ADS Off-Road Racing Shocks - Information, Pictures, & BS Thread

Is anyone running the fronts at minimum preload with the softer 650 springs? Any issues encountered? I'm not looking for any significant lift and don't have much added weight up front. ADS tells me they're adjustable 1.5" - 3.0" for a base vehicle (I assume this means 0.5" - 2.0" for 3rd gen).

Is "adjusting" the front installation mandatory to accommodate sway bar clearance?

 

I ran zero preload for about a year with 700lb springs and it felt amazing. Honestly much better than it does now with just 1.5” of lift over factory. I do have the extra weight of steel skids and rock sliders however.

 

13” or 14” (extended) coil?

 

Good question, it's for a "bolt-in" setup, not the "long travel" one. ADS' site does not provide details of the included spring.

 

extended travel is the same as bolt-in, just a 1/2” of travel more... not sure if they carry two lengths still. I have the 700# 14”. Will be trying 650# 14” next.

the ride is good, but I can see where 650# in the 14” coil will work better with my setup.

 

I don’t think ADS even ships their OEM length coilovers with anything other than a 14” coil.

all their springs are Eibach, who doesn’t even make a 13” coil.

 

A small update: I was able to gain some clearance on the swaybar and reservoirs by massaging the mounts a bit. Regarding the endlink on the swaybar side, I think I can install a small bushing on the balljoint side to reduce the amount of thread protrusion, which will keep the endlink from bashing into the lower spring seat.

These solutions have gotten rid of most of my knocking sounds. The only things left is popping while turning, which I assume is more of a normal thing in the setting of solid bushings and a bit of coil bind. Are you guys experiencing little pops when turning sharply (like parking)?

 

What is your alignment like? Do you have your caster maxed out?

I have my caster pretty much still at factory position and the only sounds I get is when I have tires turned roughly 25 degrees either way and hit a good bump. The tire just touches the thin plastic fender liner. Otherwise my ADS suspension is bump, grind, pop and completely noise free.

Eventually I will do some forward movement of the LCAs after I hack my front bumper off and build a high clearance one to replace it with. That and weld on the Marlin LCA gussets and frame braces. I think if I move the tire forward now to clear the rear of the wheel well, I'd just be hitting the plastic liner in the front of the wheel well.

 

Check the radiator brackets where the sway bar crosses over beneath the front

 

When I ordered mine I had the option to choose from both, but this was a few years ago. The stock coil is 13” and at the time ADS offered this as a standard length

 

ditch the sway bar all together, you will be happier, especially with 700lb coils, and weight in the front, NO RAGRETS

 

My alignment is set for Thursday morning, I wanted to let things settle a bit before getting it done. This popping im hearing is not tire rub or fouling. I think it may be due to me changing the preload while they were on the truck (it was set opposite sided accidentally by ADS). I think the tension may be causing the spring to bind? That's just a theory. Im only hearing this pop when im under 5mph in tight turning scenarios like parallel parking, where quick back and forth happens.

When you mentioned this yesterday I kept it in mind while I was adjusting things. The swaybar does not seem to be getting close to the radiator bracket. I can follow up while having someone turn the wheel hard to be sure this is not happening under motion.

 

It's normal mine did the same now it's cherry right at 1900miles oo boy

 

I can recall when mine were first installed, there was some popping and what not. It went away eventually. Probably just needs to settle / break-in. Go out and wheel those bad boys!

 

That's the plan! New tires (again) tomorrow, alignment, destruction!!!!

 

Took it for a spin this evening. Definitely needs and alignment. Small rubbing on the front plastic.

 

Check your boot on the UCA to make sure it’s seated right and has enough grease. Idk if JBA is using new boots but it looks different than mine. Mine is smooth when I pack it with grease.

 

I’ll try and shoot more grease into the fitting. From what I remember, the ball joint was updated recently?

 

Yeah that looks like an updated boot, so you’re good to go. I usually add grease until the grease oozing out is clean. Since you’re are brand new, should be good once you see grease.

 

While we’re on this topic. How often do you grease your fittings? I was thinking every time I go off-roading. Is that overkill?