MM LCAs: A year and a half later...

[propellerhead]

So I'm changing out the rear spring isolators and I find this...

It looks like the high and mighty Maximum Motorsports brand rusts too. The factory isolator (rubber cup) fits over that center piece and traps moisture in. The replacement polyurethane ones from StangSuspension are open in the middle.

http://www.stangsuspension.com/store/comersus_viewitem.asp?idproduct=234

View attachment 340223

 

[Superhereaux]

surface rust on a non-essential part of the arm, no biggie

more importantly, how do the bushings look?

 

[propellerhead]

Surface rust now. I'm glad I found it and not several years later. If the spring perch crumbles, I'll be SOL.

The new spring isolators look cool though. I installed them hoping to get some of the rake back. After installing an Eibach Prokit, the front and rear appear level. I want a little bit of nose down attitude.

Factory one that traps moisture (mine had a small tear)

New one that will allow it to air dry

Top and bottom look cool with the black Eibach Prokit spring

 

[Superhereaux]

The new spring isolators look cool though. I installed them hoping to get some of the rake back. After installing an Eibach Prokit, the front and rear appear level. I want a little bit of nose down attitude.

so did you get some of the rake back? after i installed my H&R Sports i was a little dissapointed at the level front and rear drop. i removed the lower isolators on the front springs yesterday and it didn't seem to drop at all so it still sits level

 

[gsjohnson]

I don't see what you found as any biggy either and from So Cal where we don't see any rust. My Eibach Spotlines gave as nice rake in the stance. You can see how my car sits with the Sportlines under car names where I posted a pic on the second page.

 

[tire]

while it's not a big deal, for only 1 1/2 years it kinda is. over a decade that could really prove to be a problem. i appreciate such feedback. hopefully those isolators will work better for you.

austin

 

[EPIK]

What state do u live in propellerhead? Ive had mine for 2 years or so & havent developed any rust @ all. I live in California though.....

 

[propellerhead]

so did you get some of the rake back? after i installed my H&R Sports i was a little dissapointed at the level front and rear drop. i removed the lower isolators on the front springs yesterday and it didn't seem to drop at all so it still sits level

It seems the rear came back up maybe 1/4 inch. I can't really tell much but it's only been a few hours. However, the polyurethane ones aren't supposed to settle. I'll know in a month or so after looking at it several times in different angles and lighting.

What state do u live in propellerhead? Ive had mine for 2 years or so & havent developed any rust @ all. I live in California though.....

I'm in north Texas and that's why the rust bothered me. Rust normally doesn't happen here. A small tear in the bushing allowed water to puddle in the spring perch of the MM LCA. The bushing also prevented it from drying out.

If I were going to do this all over again, I'd recommend new spring isolators when installing MM LCAs. Remember the stock LCA has a big hole so there's no place for water to collect.

 

[LaserSVT]

So aside from that problem how do you like the MM LCAs? I was thinking of going with them and since you have had them a year you would have a good idea how they perform compared to stock.

 

[jprovence]

Just depends on where you live. That is just minor surfact rust. It would stay at that point for many years to come. Look at all the rest of the metal underneith your car. I agree, the new isolators are a good idea. But its defintally not something I would loose sleep over. You trap moisture with good oxygen content, and thats what happends.

 

[propellerhead]

So aside from that problem how do you like the MM LCAs? I was thinking of going with them and since you have had them a year you would have a good idea how they perform compared to stock.

The car doesn't fishtail as much when stomping on the gas pedal. The ride is a little harsher though but not bad.

 

[2002GreyGT]

So you say that your old one had a tear in it, could that be the cause of the rust?

Do you think without the tear no water would have gotten in and then no rust....

~K

 

[darkside03gt]

if thats really a problem area then you could just coat it amil guard regardless of what bushings u have

 

[SVT32VDOHC]

Those look like the factory isolators on stock Mustangs. That are capped too. My HPM Mega Bite Jr's look brand new. They are zinc (gold color) and have been on the car since 2002..(no winters though)

 

[propellerhead]

So you say that your old one had a tear in it, could that be the cause of the rust?

Do you think without the tear no water would have gotten in and then no rust....

~K

Yea, torn factory bushing + the cup of the MM LCA + water + time = rust.

The other side didn't have a tear although there was water puddled in the cup. It appears water still finds its way in. Maybe the paint was better on that side that it didn't rust.

 

[blackfang]

I installed new springs almost 2 years after I installed my MM LCA's and they were fine.

 

[Bugman.dave]

You guys don't know what rust is until you live in Ontario Canada. Just put a bit of synthetic grease on that area and forget it. Another thing you can use is Krown.