[Jack21]

Someone told me when I started this project, that one does not need to be an engineer to build one of these things, but it does help if one is, or have friends that is. That's what I love about this forum.

My reluctance to go with coil-overs initially was the entire weight of the front of the car rests on two 1/2" bolts through the lower control arm, and a rubber bushing in the shock. It seems to be working, but am wondering about service life. Polyurethane, with a steel lubricatable insert might work better.

I was the one woofing about the strut rod with polyurethane bushings being too stiff. Oddly enough, it softens up with mileage. On the CR, all the strength of the front suspension is in the strut rod mounting point. The steel that the upper and lower control arm mount to is not particularly beefy. Looking at "Moments" again, the strut rod is where most of the resistance is when you hit the brakes. The upper arm wants to twist foreward, and the lower wants to twist back, and follow the wheel around. The strut rod resists the braking torque. Anything used to replace the strut rod has to be equally beefy. One vendor, Pole Position, uses a 5/8" grade 8 bolt, and some pretty beefy bracketry that gets welded in. RCC only uses 1/2" grade 8, and less bracketry.

Another thing that will drive you nuts is front end alignment. Honestly, pick up a pair of Beroths upper control arm brackets for $100, and be done with it.

And welding that close to fiberglass makes me nervious. Take a cigarette lighter to one of the little glass strands, and you'll see what I mean. Rather do this before body goes on.