his way of popping them apart. Simply hold the strut tube, flip it upside down so the cap is facing up and the threaded shock shaft is facing the ground and give it a firm tap on carpeted ground to push the cap out. Here is the video to help visualize what needs to be done:



    In my case, I didn't really feel comfortable hitting my new shock against the ground so I separated the metal cap from the shock housing with a small flathead screwdriver (or you can use a chisel or something similar) and that worked fine. Just took a little bit of effort and off it came. Once the bump stop is cut in half, just pound the cap back onto the strut body and you're good to go!
    Last edited by CubbyChowder; 01-19-2013, 01:32 AM.


    --Roundie Revival 2.0 - 1973 BMW 2002 Build Thread--
    --Golden Boy E30 Build Thread-- (sold)

    #2
    very nice video,
    nice music
    nice editing


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      #3
      It is always good to have a visual aid, especially if you have never done the procedure!

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      1989 325i - Project/weekend driver
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        #4
        Hats off to you sir, well made video that will be a huge resource to a many people (myself included :) )
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          #5
          nice video man.
          love your work.

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            #6
            That was fantastic. Quality was superb, and even the music was a good choice. Should be stickied in the suspension section.

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              #7
              Make more videos. That is all.

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                #8
                Thanks everyone, the song is actually one I made back when I was really into music production, so it's nice to get feedback on that too.


                --Roundie Revival 2.0 - 1973 BMW 2002 Build Thread--
                --Golden Boy E30 Build Thread-- (sold)

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                  #9
                  sir, you are amazing. This should certainly help for reinstalling my coilovers. I had a shop do my install last time due to time restraints, so I have to re do it myself the 2nd time. This will be a huge help!!

                  If you took video of the rear install as well I'd love to get a glimpse :D visual aids are a huge help when doing something for the first time
                  Last edited by smerfs; 12-29-2012, 10:06 PM.
                  320I - under construction

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                    #10
                    Originally posted by smerfs View Post
                    sir, you are amazing. This should certainly help for reinstalling my coilovers. I had a shop do my install last time due to time restraints, so I have to re do it myself the 2nd time. This will be a huge help!!

                    If you took video of the rear install as well I'd love to get a glimpse :D visual aids are a huge help when doing something for the first time
                    Glad I could help! Unfortunately I didn't really film too much of the rear install as it's pretty straight forward. Just a matter of swapping out the shocks and springs.

                    If you're looking into using a Camaro rear shock, all that needs to be done is to buy a 3/8" metal sleeve (like this: http://www.homedepot.com/Plumbing/h_...1#.UN_UDonjk44) and cut it to the same width as the bottom bushing on the Camaro shock. It will pop right in with some grease and the original bottom strut bolt will fit very snugly. The top is a direct swap, no modification is needed.


                    --Roundie Revival 2.0 - 1973 BMW 2002 Build Thread--
                    --Golden Boy E30 Build Thread-- (sold)

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                      #11
                      Well done. I will be referring to this in the future.
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                        #12
                        Very nice!

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                          #13
                          Excellent work! I like the music.
                          1986 911 Supercharged Frakenstrat/Stripped
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                            #14
                            i cant wait to do this!! excellent job!


                            Luis
                            Instagram: Bear_e30

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                              #15
                              how do you like the camaro shcoks?? too stiff? or perfect?

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