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View Full Version : Day 3 progress on Mk4, and two small questions



Shamilton289
09-04-2025, 10:25 AM
Day 1 & Day 2 was a deep dive into inventory.
The inventory list is supplied as approx 46 pages or so, loose leaf held together with a binder clip. After flipping a few pages back and forth I realized it would be faster, neater, cleaner to 3-hole punch the sheets and put them in a 3-ring binder. Much better.

As I inventoried each box I removed the Kraft brown paper packing and did not put it back in the box, ending up with a huge pile of paper. I started to lay it out flattened in front of the car, and any boxes I emptied I broke down and laid underneath the back of the car. This all helps to get the garage space freed up and is a double-check that I haven’t thrown out any parts or paperwork by mistake.

The body is still on and I need to make a portable buck. Ceiling clearance is tight at 8’, but it looks like I can make the buck on stilts and wheels to roll it over the frame assembly or roll it out of the way.

Day 3
I couldn’t resist the urge to test fit a few parts and it was going well enough that I ended up installing the front upper and lower control arms, the spindles, and the manual steering rack. Nothing is done to final torque yet. I want make sure I don’t have to re-do anything just yet.

Question 1: the control arms came with a couple of large snap rings, about the size of the ball joint boot. I didn’t see any video or print instructions mentioning them, and it doesn’t seem obvious where to install them. Any clarification would be appreciated.

Question 2: the manual says the first thing is to install the aluminum F panels. I removed them for ease of installing the control arms. I put one back in place with the two screws. Seems to me there is no reason why I can’t drill, rivet and install them later? My aluminum flat pack is backordered so I don’t have the rivet spacing template yet.

M22_COBRA
09-04-2025, 10:52 AM
Q1: I am not sure either, I don't remember using them.
Q2: Its easier with rivet gun access that the suspension is not there. Gets a little tight near the A arm.

tnt_motorsports
09-04-2025, 11:29 AM
Day 1 & Day 2 was a deep dive into inventory.
The inventory list is supplied as approx 46 pages or so, loose leaf held together with a binder clip. After flipping a few pages back and forth I realized it would be faster, neater, cleaner to 3-hole punch the sheets and put them in a 3-ring binder. Much better.

As I inventoried each box I removed the Kraft brown paper packing and did not put it back in the box, ending up with a huge pile of paper. I started to lay it out flattened in front of the car, and any boxes I emptied I broke down and laid underneath the back of the car. This all helps to get the garage space freed up and is a double-check that I haven’t thrown out any parts or paperwork by mistake.

The body is still on and I need to make a portable buck. Ceiling clearance is tight at 8’, but it looks like I can make the buck on stilts and wheels to roll it over the frame assembly or roll it out of the way.

Day 3
I couldn’t resist the urge to test fit a few parts and it was going well enough that I ended up installing the front upper and lower control arms, the spindles, and the manual steering rack. Nothing is done to final torque yet. I want make sure I don’t have to re-do anything just yet.

Question 1: the control arms came with a couple of large snap rings, about the size of the ball joint boot. I didn’t see any video or print instructions mentioning them, and it doesn’t seem obvious where to install them. Any clarification would be appreciated.

Question 2: the manual says the first thing is to install the aluminum F panels. I removed them for ease of installing the control arms. I put one back in place with the two screws. Seems to me there is no reason why I can’t drill, rivet and install them later? My aluminum flat pack is backordered so I don’t have the rivet spacing template yet.

I did my F panels before the suspension. I don't have the spacing tool but used a sharpie and a measuring tape. 2" spacing sheet metal to sheet metal and 3" spacing sheet metal to chassis.

gbranham
09-04-2025, 11:54 AM
Take your inventory sheets to a print shop and have them scan them to a PDF for you, or do it yourself if you have a scanner. It makes searching for parts so much quicker when you can search a PDF and not have to thumb through 46 pages.

I did my F-panels on both my builds before suspension and brake lines. Easier rivet gun access.

Greg

Mike.Bray
09-04-2025, 01:10 PM
Good luck with that manual rack. You couldn't pay me to get rid of my power steering.

M22_COBRA
09-04-2025, 01:24 PM
@Shamilton289 My Brother from the manual rack mother!:)
Manual rack... because I never want to be accused of pushing too many pencils.
218427

Mike.Bray
09-04-2025, 03:10 PM
The power steering isn't just about effort although that part is nice. The increased caster you can run really adds a lot of stability to the car, something these 90" wheelbase high torque cars can use.

M22_COBRA
09-04-2025, 03:49 PM
The power steering isn't just about effort although that part is nice. The increased caster you can run really adds a lot of stability to the car, something these 90" wheelbase high torque cars can use.

I know, but its STILL funny!

bil1024
09-04-2025, 07:30 PM
Are the snap rings possibly for the coil overs ?

Shamilton289
09-04-2025, 07:33 PM
Are the snap rings possibly for the coil overs ?
Maybe..I have not unpacked the coil overs yet

PMD24
09-05-2025, 07:56 PM
I spoke with FFR about those snap rings when I did my suspension. They are included in the kit for ball joints associated with donor suspension. They are not used as part of a complete kit.

gbranham
09-05-2025, 08:25 PM
You might consider starting a build thread with all of your updates, rather than separate threads for each day's activities. It'll make it easier for you to review folks' feedback.

Greg

Shamilton289
09-05-2025, 09:12 PM
i spoke with ffr about those snap rings when i did my suspension. They are included in the kit for ball joints associated with donor suspension. They are not used as part of a complete kit.
thank you

Shamilton289
09-05-2025, 09:15 PM
Are the snap rings possibly for the coil overs ?
Good idea, but no, the shocks came with their own snap rings.
PMD24 had the correct answer, they are for donor used control arm ball joints.
I’m doing the complete kit, they are not used