FreeMotion Suspension - Ordering TODAY, ORDER NOW, SAVE $50 Options

[McMark]

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Mike Mueller originally retailed a roller bearing replacement for the front and rear suspension. He gave the designs to me and I've finally priced all of the components out and am ready to start taking orders.

In case you're not familiar with what I'm talking about, you can look here.

I will need 10 people to pre-order in order to get the run going. The normal price will be $500 per car. But for anyone who gets in this first run, I'll be selling them at $450 a set.
Pre-Orders:
1. Andy
2. Steve
3. Clay
4. Eddie
5. Bruce
6. Ted
7. John
8. Bill
9. carlilq
10. Eric Shea
11. Mel
12. Rob

If there is enough interest in the fronts, I will make the rears available.

These bearings work with all 914 suspension, all 5 lug conversions, and all 69-89 911 suspension.

I'm sure a few people will post their experiences with the bearings, but when I installed a set, I KNEW the difference as soon as I drove the car out of the shop. Stock suspension DOES NOT COMPARE. These are a great improvement for daily drivers and race cars alike.

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[TravisNeff]

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/smilie_pokal.gif) Giddyup!

[TedK]

Mark, forgive the ignorance, but is this something you just ship to us and we install as a DIY, or do you require the suspension pieces shipped to you? If its DIY, I'm in for a set.

Ted K

[rick 918-S]

Ted, DIY, I have a set I haven't installed yet. They are really cool! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/aktion035.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/driving.gif)

[SirAndy]

+1 ...

one set for the front please! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)


(IMG:style_emoticons/default/smilie_pokal.gif) Andy

[Heeltoe914]

I was going to try the PolyBronze Bushings now this. Can you please compare the two so I can decide? Avantages one way or the other?? Thanks Mark or anyone that can compare the two.

[McMark]

I have no first hand experience with PolyBronze. But looking at the factors, the PolyBronze has a 360* contact patch. So while they are smooth, there is still going to be more friction than the roller bearings. Roller bearings basically have zero friction. The PolyBronze people claim that a roller bearing will wear grooves in the race that will cause slop. I don't agree with that. While their logic IS correct, the important missing factor is HOW LONG DOES THAT TAKE? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif) Both PolyBronze and FreeMotion will wear out, but I don't believe either will happen in a short amount of time and I think both would be similar.

Either one is better than stock. I feel that my setup will have better performance than the PolyBronze.

[ericread]

For $450.00, do you get four sets of what your drawing shows, so that it includes the entire front end? Or would I need to order four sets, making the front end bearing replacement at $1,800.00?

[McMark]

That depends... are you willing to spend $1800? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/happy11.gif)

J/K It's sold as a package. $450 does a whole front suspension.

[Grimstead]

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[Porcharu]

Dang! you beat me to it. I was just talking to Mike about making these for him an paying a small royalty and he told me you beat me to the punch. If you don't make the rears I will, and I want a front set.
Steve

[Dave_Darling]

Jeebus. I wish I had an extra $450 laying around. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif)

--DD

[Brando]

Hot diggity! If only I were rolling in cash.

Price on rear sets? And... any chance you can make an actual seal setup for the rears as opposed to the "RTV this O-Ring in place..." method?

[blitZ]

What is installation like with the roller bearing compared to bushings? Is there a rubber boot or something to protect the bearing from the elements?

[r_towle]

Hi,
I did a group buy for the remaining stock of the original designers of these out here in the East.
I LOVE this setup.
Two things I would suggest.
To Mark,
Include the correct tube of Loktite in the package. Its not so easy to source locally and halts the installation.

To the end customer.
Use marine based wheel bearing grease (for trailers) and forget about using any seals. the marine based grease is waterproof, sticks like snot, and does not wash out.

The system does require periodic maintenance, but with two years on mine, I have not re-greased them yet.

When you put them in, there are a few simple tricks that logic will make apparent.
Do not force the bearing onto the shaft....grease it up and slide it on slowly...make sure it spins freely...if not, take it off, line up the needle bearings and do it again.

Remove the ball joint, dont do this with the ball joint attached to the strut (on the car) it creates a problem. Seen it, fixed it...stupid approach.

When you install these, the a-arm should and will swing freely when mounted to the car. No other system will move like this.
Keep tuning the front cover till there is zero friction and the arm swings perfectly, then put the ball joint back in.
Like I said, I have fixed this on more than one car, and this was done by guys with lifts.

I remove the a-arm all together, get it nice and clean with power tools, and setup the whole system off the car (you need to let the locktite dry overnight...really)

Overall and awesome system.

The one thing I also noticed is that the hardened washers...
Some cars need more than others, it would be a good option to be able to order more of those...not the thrust washer, but the flat hardened washers that capture the thrust washer.

Great setup, once per the life of the car.

Rich

[ClayPerrine]

I am in... and I want a rear set when you make those. I wanted a set of these for a long time.


DAMN.... it just means that I am going to have to pull the rear arms another time to replace the bushings. I am starting on them tonight to replace the rear bearings.

[r_towle]

One more thing if you consider manufacturing the rear bearing kit.

Consider offering the entire thing turn key.
By this I mean a full refurbished rear trailing arm, cleaned, powdercoated, new wheel bearing and front bearings installed.

I found it alot easier and less stressful to take another rear trailing arm set and take my time to do this. Then its a bolt in project on the car.

Its one of those "while you here" kinda things that can get out of hand and take to long. You could sell them on a swapped basis, just to retain quality control and not become the tech support guy...the rears take more talent to do right...

Rich

[McMark]

Good point Rich, these will ABSOLUTELY be available at a pre-installed price (according to my normal shop rates).

If I get a full order of the fronts, the rears will be no problem and probably won't be limited to the same 10 pre-order restriction.

[scrz914]

Maybe a silly question but...how does one determine that replacement of their stock bushings are necessary? Is there a test that can be done that will show you that the stock bushings are worn? What are the indications?
I've noticed that a lot of members have done a replacement with PolyBronze or PolyGraphite and now the roller bearings, so there must be a need to do this.
Or is it that people are doing whatever they can to improve their cars ride and value. I do get excited when I see cool new products come out for our cars and I was reaching for the $450 when I said to myself ..."self, you don't even know if you need this or not".
Maybe those that have done a replacement could chime in on the benefits.

[McMark]

Most of the time once the bushings wear out they literally fall out. This upgrade is more along the lines of getting the best working suspension possible. It's not so much "Ah, crap, my suspension's dead." It's more "I want it to feel SMOOTH!"