BDS lift kit

[Jozuah]

isn't this an over the coil extension plate for a strut ?

http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q67/Jozuah/ck_168H.jpg

this is exactly what i want to do to my TB.

im ignorant when it comes to this stuff but im learning. where does the strut get ts pre-load from with a strut spacer?

the rear coil spacer would give pre-load for sure.

this kit looks like it would take no more than an hour TOPS front..

and no more that 1 hour rear.
anyone that has used this kit? please chime it as ill be ordering the rear spacers today and fabricating a strut spacer as soon as i get the drawings done to send it to the CNC.

[the roadie]

1) They will sell you JUST the rear spacers? Why don't you fabricate those as well?

2) No, it is not an over the coil extension plate for a strut. The BDS front spacer design includes as much as they professionally judge to be prudent of strut extension. The rest of the spacer acts as coil preload. Compared to SuspensionMAXX, which applies ONLY preload. So you get some of each with BDS. Mostly preload, though. It's all in the way it mounts to the threaded top of the shock. If you knew a bit more about lift design, or had done a few dozen of hours of research, you could understand some of the install pictures I've posted.

2a) The BDS installation instructions are posted as a PDF on their web site, and have a great deal of detail on the install. Read and totally understand this before you order anything, I recommend.

2b) Preload comes when the spring is constrained in the strut in a shorter length than it was originally.

This is what the SuspensionMAXX spacer looks like installed.

http://www.roadie.org/BDS11.jpg

Here's the BDS installed:

http://www.roadie.org/BDS17.jpg

3) The rear spacer design gives you zero coil preload. It's pure lift. Rear springs are not constrained like on the front struts. Suspension designers perhaps have a different use of the word than you're thinking.

4) I've done or helped on three BDS installs. The fronts take at least two hours with two people working, if you're careful. And with coil springs as strong as ours, you HAVE to be careful. And my first install, solo, took 4 hours as I learned some gotchas, and bought the right tools. The rears take 30 minutes. I think I understand why you might be underestimating the project if you think this is a one hour job for one person. On a scale of 1-10, what would you say your mechanic's skills, experience, and tool inventory might be?

5) As I've said before, I strongly recommend against any more than 1" outside the coil spacer on the front, until and unless you've done the analysis of CV joint bind-up and strut mount yoke interference and brake line stress at full extension with the sway bar disconnected. This alone could take you 2-3 hours to do right.

6) I have no point 6).

[PROSPHOTO]

Alldata shows 1.5 hours for a trained Tech to replace the front shocks (both), using the appropriate (safe), bench mounted, strut spring compressor and a lift...

So, as the roadie stated, expect 3-4 hours (if not longer) to perform the install for the first time, on the ground, with generic, bolt style, spring compressors which require extra care (also mentioned) :yes:

I've replaced these shocks before with the appropriate equipment, and it wasn't too difficult. BUT, since I no longer have access to a lift and the correct strut compressor, I'm expecting it to take me 2-2.5 hours when I get the BDS kit :ugh:

Roadie, :thx again for the great pics and decription :D

[Jozuah]

1) They will sell you JUST the rear spacers? Why don't you fabricate those as well?

no, i "was" going to order the suspension maxx ones for the rear and fab the strut plates myself.


Here's the BDS installed:

http://www.roadie.org/BDS17.jpg

ahh there, no i see, i was thinking about adding a spacer that would "look" like that one but not having to release spring tension in the front.


On a scale of 1-10, what would you say your mechanic's skills, experience, and tool inventory might be?
i would have to say 1-10 i would be a 3 for what we are talking about here.
i have a basic tool set i bought from a pawn shop about 3 weeks ago for 300.00 and came with a craftsman roll away black box pro series ball bearing slides, the box is the best part of my tool inventory, i DO however have a wall mounted spring compressor, made by snap-on and will never let that go , since that one crap-on tool cost me $460.00 from a fly by night snap-on dealer i had BEG me to buy somthing lol .

Experience over all...
well, i have worked at three different dealerships as a heavy line/lead all in Hollywood Florida area. i completed Y.A.T.C. at age 18 and went to Sheridan vocational technical center on a GM scholarship program. graduated with honors and a 100% completion and attendance record. In '95 received my ASE Gold master tech cert. in '97 with the Sunfire certification ( no longer do the sunfire cert.) and decided that was not the life for me. called the flat bed to get my 30K dollar (yes i know thats a drop in the bucket for most lifer techs)
matco toolbox (with shower attachment that i made) and tools and moved to Iowa and went to school for tool and die at Milford college and when i completed that took my precision production class. total welding school was 3 years.
http://www.sharebigfile.com/file/126661/J-borges-resume-wps.html


5) As I've said before, I strongly recommend against any more than 1" outside the coil spacer on the front, until and unless you've done the analysis of CV joint bind-up and strut mount yoke interference and brake line stress at full extension with the sway bar disconnected. This alone could take you 2-3 hours to do right.
now that i know the springs have to come off i would say far more than an hour i will just purchase this kit and be happy with that.

[the roadie]

.. i DO however have a wall mounted spring compressor, made by snap-on and will never let that go , since that one crap-on tool cost me $460.00 from a fly by night snap-on dealer i had BEG me to buy somthing lol .Wish I had that ONE tool. Alas. :mad:
well, i have worked at three different dealerships as a heavy line/lead all in Hollywood Florida area. i completed Y.A.T.C. at age 18 and went to Sheridan vocational technical center on a GM scholarship program. graduated with honors and a 100% completion and attendance record. In '95 received my ASE Gold master tech cert. in '97 with the Sunfire certification ( no longer do the sunfire cert.) and decided that was not the life for me. called the flat bed to get my 30K dollar (yes i know thats a drop in the bucket for most lifer techs)
matco toolbox (with shower attachment that i made) and tools and moved to Iowa and went to school for tool and die at Milford college and when i completed that took my precision production class. total welding school was 3 years.
http://www.sharebigfile.com/file/126661/J-borges-resume-wps.html
:hail: :hail: :hail: I'm an engineer, but electronic, not mechanical. Why aren't YOU making my custom bumper? :sleepy:

[Jozuah]

Wish I had that ONE tool. Alas. :mad:
:hail: :hail: :hail: I'm an engineer, but electronic, not mechanical. Why aren't YOU making my custom bumper? :sleepy:

I have offered my fabrication and drafting experience in the past on these forums, anything i can EVER do to help you, even if thats drafting you something up and checking it structurally with inventor then you fab it, im willing and somewhat able lol.

i have never taken a cad class but thats my next goal is to get a associates degree in computer aided drafting and design , with the accelerated courses offered here i could do it in a year with LOTS of extra time.

i wish now as i am older and have a family of 4 to take care of, that i would have gone to Florida university for engineering. but alas..
any time you/ ANYONE needs anything from me dont hesitate to send me some tells or info.
josh

PS my rear projection TV's convergence is shot and im going to tear into that this weekend to find whats burned out and replace it LOL wish me luck i hear the CRT tubes carry high voltage :P

[the roadie]

PS my rear projection TV's convergence is shot and im going to tear into that this weekend to find whats burned out and replace it LOL wish me luck i hear the CRT tubes carry high voltage :PYes, they can kill ya. I'm astonished it doesn't have electronic convergence. My 15 year old Pioneer 55" CRT projector has electronic convergence. You just can't adjust it without the remote, since the front panel controls won't get at all the adjustments, IIRC. It might be magnetic build-up on the frame, in which case you need an old-fashioned manual degaussing coil. Check ebay. If it's anything electronic, 99% chance even I couldn't diagnose and change it out. They're so integrated nowadays. How old is it, and what model? Let's take this offline to an off-topc thread.:offtopic: :hijacked

[Jozuah]

Yes, they can kill ya. I'm astonished it doesn't have electronic convergence. My 15 year old Pioneer 55" CRT projector has electronic convergence. You just can't adjust it without the remote, since the front panel controls won't get at all the adjustments, IIRC. It might be magnetic build-up on the frame, in which case you need an old-fashioned manual degaussing coil. Check ebay. If it's anything electronic, 99% chance even I couldn't diagnose and change it out. They're so integrated nowadays. How old is it, and what model? Let's take this offline to an off-topc thread.:offtopic: :hijacked

duncan1926@yahoo.com