Need Help with Ground Control Conversion Kit Install

[SlamMan]

LOL I just buttoned everything up this morning. I started the car and no extra lights were on the dash! I'll probably go back in a few days and double check all the torque on the bolts. I ended up purchasing a special socket to torque down the shock rod top nut too. I'll recheck it when it shows up.

I was supposed to drop my car off this morning for an alignment but I wasn't finished and now I don't have a ride. Probably be tomorrow or Wednesday before I can drop it off.

It took a lot longer than I thought but, knowing what I know now, I could probably do it in 4-6 hours I'd guess. The impact wrench was nice to have but I think you could do it easily with just the shock nut socket and spring compressors.

[signes]

Really looking forward to seeing the DIY. Thanks for being the guinea pig (at least local.)

[dnvrdrvr]

... and now what are your initial impressions? Do you love as much as I do?

[SlamMan]

Love it so far. I need to get to the track again to really test it out. Do you know how high your ride height is set by chance?

[dnvrdrvr]

Good! I'll check the height front and rear when I get home later today...

FWIW, HPR has cars lapping days almost every Friday. I'll be out (although in my new E36 M3) on 7/15.

[SlamMan]

Just a heads up. I completed my DIY guide. If anyone has any questions or feedback please let me know so I can update the guide.

[M3DCTBT]

Anybody have trouble with light popping and squeaking from the front end?

[SlamMan]

Can't say I have. First thing I'd look at would be the sway bar links. When does it make the noise?

[dawgdog]

Originally Posted by M3DCTBT

Anybody have trouble with light popping and squeaking from the front end?

I get noise from the sway bar endlink connection. Goes away if I lube it.

[dnvrdrvr]

Originally Posted by dnvrdrvr

Good! I'll check the height front and rear when I get home later today...

FWIW, HPR has cars lapping days almost every Friday. I'll be out (although in my new E36 M3) on 7/15.

Wow, that took me longer than I had hoped. Apologies. Measurements are from the floor to the fender edge.

• Front: 26 5/8"
• Rear: 26 1/4"

[SlamMan]

No problem. I've got mine set to 26 all around right now.

[SECRET M]

Originally Posted by SlamMan

Just a heads up. I completed my DIY guide. If anyone has any questions or feedback please let me know so I can update the guide.

are you going to be posting the guide somewhere?

thanks!

[dnvrdrvr]

Originally Posted by SECRET M

are you going to be posting the guide somewhere?

thanks!

Here you go, in the DIY section
http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=552785

[GreenMangoes]

thanks for the DIY!

[SlamMan]

Happy to help. The guys at Ground Control have looked at it and were impressed so it's got the unofficial seal of approval.

[JFWM3]

I just want to add two points for the install or for troubleshoooting after install:

1. Ensure that the Sway bar brackets that attach to the damper are tight enough. It should be tightened to ensure that the sway bar link has no excess clearance when fully assembled. If there is clearance, the link will move laterally along the bolt and cause a "clunking or knocking" noise over any bump even as small as an expansion joint. It will sound like something is loose in the front end. This could be mis-diagnosed for a worn link(s) as the sway bar link assembly will seem like it has play coming from the link area when the vehicle is off the hoist and in ground position (provided the sway bar has not been adjusted for preload).

2. Watch the rear headlight self leveling assembly arm orientation on removal and ensure that the orientation is duplicated on install. If it is installed incorrectly your headlights will aim high. There are lots of posts on this elsewhere on the forum.

If the kit is installed correctly, it does not produce any noise and you should not be blinding anyone with your headlights while driving. It seems like there are a number of areas that are suseptable to poor install and consequently poor performance in the vehicle.

If the kit is installed correctly, it peforms well.

[Car54]

Hey guys,

Where is your collar ending up in the front? I took before measurements and tried to get close after and it's putting my collar at the very bottom of the sleeve. Where you guys at?

[SlamMan]

I don't remember my collars being at the very bottom. Are you rubbing at all anywhere? Did you do the install? Unfortunately I'm not running the sleeve over kit any longer. The kit is still sitting in my garage so I'll take a look tonight at where it was when I took it off.

[Car54]

I've raised it up to about 6 threads from the bottom up front.

However, with the perch at the lowest point I had about 3/4" of shock shaft showing before the shortened bump stops. I really don't want a slammed look but the rear wheels easily tuck and the fronts just have more fender clearance.

Here's a current pic of the height...

[Tomz_M3]

How did you like the kit after install? Impressions. I have one but on the fence about putting it on..\