GT-Spec Rear brace install drop change

L

Logan

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Had my full set of GT-Spec braces installed a month ago. The shop that did the lower engine and the ladder install also did my rear braces as it was up on a frame lift (and it was no charge). When the car was lowered down it didn't look right in the rear, it looked like it had lost some of the drop. I wasn't sure HOW much but it was making me itch. I drove it for a few weeks waiting for it to "settle" but nothing seemed to change. Took it in today for some additional work and asked them to loosen up the rear brace bolts while on the lift then lower it down and re-tighten everything under load. I had them take measurements before and after the brace refit. The AFTER measurement showed a additional drop of 3/8" I had guessed a loss of 1/2" or more but that was based on a visual. After I noticed some of my drop had evaporated I did some checking and read on another forum that some suspension braces should be installed under load. I assume most everybody has installed these braces as DIY install and their rides were not on a lift (like in their garage or drive way) AND they hasn't experienced this issue or it would have come up after the last couple GB's....... Just an FYI.
 
I'm pretty sure someone has mentioned this, and I agreed with what they said. I'm pretty sure mine was installed with all 4 tires on the ground though.
 
That's a good point, Logan. Mine were installed in the air. I should have them retightened under load. Hopefully it will get me a tinybit lower than my current lifted height. :tongue:
 
I believe rookie has mention this before.

I installed mine on the ground w/o knowing :) (since I dont have a lift in my garage lol)

(some have complained about squeaking from the rear also, when installed on a lift)
 
So were talking about the rears only?
Front, & mid ladder are suitable for an install on lift w/ no drop issues?
 
I had heard this about the STB, except the opposite. You want to lift the wheels and then attach the STB, so that when it's loaded, the STB behaves like a spring.

I can confirm the rear braces too - I originally installed on a lift, but during the transmission work, took out the rear braces and installed them on the ground at my house after the car came home. I immediately noticed I was lower and was worried something was wrong. Initially I thought it was because my springs were, "settling" but now I'm convinced it was because of the brace installation on the ground.
 
gto said:
So were talking about the rears only?
Front, & mid ladder are suitable for an install on lift w/ no drop issues?
Click to expand...

From what I understand the front engine and the ladder don't create any suspension pull so they wouldn't be an issue. I had never heard the STB spring comment before Jumbo that's interesting...... For me it was son-of-a-bitch! I not going to give up a 1/2" off my drop! Over the last three weeks I must have walked around it 50 times, stuck my fingers in the rear wheel wells waiting for it to settle after the install.....
 
Can GTspec ring in on this? What's the best way to install their products? off the ground, or on the ground?

i heard a squeek the other day from my rear, and thought it might be the braces, since i never heard it before.
 
I think I know what's happening here... the bolts that are lossened for the bar install are the same bolts that dictate the alignment, & they are in slottted holes... when an alignment is done obviously these points are loaded & pulling outward with the wheels on the lift, the offset washer is what limits the outward movement but the bolts are always loaded towards the outside...

when you lift up the fx & lossen these bolts, the bolts themselves can slide in in the slot, making the washer now still limit the travel, but towards the inside of this slot vs the outside... so if your control arm is kinda loose in it's cradle when the bolts are lossened then it will slide in & give the results your seeing... some of you the control arm may be tight enough or have enough resistance to it sliding in so you don't see the same results... at that poiint either an alignment would still sove the problem as these bolts are of course lossened again while under load or the alternative which is to just load it & lossen & retighten these bolts...

this is the only thing that makes sense, there is no way that the subframe is actually flexing enough by itself to cause these situations...
 
turbocad6 said:
I think I know what's happening here... the bolts that are lossened for the bar install are the same bolts that dictate the alignment, & they are in slottted holes... when an alignment is done obviously these points are loaded & pulling outward with the wheels on the lift, the offset washer is what limits the outward movement but the bolts are always loaded towards the outside...

when you lift up the fx & lossen these bolts, the bolts themselves can slide in in the slot, making the washer now still limit the travel, but towards the inside of this slot vs the outside... so if your control arm is kinda loose in it's cradle when the bolts are lossened then it will slide in & give the results your seeing... some of you the control arm may be tight enough or have enough resistance to it sliding in so you don't see the same results... at that poiint either an alignment would still sove the problem as these bolts are of course lossened again while under load or the alternative which is to just load it & lossen & retighten these bolts...

this is the only thing that makes sense, there is no way that the subframe is actually flexing enough by itself to cause these situations...
Click to expand...

It also explains why the issue is hit or miss between vehicles. I was beginning to wonder if it might be specific years but after checking the thread the mix was too random.
 
Logan, maybe the shop that did the rear didnt mark the bolt with a marker. so then then they installed the bar, they just tighten it back up.


gto, maybe you can get your saggy FX's rear higher by going to Logan's shop
 
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