mm c/c plates + bilstein struts = damaged hood

hardhitter · October 3rd, 2008, 12:32 PM

I installed some mm c/c plates the other day and I thought everything was okay until I opened my hood today and see that the hood has been damaged from where the struts are hitting it. Has anyone else had this problem?

Avaric3 · October 3rd, 2008, 12:40 PM

never heard of that, from wut ive read, mm c/c plates are regarded as the best ones out there

interfac9 · October 3rd, 2008, 03:32 PM

From what I've seen and heard, you can still use the factory dust covers, so the struts shouldn't have hit anything.

hardhitter · October 3rd, 2008, 05:24 PM

Originally Posted by interfac9

From what I've seen and heard, you can still use the factory dust covers, so the struts shouldn't have hit anything.

The bilsteins have their own dust covers. I just got an alignment and it's even worse than without c/c plates. The caster is off and the plates are pushed as far as they will go. The whole reason I bought them was to make it align better and it ends up being worse.

buddyantunez1 · October 3rd, 2008, 05:38 PM

something is wrong. im Steeda 4 bolts are close but have never rubbed. who installed them?

01gtMustang132 · October 3rd, 2008, 05:42 PM

seems like you missed some of the rubber washers...

hardhitter · October 3rd, 2008, 05:50 PM

I just reread the instructions and it says that you can rearrange the spacers if it's hitting the hood so I guess I will have to do that. Also they recommend a different caster than Ford does so I can barely get it to what they recommend.

ModMustang97GT · October 3rd, 2008, 05:57 PM

Yeah, you are supposed to adjust the spacers as necessary. I have had no issues. As for the caster, I have not had my alignment checked but I have a pretty aggresive set up and my tires are wearing normally.

hardhitter · October 3rd, 2008, 07:09 PM

I just thought with such a small drop they would be able to handle it no problem.

SWEET2KSTANG · October 3rd, 2008, 10:45 PM

i am having alignment issues with my car as well, its sits so low my cc plates cant make the tolerences either. the spacers are there to prevent the struts from hitting the hood, throw a few in there and see if that will be enough.

hardhitter · October 3rd, 2008, 10:50 PM

Originally Posted by SWEET2KSTANG

i am having alignment issues with my car as well, its sits so low my cc plates cant make the tolerences either. the spacers are there to prevent the struts from hitting the hood, throw a few in there and see if that will be enough.

I only have B springs so I shouldn't be having problems right?

1StockGT · October 3rd, 2008, 10:56 PM

I think somewhere in the instructions there were specific instructions for cars with Bilsteins. Are you using Bilsteins from a Cobra? If so there is a seperate piece needed to install them with Bilsteins, where you don't use the factory dust boots.

SWEET2KSTANG · October 3rd, 2008, 10:56 PM

shouldnt, you shouldnt even come close to needing plates. i have c-springs and didnt need the plates till i installed my k member. when i installed it the front lowered even more.

1StockGT · October 3rd, 2008, 11:08 PM

I was trying to get a link to the part, but was unable to. If you go to their website and go to product search. Type in dustcover. If you are using the stock dustcover and bump stop, that might be why you are having this problem. I hope this helps.

I've used MM c/c plates on my 2003 Gt and now on my 2003 Cobra. I've had only good results so far.

hardhitter · October 3rd, 2008, 11:09 PM

Originally Posted by SWEET2KSTANG

shouldnt, you shouldnt even come close to needing plates. i have c-springs and didnt need the plates till i installed my k member. when i installed it the front lowered even more.

The c/c was in specs with out them but I wanted it to be dead on so I bought the plates. Now the camber is dead on but the caster is more off than without the plates. I don't get it.

hardhitter · October 3rd, 2008, 11:11 PM

Originally Posted by 1StockGT

I was trying to get a link to the part, but was unable to. If you go to their website and go to product search. Type in dustcover. If you are using the stock dustcover and bump stop, that might be why you are having this problem. I hope this helps.

I've used MM c/c plates on my 2003 Gt and now on my 2003 Cobra. I've had only good results so far.

I'm using the bilstein dust cover and it has a built in bumpstop. I'm not using any of the stock parts.

hardhitter · October 3rd, 2008, 11:13 PM

It looks like this.

http://customerpics.americanmuscle.c...3150&sku=47000

Notice how the front nut is touching the top plate so that the strut can't go forward anymore.

1StockGT · October 3rd, 2008, 11:27 PM

I'm not sure what the problem is. Have you double checked the plates to make sure they are facing the right directions? I'm sure you have, but worth a second or third look I guess.

I wouldn't think you would have much of an alignment problem with such a small drop. In my Gt I had the BBK springs, which doesn't really drop the car too much and it wasn't far out of alignment. The plates got it squared away with plenty of room to spare.

hardhitter · October 3rd, 2008, 11:33 PM

Originally Posted by 1StockGT

I'm not sure what the problem is. Have you double checked the plates to make sure they are facing the right directions? I'm sure you have, but worth a second or third look I guess.

I wouldn't think you would have much of an alignment problem with such a small drop. In my Gt I had the BBK springs, which doesn't really drop the car too much and it wasn't far out of alignment. The plates got it squared away with plenty of room to spare.

I have them installed in the "positive" direction, the same as that picture. The instructions recommend this for street vehicles.

SWEET2KSTANG · October 4th, 2008, 12:13 AM

call MM and they should be able to tell you whats going on.

October 3rd, 2008, 12:32 PM	#1
hardhitter Enthusiast 1999 Mustang GT Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 791	mm c/c plates + bilstein struts = damaged hood I installed some mm c/c plates the other day and I thought everything was okay until I opened my hood today and see that the hood has been damaged from where the struts are hitting it. Has anyone else had this problem? __________________ Vortech V2-SQ

October 3rd, 2008, 03:32 PM	#3
interfac9 Regular 1999 Mustang GT Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Newport News, VA Posts: 126	From what I've seen and heard, you can still use the factory dust covers, so the struts shouldn't have hit anything. __________________ 1999 Mustang GT, 247.7 RWHP @ 4400 RPM - 300 Ft/lbs TQ Roush CAI, UPR TB Spacer, MAC O/R H-Pipe, Flowmaster Catback, 4.10 Gears, Centerforce Stage II Clutch, Bilstein Shocks & Struts, H&R Springs, Roush LCAs, Mach 1 Grill Delete

October 3rd, 2008, 05:38 PM	#5
buddyantunez1 Enthusiast 2000 3.8L Mustang 195.9/220.8 hp/tq N/A Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Cleveland MS/Stafford VA Posts: 673	something is wrong. im Steeda 4 bolts are close but have never rubbed. who installed them? __________________ ~Nitrous is like a Hot Girl with STD's, you know you wanna hit it, but your afraid of the consequences~

October 3rd, 2008, 05:42 PM	#6
01gtMustang132 Regular 2001 Mustang GT 13.15@101 Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 121	seems like you missed some of the rubber washers... __________________

October 3rd, 2008, 05:50 PM	#7
hardhitter Enthusiast 1999 Mustang GT Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 791	I just reread the instructions and it says that you can rearrange the spacers if it's hitting the hood so I guess I will have to do that. Also they recommend a different caster than Ford does so I can barely get it to what they recommend. __________________ Vortech V2-SQ

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October 3rd, 2008, 05:57 PM	#8
ModMustang97GT Enthusiast 1997 Mustang GT Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 639	Yeah, you are supposed to adjust the spacers as necessary. I have had no issues. As for the caster, I have not had my alignment checked but I have a pretty aggresive set up and my tires are wearing normally. __________________ Aztec Gold 97GT. MM CC Plates, Panhard Bar, Subframes & Tower Brace Eibach Sway Bars H&R Race Springs/Bilstein Shocks MAC CAI, LT's, Catted H and Pro-Dumps KB Boost-a-Spark PI Swap Spun Main Bearing...

October 3rd, 2008, 07:09 PM	#9
hardhitter Enthusiast 1999 Mustang GT Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 791	I just thought with such a small drop they would be able to handle it no problem. __________________ Vortech V2-SQ

October 3rd, 2008, 10:45 PM	#10
SWEET2KSTANG I Post Entirely Way Too Much 2000 mustang gt 11.79@115.83 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: N.W. AR Posts: 5,024	i am having alignment issues with my car as well, its sits so low my cc plates cant make the tolerences either. the spacers are there to prevent the struts from hitting the hood, throw a few in there and see if that will be enough. __________________ stock long block, bolt ons, slicks, and a little squeeze N/A-12.81@103.7 N2O-11.79@115.8 parting out 04 cobra, pm me for details

October 3rd, 2008, 10:56 PM	#12
1StockGT Regular 2003 Cobra Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Newport News Posts: 320	I think somewhere in the instructions there were specific instructions for cars with Bilsteins. Are you using Bilsteins from a Cobra? If so there is a seperate piece needed to install them with Bilsteins, where you don't use the factory dust boots.

October 3rd, 2008, 11:08 PM	#14
1StockGT Regular 2003 Cobra Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Newport News Posts: 320	I was trying to get a link to the part, but was unable to. If you go to their website and go to product search. Type in dustcover. If you are using the stock dustcover and bump stop, that might be why you are having this problem. I hope this helps. I've used MM c/c plates on my 2003 Gt and now on my 2003 Cobra. I've had only good results so far.

October 3rd, 2008, 11:13 PM	#17
hardhitter Enthusiast 1999 Mustang GT Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 791	It looks like this. http://customerpics.americanmuscle.c...3150&sku=47000 Notice how the front nut is touching the top plate so that the strut can't go forward anymore. __________________ Vortech V2-SQ Last edited by hardhitter : October 3rd, 2008 at 11:18 PM.

October 3rd, 2008, 11:27 PM	#18
1StockGT Regular 2003 Cobra Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Newport News Posts: 320	I'm not sure what the problem is. Have you double checked the plates to make sure they are facing the right directions? I'm sure you have, but worth a second or third look I guess. I wouldn't think you would have much of an alignment problem with such a small drop. In my Gt I had the BBK springs, which doesn't really drop the car too much and it wasn't far out of alignment. The plates got it squared away with plenty of room to spare.

October 4th, 2008, 12:13 AM	#20
SWEET2KSTANG I Post Entirely Way Too Much 2000 mustang gt 11.79@115.83 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: N.W. AR Posts: 5,024	call MM and they should be able to tell you whats going on. __________________ stock long block, bolt ons, slicks, and a little squeeze N/A-12.81@103.7 N2O-11.79@115.8 parting out 04 cobra, pm me for details

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