Ok. I ordered the Mugen Lowdown suspension and decided to install them myself since all you guys say its basically a drop in install. I'm still waiting for them to arrive and was reading my Helm's manual to learn how to install these.

When installing the new front dampers, one step is to "Raise the knuckle with a floor jack until the vehicle just lifts off the safety stand"
From the diagrams it looks like the knuckle is connected to the hub. Or is it the lower arm?

What is the best way of raising the knuckle? Just jack up the lower arm? And do the same when installing the rear dampers? Sorry, I'm clueless.

 

Here is how easy it is to install the Mugen Lowdown suspension (it took me about 30 minutes...tops).

For the front:

Take off the 17mm bolt/nut from the fork/control arm
Take off the 14mm bolt from the fork/shock
Take off the (2) 12 nuts from the top of the shock tower.
Take the shock assembly and remove it (it will come out real easy)

Install the Mugen Lowdown fronts and you are done with the front.


For the back:

Take off the 14mm bolt from the control arm/shock
Take off the 14mm bolt from the upper 'control arm'/trailing arm
Take out the shock/spring assembly

Install the Mugen Lowdown rear assembly.

That is about it. It really is that easy.

Good luck.

-kenji

 

Sounds easy enough. But I can safely ignore the note in the Helm's manual?
"Note: the damper mounting bolt and the flange bolt should be tightened with the damper under vehicle load"
Helms: 18-40

It doesn't matter if you do or don't load the suspension before tightening all the bolts down?


[Modified by arren123, 4:46 AM 7/1/2001]

 

maybe I am wrong but don't you have a couple of brake lines to deal with also?

 

I am waiting for my Lowdown too. Does it come with install instructions?

 

How low does this suspension drop the car?

 

Make sure you have a 4 lbs hammer/rubber mallet. What, you think I'm kidding? You'll need it to tap in and out the bolts for the front forks, and you may need it to convince a few other spots. Now don't go swinging this thing like you're trying to chop wood. TAP. I think I mainly used them to get the bolts in and out of the front forks. When re-assembling, tap it til it gets to the other side of the lower arm, then look. It'll be slightly misaligned, but the bolt is tapered. Just start screwing it in, and it will catch. You'll know what I'm talking about when you get to it.

For the rears, when you're trying to reassemble, you'll need to compress the shock if possible. You can do it with coilovers, dunno about the Lowdowns. Get someone to gently push down on the rear caliper to give you a little more room to get the shock in and the bolt. I did it myself by leaning on the caliper, but it would be easier w/ 2 people.

Warren

 

Thanks for the tips guys!

Well, looks like I'll have to wait a little longer for my dampers. They have to be shipped from Japan, so I'm hoping they'll get here July 19th or earlier. I can't wait!

Digital-R, where'd you buy yours from? I bought mine from King Motorsports.

 

98TYPER300,

You are right. I forgot to mention the two 12mm bolts for the brake lines. My bad...

The install is easy for me to do but lengthy for me to type everything out.

-kenji

 

Yeah everything comes pre-assembled.. no spring compressors to mess with, no worrying about corner weighting and crap, just a nice clean easy installation.. of course, I wouldn't run this suspension on a hard core track car, but on a street/autox/lapping day car.. it seems like it'd be nice. Nice height too, shouldn't bottom out nearly as much as my suspension.

 

I ordered mine from King Motor Sports too.

 

ordered mine from king they are the sole authorized importer of mugen products one way or another mugen comes from king in US.
I am waiting ever so impatiently for mine as well.
it lowers the car 3/4"
also waiting for the 26mm rear sway, 4-2-1 header,and twin loop exhaust

 

It sounds like you have been waiting for your a long time. They told me no longer than three weeks, which means they will ship by 7/17

 

no it hasn't even been three weeks but I just can't wait to put them on plus I wanted them for a two day autocross at Summit Point on the 14th and 15th

 

Well, I can wait for mine.. It looks like I have to wait until September to try them out. I don't think there are any auto-x's at the end of this month and next month I'm out vacationing..

Digital-R.. That sounds about right. I think they'll ship on 7/16 if it works out the same as my MF-10's I ordered from them in February.



[Modified by arren123, 3:33 AM 7/3/2001]

 

It's in I talked to my mechanic today and we will install it next week just in time for a weekend at Summit Point

 

I hope that means mine is on the way

 

Ahh. I finally got my Mugen Lowdowns today It took me and my friend a pathetic 3 hours to install them. I ran into trouble trying to take of the lug nuts on the front wheels. The damn dealer didn't tighten them down with a torque wrench. One nut on each side was overtorqued. I had to stand on the torque wrench and it twisted my short extension Now I have to go over to sears and get it exchanged.

Overall the install was easy. But two people make it a WHOLE lot easier. I took my time to make sure everything went on as it should. My back is hurting now, but it was well worth it. The car was lowered just right It doesn't look slammed to the ground. Front and rear are set to 5 for now.. Remind me to bring a small screwdriver tomorrow so I can try them on 1 when I drive back home from work. I noticed the difference from stock immediately as I hit the first divet coming out of my driveway. Left to right back and forth transitions are excellent and bodyroll seems to be virtually gone now. I'll have a better feel for them when I go to work tomorrow morning... Right now I just need a tall glass of

So far I give these

 

Congrats!!!

 

Please follow up with your driving impressions. I'm thinking about the lowdown as well.

 

Can you post a pic? I want to know how it looks when it was lowered. Thanks!

 

Batoutahell - Well, I rode to work with all shocks on 5, the stiffest setting. It was incredibly stiff. Like someone else said - enough to knock the fillings outta your teeth. I won't be using that setting during normal driving. I'm going to try out the other extreme when I go home today. I'm going to set front and rear to 1. I'm extremely happy with them so far. Doing a spirited lane change inspired confidence in the car. I'll let you guys know how they really handle when I go to the autocross July 29th.

CPR - I didn't take any "after" pictures yet because it was 10 pm when I finished installing them last night. When I get home from work today I'll take some. I already took some "before" shots yesterday.. Links to follow as soon as I get all the pictures up on Ofoto. What I can tell you is.. After putting the car back on the ground, it was noticible lower and drooling over the new look



[Modified by arren123, 12:25 PM 7/18/2001]

 

did you do the whole thing on floor jacks? that easy?

 

I only had two floor jacks, so I lifted the rear end first and did them. Then turned the car around and did the front. It really is easy if you take your time. Or if you are really skilled like Kenji, you can get them done in 30 minutes. I have no idea why it always takes me 3 times longer to do things on my car. Heck, rotating my tires always takes me a good 30 minutes. I guess what I really need is power tools to make the job faster eh? So what's your secret Kenji?

 

Ok.. Got back with the pictures.
Setting 1 on front and rear felt stiffer than stock, but it was a more comfortable ride this time. A little body lean around tight turns, but not as bad as stock. This setting is very comfy for daily driving.

I don't know if Ofoto lets you link pictures but I'll try...

"Before" Pic

"After" Pic

Sorry if these look similar, but I tried to get the car at the same angle. The camera is a little bit deceiving. The actual drop can be seen in the closeups in the album.

And here's the link to the "before and after" pics http://www.ofoto.com/BrowsePhotos.js...id=88753937103

and an album with more "before" pics. http://www.ofoto.com/PhotoView.jsp?U...id=58753937103




[Modified by arren123, 3:47 PM 7/18/2001]