Poking around on the internet can dig up some good stuff. Not just ****.

I found a company, Specialty Products Company

Specialty Products Company - SPC Alignment

Who, if they see enough interest, will make an alternative to the K-Mac eccentric bushings we all need, but don't want to afford. This is my e-mail exchange with Brad (start at the bottom):


You would probably be able to fabricate something that is similar to get the job done. The kit also includes a tool to make on the car adjustments in the rear significantly easier. You could see a picture of the kit if you type in pn 75980 in the part number search.
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Brad Gardner
Customer Service Dept.
Specialty Products Company
1-800-525-6505
303-772-1918 fax
custserv@specprod.com
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From: Max Cichon [CICHOMC@auburn.edu]
Sent: Wednesday, April 18, 2012 10:02 AM
To: custserv none
Subject: RE: New entry added
Brad,
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Would a clever soul, someone that builds machinery for 30 years be able to fabricate a press fixture to extract the bushings? $27 is a whole lot more palatable for us!
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Thanks for taking your time with me.
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Max
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From: custserv none [mailto:custserv@specprod.com]
Sent: Wednesday, April 18, 2012 10:24 AM
To: Max Cichon
Subject: RE: New entry added
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Max,
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That does sound somewhat high. Our rear bushings set for your car retails at $138.55 per side, but that does not include the extraction tool which is another 91.03 for the sleeves that work with a ball joint press.
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Brad Gardner
Customer Service Dept.
Specialty Products Company
1-800-525-6505
303-772-1918 fax
custserv@specprod.com
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From: Max Cichon [CICHOMC@auburn.edu]
Sent: Wednesday, April 18, 2012 9:11 AM
To: custserv none
Subject: RE: New entry added
The K-Mac kits are $400 per set. Most of us consider this a bit high. What are your thoughts on that aspect? I do not know what your pricing structure is.
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Max
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From: custserv none [mailto:custserv@specprod.com]
Sent: Wednesday, April 18, 2012 9:29 AM
To: Max Cichon
Subject: RE: New entry added
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Max,
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Please do that. The more requests we get, the more willing our Engineering team will be willing to look into the issue. Also, what is currently wrong with the K-mac kits that you don't want to use them?
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Brad Gardner
Customer Service Dept.
Specialty Products Company
1-800-525-6505
303-772-1918 fax
custserv@specprod.com
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From: Max Cichon [CICHOMC@auburn.edu]
Sent: Wednesday, April 18, 2012 8:27 AM
To: custserv none
Subject: RE: New entry added
Brad,
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Thanks for your response. I’m going to ask members of crossfireforum.org, slkworld.org and benzworld.org to put in requests to you also to show how much interest there is for a front eccentric bushing for our cars.
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I think there may be a new income line for your company.
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Hopefully, you’ll hear more about this need and I’ll be hearing from you?
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Thanks again,
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Respectfully, Max Cichon
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Max,
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I'm sorry, but we don't currently offer anything for adjusting the front camber on your crossfire. We do offer some eccentric bushings for the rear suspension on your vehicle. I will get your request entered into our system and have our engineering team look into it.
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Brad Gardner
Customer Service Dept.
Specialty Products Company
1-800-525-6505
303-772-1918 fax
custserv@specprod.com
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From: Specialty Products Company [custserv@specprod.com]
Sent: Tuesday, April 17, 2012 8:17 PM
To: custserv none
Subject: New entry added
A new entry has been added to Contact Us and contains the following data
Name : Max Cichon
Phone Number : xxx-xxx-xxxx
Email Address : cichon@physics.auburn.edu
Company Name : www.crossfireforum.org
Address : xxxx
City : Auburn
State : Alabama
Zip : 36830
Send Me A Catalog : Yes
Vehicle Make/Model/Year : 2004-2008 Chrysler Crossfire (MB R 170 chassis)
How Can We Assist You? : There is a large group of folks that need an alternative to K-Mac adjustable front camber bushings. These cars' front suspensions are identical to the Mercedes Benz SLK 320/32 AMG. Both MB owners and Crossfire owners are desperate. Please help!
Entry Date : 2012-04-18 02:17:56
IP Address : 131.204.237.167

You can make a "New Product Request" on their website, or call them in Colorado. The gent I spoke with was very nice and actually requested that I spread the word here and on the other MB-related forums.

Tell everyone you know, please? I'll post this same information on SLKWorld, Benzworld etc.

 

BTW-this is the same company that someone else found for the rear bushings.

 

I think this would be phenomenal. The KMAC kit is the only way to *properly* align the front under heavy lowering... but the $400 tax means most people simply skip the job.

I'm highly in support of a better player in the game. KMAC's monopoly is super costly.

 

John,

the only way this will happen is if they see A LOT of requests! Open a new window in your browser and let them know.

Or call them?

 

Any idea as to how many interested parties they would need? It may even be beneficial if they can set up a point-man to follow this thread... Most organizations have a marketing/social media position (or should, at least in this day and age).

I'll shoot them a line shortly.

 

before you look too far, we have two of our own great members , Mike R, makes the rear.

Needswings makes the adjustable bolts, not sure about the K pack set up. And I'm sure both Mike and Rob's prices are equal or better for forum members,

Now you know the rest of the story, Jim

 

Jim,

these are for alternatives to the K_Mac eccentric front bushings. ONLY. Not the "Collision Repair'" bolts or equivalent.

MikeR makes Rear arms. Not bushings.

Now you know the whole story.

 

Max,

Thanks for starting this endeavor, I am going to call today/tomorrow as I need a set sooner than later, but the $400 price tag, as John suggested, was making me hold off for now.

Jim - I have bolts from NW and 2 sets of arms from Mike, I am all about supporting our vendors. The problem is they do not make this product, or anything like it, so I think the R&D to produce something you have never made versus a company that cranks them out all day would make it a bad deal for one of our vendors to persue. JMHO

 

I wish I could make poly bushings for our car.... mine would have them everywhere!!

This is the same company that makes the rear bushings as mentioned... they are rubber(?), not poly... not a bad thing...just information... and as noted in that thread, they don't make a set for the front....

I would be interested in a GOOD cheaper solution to the Kmac for the front..... my rear suspension is GOOD!

 

thanks guys the more i read the more i learn,,, old school is good but this new technology is better. jim

 

I would say very good

 

subscribed and have my interest. I almost hit the "buy" button for the KMAC's yesterday with all the other parts I am slowly gathering but didn't.

 

Definitely interested as well. Also planning on getting some of Mike's parts in the next month or so.

edit: email to customer svc sent

 

BUMP

Thanks, folks! Keep it up!

 

Email sent this morning, going to try and call tomorrow.

If they see we are a relentless bunch, maybe they will make them just so we stop bothering them

 

CRAP! You've uncovered my plan!

CURSES!

 

I just called and spoke with Brad who took all my info down, I also reiterated our interests psoted here. he is compiling a list of interested parties and forwarding this to their engineers.

 

I emailed Brad also...

 

mike if you want poly bushings i know a guy form taiwan that has an entire kit form engine mounts to front suspension to the rear. about 1600$ plus shipping

 

Steve, I thought you might help with this.

Well?