Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums Modifications Suspension Cutting perches for Ground Controls?

I plan on getting a Koni/Ground Control setup for my 97 Contour. I have heard that the perches have to be cut or trimmed down in order to be installed properly. What does this mean exactly and how is this done? Any help would be greatly appreciated

The base of the perches are welded to the strut. You're best bet will be to make about 1/4 to 3/8 of an inch above the weld, Mark with permanent marker, and use a hacksaw to remove the perch. The more level your cut the better the coilover stopping plates will sit. Be very very careful not to go to deep. You don't want to damage the stru house. We had to use a hammer to break the perch loose and slide it over the top. Once you see the struts, it should make more sense.

-Andy

There are instructions with the GC's when you get them and they convey the same idea as Andy said.

Hacksaw (or bandsaw as I did) works best, die grinders take to long and are dangerous in this situation both to you and the strut.

Sawzaw's work pretty well too!

-Andy

so is cutting the perches mandatory or just a suggestion? What would happen if the perches were not cut? I am not that knowledgeable when it come to suspensions....so the perch would be on the koni strut?

it is totally mandatory- you will see from the pict that comes with- -----note- just be sure (keyword)BEFORE- cutting them - try and adjust them - each- I hear you should get 2 full turns out of them- - I say this as I did not bother jacking with them as I just wanted to get them on and see what I had done as a finished product- well when test driving it- I got out and thought I would adjust them to see if I could feel the difference - well only one turned 2 turns- the rest 3/4 - 1 turn I can not feel the difference by adjusting mine- as there is really none- and as for warranty- they are Koni - well we VOID it by cutting the purch's off of them- even if I did want to stop and pull them back off at that point- lesson learned the hard way- but I would buy them again- and would recomend them - but just test them right out of the box.

You have to cut the perches for two reasons. One the spring will sit crooked on it as it was shaped for the much bigger stock springs. Two if you don't you will not lower you car. Even with cutting the front perches off The sleave can only go so far down because the bracket for the bolts on bottom of the struts is in the way. The front are not as low as I would like but I am running 35 series tires. If you have anything bigger like 40 series or stock tires you will be tucking at the lowest setting in the front. The rear tucks and can still go lower.