Way too many bolts with Ridetech Kit

[Erik Beckett]

Is it just me or am I missing something here. I am in the process of installing my front Ridetech Strong Arm Kit along with 12.88" Wilwood brakes on the front of my 68 camaro. I seem to have a way too many bolts in the kit, and the instructions are not the clearest to understand.

The Wilwood kit comes with its own bolts, but then Ridetech supplies a bunch of extra bolts for factory disc brakes, Wilwood or Baer. The Ridetech instructions say to use the counter sinking flat head bolts supplied if you are running wilwood brakes. But my Wilwood caliper bracket does not take the countersunk bolts just a standard bolt for the bottom bolt hole.

Not sure why they would supply all these extra bolts, if knowing that Wilwood supplies all there own bolts with the kit and its a direct bolt on.

Just venting,

Erik

[SSLance]

Myself, I'd rather have way too many bolts than not enough when it comes time to put a project together.

What is probably going on is the shocks are packaged to be installed on their own as is the brake kit, each with all of the bolts needed. Since you have both kits, some bolts are duplicated.

[RLJ676]

I found the same thing, a bunch of extra bolts with no description of what they could be for.

Also glad to hear I'm not the only one who found the directions to be "lacking" at best! Not to mention the struggle to get those lower arms in lol.:hairpullout:

[Erik Beckett]

My lower a-arms took me 2 hours to get it, but I was able to do it. I had to spread the front subframe apart to get them to slide in. And then I still had to use a jack to get them up into position.

I really wish the instructions were a little better for sure. I understand how to unbolt and bolt stuff back together, but with all the extra bolts, washers and such, it just gets confusing.


Erik

[paulk68]

instructions are terrible at best and the tech support is very hit or miss. did any one else have the powder coating chip on their lower a-arms during install? I only did my front suspension so far dreading taking on the rear bolt in 4 link.

[Erik Beckett]

No chips for me but I was trying to super careful until I had to bring out the BFH! Still no chips though.

I respect the fact of the them supplying all the extra bolts and such, good thinking on there part, but when you do not describe where any of them go or what they might be used for is confusing. I literally used 2 bolts of the 8 supplied and those where for the steering arm to the spindle. I only have one side done, but I used the supplied wilwood bolts from the wilwood kit for everything else.

I think I might have to use shorter caliper bracket to spindle bolts, they seem long and at full turn look like they will hit the sway bar end link. But I also do not have tie rod connected yet.

[bret]

instructions are terrible at best and the tech support is very hit or miss. did any one else have the powder coating chip on their lower a-arms during install?

I have to say that this is a very unusual comment. Most of the time we get excellent comments about our tech support...it is certainly something that we work quite hard to achieve.

I want to give you some direct contact info for any future issues that may arise.

Rodney Mason - [email protected] - Rodney is our head tech guy and has had a personal hand in developing most of our product line. He is the guy I go to for answers.

Darren Schilling - [email protected] - Darren is our National Sales Manager and a 14 year veteran here. There is little that he can't answer or have the authority to resolve.

Bret Voelkel - [email protected] - I own the place. I can fix it.

ALL of our guys are well versed on our product line, and are experienced hotrodders. But if you cannot get satisfactory answers to a question via the front door [unlikely] I absolutely guarantee that one of the contacts above can fix the problem.

To your specific problem with the powdercoating...it is tough to forsee how a component may be handled during installation, but if you believe that the coating was defective I will certainly send you a new set of arms. I want our product to look good under your car so you will be proud to show them off to future customers! That is why we powdercoat all of our fabricated components while other companies do not [or make it an extra cost option]. Feel free to email me or Darren directly about a return number.

[paulk68]

I have to say that this is a very unusual comment. Most of the time we get excellent comments about our tech support...it is certainly something that we work quite hard to achieve.

I want to give you some direct contact info for any future issues that may arise.

Rodney Mason - [email protected] - Rodney is our head tech guy and has had a personal hand in developing most of our product line. He is the guy I go to for answers.

Darren Schilling - [email protected] - Darren is our National Sales Manager and a 14 year veteran here. There is little that he can't answer or have the authority to resolve.

Bret Voelkel - [email protected] - I own the place. I can fix it.

ALL of our guys are well versed on our product line, and are experienced hotrodders. But if you cannot get satisfactory answers to a question via the front door [unlikely] I absolutely guarantee that one of the contacts above can fix the problem.

To your specific problem with the powdercoating...it is tough to forsee how a component may be handled during installation, but if you believe that the coating was defective I will certainly send you a new set of arms. I want our product to look good under your car so you will be proud to show them off to future customers! That is why we powdercoat all of our fabricated components while other companies do not [or make it an extra cost option]. Feel free to email me or Darren directly about a return number.


Thank you very much Bret, you have always been very quick to help on these forums and it is much appreciated. I will also say that Josh has also been a huge help answerign questions. Some of my phone calls have not gone so good but usually I will just call back or look to these forums for help.

I installed all these parts with the front subframe off the car and took extreme care when doing it the part this is the section that chipped for me very.
easy.
https://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a5df00b3127ccee87f98b935e400000030O01AcuGLRyzctQ e3nwo/cC/f%3D0/ls%3D00509039418920150121183934997.JPG/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D720/ry%3D480/

https://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a5df00b3127ccee87eaa09943100000030O11AcuGLRyzctQ e3nwo/cC/f%3D0/ls%3D00509039418920150121183931623.JPG/ps%3D50/r%3D1/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/

over all setup

https://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a5df00b3127ccee87eb654155200000030O01AcuGLRyzctQ e3nwo/cC/f%3D0/ls%3D00509039418920150121184035440.JPG/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D720/ry%3D480/

[Spiffav8]

I have to say that this is a very unusual comment. Most of the time we get excellent comments about our tech support...it is certainly something that we work quite hard to achieve.

I want to give you some direct contact info for any future issues that may arise.

Rodney Mason - [email protected] - Rodney is our head tech guy and has had a personal hand in developing most of our product line. He is the guy I go to for answers.

Darren Schilling - [email protected] - Darren is our National Sales Manager and a 14 year veteran here. There is little that he can't answer or have the authority to resolve.

Bret Voelkel - [email protected] - I own the place. I can fix it.

ALL of our guys are well versed on our product line, and are experienced hotrodders. But if you cannot get satisfactory answers to a question via the front door [unlikely] I absolutely guarantee that one of the contacts above can fix the problem.

To your specific problem with the powdercoating...it is tough to forsee how a component may be handled during installation, but if you believe that the coating was defective I will certainly send you a new set of arms. I want our product to look good under your car so you will be proud to show them off to future customers! That is why we powdercoat all of our fabricated components while other companies do not [or make it an extra cost option]. Feel free to email me or Darren directly about a return number.

I like your style. Thanks Bret.

[RLJ676]

The one call I had to make to the tech line was resolved quick and easy, just sucked having to wait till Monday as my Dad was in town working on the car for the weekend and wanted to see it completed haha.

Bret one suggestion I'd make is for the lower arms packing 2 different bushings, a "narrow" and a "wide" inner version. This would allow people who's tabs have come together significantly the option to run the narrower inner bushing to cut out hours of struggle in installing.

[conester2013]

I also have the Ridetech level 2 installed in my 69 Camaro. I will agree that the lower control arms are tough to install! I ended up using a little oil on the frame to help slide them in....finally got them in after I almost lifted the car off the jack stands with me under it!! A little scary there! Ridetech really can't do much about the difference in the frames so I don't fault them on that.

I will agree though that their directions could be WAY better! If I wasn't as handy as I am, I might have had a lot of issues installing this suspension. I think they can do a LOT better job with the instructions to make it a little easier for the average joe.

Another issue I had, that I'm not sure others had, was when I went to install the front coil overs on the lower strong arm, the aluminum spacers they give you that go on each side of the coil over were too big to fit in between the strong arm center bars and I had to sand one spacer down until I could get it to fit. I took the other side to a machine shop and had them shave a couple thou off so they went in easier. Not sure why that was an issue, but I was a little disappointed I had to even do that.

As far as my powder coating, it has held up very well.....except for the time I got my tires balanced and the dumb @ss at the tire place put the jack UNDER the strong arm instead of the center of the sub frame.....that chipped my powder coating on both sides!! I was pissed!!

All that being said, I am VERY happy with the Ridetech suspension! This is my second year with it on my car and I hunt for curves all the time so I can enjoy how tight the car is and how well it rides!

I put mirrors in front and back of my car at every show so I can show off the suspension! Bret, any chance I can get some Ridetech stickers/decals that I could put on my lower strong arm to show that they are Ridetech's? They come on the uppers, but you can't see that. I'd love to spread the word for you guys at the shows!!

Brian

[Erik Beckett]

Brian, did you have any clearance issues between the outer tie rid and your rim or tire? I just got mine installed and having contact between the too. Josh is suppose to call me back but I have not heard from him yet. My kit did not i clude a spanner wrench either. So its just sitting there u til I can adjust the springs.

Thanks, Erik

[paulk68]

Another issue I had, that I'm not sure others had, was when I went to install the front coil overs on the lower strong arm, the aluminum spacers they give you that go on each side of the coil over were too big to fit in between the strong arm center bars and I had to sand one spacer down until I could get it to fit. I took the other side to a machine shop and had them shave a couple thou off so they went in easier. Not sure why that was an issue, but I was a little disappointed I had to even do that.

I had to sand some of my spacers as well to get them to fit.

[cpd004]

Some of my phone calls have not gone so good but usually I will just call back or look to these forums for help.


I'll agree here. I've even posted on their own forums and am still waiting to hear their suggestion on a resolution.

I too have had to sand the bushings, but consider that minor.

I thought the instructions we're ok though, other than the picture showing alignment of the Musclebar end link. The picture is very dark and seems to have been copied many times. For me, everything went smoothly and installed as I thought it should, but there are a few things I'm waiting on to resolve ride height and ride quality.

IMO, their products are extremely high quality.

http://www.ridetech.com/forum/showthread.php?t=6033

[rodney@ridetech]

I also have the Ridetech level 2 installed in my 69 Camaro. I will agree that the lower control arms are tough to install! I ended up using a little oil on the frame to help slide them in....finally got them in after I almost lifted the car off the jack stands with me under it!! A little scary there! Ridetech really can't do much about the difference in the frames so I don't fault them on that.
Was it tighter on the inside or outside? Was it the same on both sides? With the way the 1st Gen arm goes up into the frame, there is not a lot of wiggle room. We shoot for the center of the opening to minimize fitment issues, but the tolerances back then make it tough.

I will agree though that their directions could be WAY better! If I wasn't as handy as I am, I might have had a lot of issues installing this suspension. I think they can do a LOT better job with the instructions to make it a little easier for the average joe.
We are constantly trying to make them better. What additional information would you like to see in them? Sometimes it is hard for us to relay the information to the customer due to the fact that we know how it gets installed. I now take care of our instructions and would love to hear some input from our customers to make them better. You will not offend me, I want to make them better.

Another issue I had, that I'm not sure others had, was when I went to install the front coil overs on the lower strong arm, the aluminum spacers they give you that go on each side of the coil over were too big to fit in between the strong arm center bars and I had to sand one spacer down until I could get it to fit. I took the other side to a machine shop and had them shave a couple thou off so they went in easier. Not sure why that was an issue, but I was a little disappointed I had to even do that.
I noticed your arms are a couple of years old, we were running them right at the spacer width then. We changed that to 1/16" wider to help prevent having to modify the spacers, but yours would have been before the change


All that being said, I am VERY happy with the Ridetech suspension! This is my second year with it on my car and I hunt for curves all the time so I can enjoy how tight the car is and how well it rides!
It does make them a joy to drive. We just bought another 2nd Gen, WOW it is scary with the stock suspension.

I put mirrors in front and back of my car at every show so I can show off the suspension! Bret, any chance I can get some Ridetech stickers/decals that I could put on my lower strong arm to show that they are Ridetech's? They come on the uppers, but you can't see that. I'd love to spread the word for you guys at the shows!!

Brian

PM me your name and address and I will get some heading your way.

[rodney@ridetech]

I'll agree here. I've even posted on their own forums and am still waiting to hear their suggestion on a resolution.

I too have had to sand the bushings, but consider that minor.

I thought the instructions we're ok though, other than the picture showing alignment of the Musclebar end link. The picture is very dark and seems to have been copied many times. For me, everything went smoothly and installed as I thought it should, but there are a few things I'm waiting on to resolve ride height and ride quality.

IMO, their products are extremely high quality.

http://www.ridetech.com/forum/showthread.php?t=6033

Check your post in our forum, I have some questions for you on there.

[rodney@ridetech]

The one call I had to make to the tech line was resolved quick and easy, just sucked having to wait till Monday as my Dad was in town working on the car for the weekend and wanted to see it completed haha.

Bret one suggestion I'd make is for the lower arms packing 2 different bushings, a "narrow" and a "wide" inner version. This would allow people who's tabs have come together significantly the option to run the narrower inner bushing to cut out hours of struggle in installing.

My email is [email protected] if you have problems on the weekend. Give me a little time to reply due to the fact that I might be in a poor service area or doing something that I can't reply right away, but I will get back with you.

[conester2013]

Was it tighter on the inside or outside? Was it the same on both sides? With the way the 1st Gen arm goes up into the frame, there is not a lot of wiggle room. We shoot for the center of the opening to minimize fitment issues, but the tolerances back then make it tough.

I think it was the same on the inside and outside. I tried prying the frame apart a little but I couldn't get it past the point where it just sprung back to where it was, so I just used brute force and my massive strength (haha) to get them in. Eventually got them, but like I said and you said, these old car frames were all over the place back then with tolerances so you can't possibly make something that fits easily in every car.

We are constantly trying to make them better. What additional information would you like to see in them? Sometimes it is hard for us to relay the information to the customer due to the fact that we know how it gets installed. I now take care of our instructions and would love to hear some input from our customers to make them better. You will not offend me, I want to make them better.

I'll take a look at the instructions again and make some notes so you have something from my point of view.


I noticed your arms are a couple of years old, we were running them right at the spacer width then. We changed that to 1/16" wider to help prevent having to modify the spacers, but yours would have been before the change

That's good to hear! Glad you guys are improving all the time....that deffinately would have made it easier! It was just a little frustrating when they wouldn't fit and both parts came from the same vendor. Glad this has been resolved! Nicely done!


It does make them a joy to drive. We just bought another 2nd Gen, WOW it is scary with the stock suspension.



PM me your name and address and I will get some heading your way.

On the way!

Thanks!

Brian

[GregWeld]

I've never seen better customer service, or caring for the overall quality and experience, than what I've seen on here from RideTech.

I think anyone thats going to write instructions - should invite a few total non-car people to install whatever it is they're trying to write about - and see where they don't understand - or need a better photo... The writer - having a complete understanding of what it is they're doing - doesn't "get" the confusion or the self doubt. You need a different set of eyeballs to help with this.

As a hot rodder --- I take the attitude that I WILL need to modify a part to make it fit correctly. There just are too many tolerances and variables to make every part fit every other part like a Swiss watch. That's an impossible goal.

[rallystyle]

gregweld i would say that is good input but i would also say that to put a install video on youtube or something would be a good idea. i would also let potential buyers know what they would be getting in to.