Trying to get momentum - few initial questions: MKV 30th Anniversary Roadster

[dr-sicel]

Hello all -
So I took delivery last week of my MKV Roadster 30th Anniversary Edition. Went through all the boxes, printed out the manual, checked some (not quite all) of the inventory.
Body is off - and the first item (power steering rack) is installed.

So three questions - I feel I shouldn’t need to ask, but I really do:

1. This edition has the aluminum LCs - the bolts have a smaller diameter than the mounting holes (I’m working on the front at present). I have done suspension work and I’ve never seen this. Is there a spacer somewhere (not referenced in the manual or in box 1 or anywhere else that I can determine)? Or what is the solution?
2. The same LCs have the ball joint preinstalled w/no grease fitting installed. Is it the one shown in the pic w/the spring clip? Don’t want to use it if it’s for something else
3. Finally - the rear mount has a washer to take up space - though it appears it may need *two* washers (rather than the one described in the manual) - see pic for reference. Can someone confirm? Side note, you can seethe washer sagging on the right since the bolt is too small (or more likely, a mysterious spacer is needed).


I feel a bit stalled by such basics - I’ve done things far more complex but things just aren’t fitting up quite yet—- trying to get some momentum.

Thanks in advance.

[edwardb]

1. There should be a metal sleeve inside that poly bushing. The ID of the sleeve will match the bolt. Normally they come preassembled with the sleeve inside. No experience with the new forged arms though. If the sleeves aren't elsewhere, call Factory Five.

2. Should be safe to use that grease fitting. There's only a handful that need to be installed and they're readily available if you don't have enough.

3. Yeah, I'd probably put another washer in there if that's how it ends up. The tabs will bend and possibly close. But I don't like to get crazy with that. But might be different with the metal sleeves from #1. So resolve that first.

[dr-sicel]

1. There should be a metal sleeve inside that poly bushing. The ID of the sleeve will match the bolt. Normally they come preassembled with the sleeve inside. No experience with the new forged arms though. If the sleeves aren't elsewhere, call Factory Five.

2. Should be safe to use that grease fitting. There's only a handful that need to be installed and they're readily available if you don't have enough.

3. Yeah, I'd probably put another washer in there if that's how it ends up. The tabs will bend and possibly close. But I don't like to get crazy with that. But might be different with the metal sleeves from #1. So resolve that first.


Thanks - I was at the open house yesterday and they mentioned that “a few units went out w/o the sleeves” - they went and grabbed them on the spot which was great.
Bought some extra grease fittings and rivets (I only got the black ones in my kit).

Thanks again!

[Reddrig]

Thanks - I was at the open house yesterday and they mentioned that “a few units went out w/o the sleeves” - they went and grabbed them on the spot which was great.
Bought some extra grease fittings and rivets (I only got the black ones in my kit).

Thanks again!

So I’m missing my sleeves also along with one of the sleeves for my PS rack. So the first two steps in my build are missing parts. We all know what a great company FFR is, but I’m a little discouraged with all my back orders and missing parts. It seems these 30th anniversary kits were not quite ready to send out. I know BO and a few parts should be expected, but after you finish the inventory and organization you want to start your build your immediately hit with roadblocks on missing parts on the first two steps.

Does anyone know what time frames they have been waiting for parts? Will they expedite shipping on some of these missing parts if in stock? I know I’ll eventually receive the parts, just a little discouraged.

[edwardb]

So I’m missing my sleeves also along with one of the sleeves for my PS rack. So the first two steps in my build are missing parts. We all know what a great company FFR is, but I’m a little discouraged with all my back orders and missing parts. It seems these 30th anniversary kits were not quite ready to send out. I know BO and a few parts should be expected, but after you finish the inventory and organization you want to start your build your immediately hit with roadblocks on missing parts on the first two steps.

Does anyone know what time frames they have been waiting for parts? Will they expedite shipping on some of these missing parts if in stock? I know I’ll eventually receive the parts, just a little discouraged.

Backordered parts are part of the FFR experience. Probably not talked about a lot during the sales process, but mentioned frequently if you follow here on the forum. I understand your disappointment, but hang in there. It's worth it. (BTW, just finished an airplane build and was a part of that too. Just saying.) The number of parts on the POL varies of course. Sometimes just a few items. During the pandemic and all the supply chain issues, sometimes pages. Factory Five will supply the parts. How long obviously depends but in my experience typically a few months max. They sometimes accumulate items vs. a bunch of individual shipments. Don't be locked into the build sequence in the manual necessarily. There are lots of things you can do to work on other areas of the build, work around missing parts, etc. Unless you're a super fast builder, you should be able to stay busy and make progress. Another hint, make sure you do a complete and thorough inventory (take your time) and report any missing parts ASAP. They treat those as MIK (missing in kit) items and will get the same attention as backordered parts. I can't comment about how or if they're expedited. In theory your parts should have priority over undelivered kits. But don't have any way to confirm. In the past everything was shipped FedEx ground. Not the fastest, but decent and easily traceable. I don't know that the anniversary kits were given any special priority, other than they do have a number of parts that are unique. I'll be finding out myself about this. My 30th Roadster was due for completion yesterday. Don't know how long Stewart will take yet.

[PNWTim]

X2 on what edwarbb said. I think I consistently work on portions of 4 or 5 different things simultaneously for any number of reasons. My POL and MIK list in December of last year was very short and those items came within a couple of weeks. I can say without a doubt the inventory process is actually a two fold learning experience. One, you ensure all your parts are present and accounted for; two, you have an opportunity to touch and inspect every FF part that goes into your build. You may forget all about the part until it comes up and you need it and you can think "oh yeah, I remember seeing that". That's when I go to my printed inventory sheets to remind myself of what box the parts are in.

They are very good about getting missing items out (typically same or next day) so just reach out and let them know what you're missing. I think the hardest thing for me was realizing there was no real systematic approach to locating hardware (at least that I could tell). I eventually laid everything out so I could put eyes on what I would need and did my best to match up what was required with what I had. Some hardware comes with the parts you are working on, some comes in the big hardware pack and some just comes in this or that box.

[Reddrig]

X2 on what edwarbb said. I think I consistently work on portions of 4 or 5 different things simultaneously for any number of reasons. My POL and MIK list in December of last year was very short and those items came within a couple of weeks. I can say without a doubt the inventory process is actually a two fold learning experience. One, you ensure all your parts are present and accounted for; two, you have an opportunity to touch and inspect every FF part that goes into your build. You may forget all about the part until it comes up and you need it and you can think "oh yeah, I remember seeing that". That's when I go to my printed inventory sheets to remind myself of what box the parts are in.

They are very good about getting missing items out (typically same or next day) so just reach out and let them know what you're missing. I think the hardest thing for me was realizing there was no real systematic approach to locating hardware (at least that I could tell). I eventually laid everything out so I could put eyes on what I would need and did my best to match up what was required with what I had. Some hardware comes with the parts you are working on, some comes in the big hardware pack and some just comes in this or that box.

I’ve already noticed parts are not always where you would expect them to be. So it is a learning curve in the beginning. And yes I’ve already started moving to different sections out of sequence. I know it’s fine, but my OCD flares up when I do this.

[dr-sicel]

I’ve already noticed parts are not always where you would expect them to be. So it is a learning curve in the beginning. And yes I’ve already started moving to different sections out of sequence. I know it’s fine, but my OCD flares up when I do this.

I fully agree - despite what the manual says, the boxes are not in order you use them, nor are things where you think — as I adjust, it’s reasonably manageable. I struggle with trying to confirm I have everything when the investory list simply says “bushing”… and I have 10 rubber things none of which have the numbers that are in the inventory list. So despite going through everything, I won’t truly know if I have everything until I need it. It’s an oddity I’m trying to get used to.

As for the sleeves, I find it very difficult to imagine they don’t *always* have those in stock. It’s simply long sections of steel they cut to length. My guess it was simply missed (like my sleeves were). Calling is faster - email took over a week to get a response.

[Reddrig]

I fully agree - despite what the manual says, the boxes are not in order you use them, nor are things where you think — as I adjust, it’s reasonably manageable. I struggle with trying to confirm I have everything when the investory list simply says “bushing”… and I have 10 rubber things none of which have the numbers that are in the inventory list. So despite going through everything, I won’t truly know if I have everything until I need it. It’s an oddity I’m trying to get used to.

As for the sleeves, I find it very difficult to imagine they don’t *always* have those in stock. It’s simply long sections of steel they cut to length. My guess it was simply missed (like my sleeves were). Calling is faster - email took over a week to get a response.

Again I’m a big fan of FFR or I wouldn’t have dropped a ton of money for the car, but like you said these are just cut to size metal tubing. It’s sort of infuriating to receive one when you need two or two when you need four. And I realize a human is packing thousands of parts, so mistakes can happen but this is very simple counting and rechecking. When you have four bolts and four nuts in the bag with two sleeves for the Lower Control arms you just scratch your head.

[gbranham]

Its frustrating for sure, but you have to adjust your expectations for how quick you can build this thing. There will be missing parts, etc, but in the end, it'll be worth it. You'll forget about all the frustration soon enough.

[Mike.Bray]

Hang in there. I built mine towards the tail end of COVID when there were still a lot of supply chain issues. My POL list was 4-5 pages long and my MIK was almost a page. Consider yourself lucky!