REGISTER your SUMO'S!!

[Pixelbum1]

Am in the middle of DIY'g a set of front-and-back SUMO Springs which I purchased l March of this year. Before starting the process I called the
manufacturer in California about a tech question and explained to the very
nice lady there that I was just getting around to it in my driveway now because
of a short shot of wonderful weather. They are going on an '11 Solera 24S. We double
checked the numbers on each set of springs just to make sure I had the
right ones, which I did...however...she offered a new free, updated set for the rear's
as evidently after three yrs. or so some owners have been getting distortion
and mis-shaping of the rubber blocks(less efficiency). She said that as of a
few months ago they changed the design slightly(more "ribs" now...) to remedy this problem. Since I had not put them on yet she politely told me to send her
a pic of the shipping box and a copy of the bill of sale. I offered to return them
but she said that is all her boss needs...keep them. The updated free set is
on the way as I type and am looking foward to getting them on too. Not bad and a little bit of luck, eh?

My point it this tho...make sure you REGISTER the springs...so that they can
contact you in case something like this crops up. Super company and super
policy!

PS: Just hope the old rear Sumo's pop out and the new one's go in as easy as described. In contrast the front's are held in with a nut\screw combo at the jounce locations and was rather tedious because of the prone position I was
in and then having to reach up to find the nut with the socket...this is hidden
from direct view and inside the axle a bit. When I hit the other side I smartened up and reached in over the hanging tire from the outside and
using the braille method found the nut a little easier. Nonetheless, am stiff and sore today!
Btw...the instructions call for a 10mm socket for the nut but I think a plain ol'
1/2 deep socket worked fine for me and was a snug fit(no rounding of corners...). Otherwise you will be using around a 12mm metric, or so, but
not a 10mm! Now...where did I put my registration papers??

[jdyson]

Originally Posted by Pixelbum1

Am in the middle of DIY'g a set of front-and-back SUMO Springs which I purchased l March of this year. Before starting the process I called the
manufacturer in California about a tech question and explained to the very
nice lady there that I was just getting around to it in my driveway now because
of a short shot of wonderful weather. They are going on an '11 Solera 24S. We double
checked the numbers on each set of springs just to make sure I had the
right ones, which I did...however...she offered a new free, updated set for the rear's
as evidently after three yrs. or so some owners have been getting distortion
and mis-shaping of the rubber blocks(less efficiency). She said that as of a
few months ago they changed the design slightly(more "ribs" now...) to remedy this problem. Since I had not put them on yet she politely told me to send her
a pic of the shipping box and a copy of the bill of sale. I offered to return them
but she said that is all her boss needs...keep them. The updated free set is
on the way as I type and am looking foward to getting them on too. Not bad and a little bit of luck, eh?

My point it this tho...make sure you REGISTER the springs...so that they can
contact you in case something like this crops up. Super company and super
policy!

PS: Just hope the old rear Sumo's pop out and the new one's go in as easy as described. In contrast the front's are held in with a nut\screw combo at the jounce locations and was rather tedious because of the prone position I was
in and then having to reach up to find the nut with the socket...this is hidden
from direct view and inside the axle a bit. When I hit the other side I smartened up and reached in over the hanging tire from the outside and
using the braille method found the nut a little easier. Nonetheless, am stiff and sore today!
Btw...the instructions call for a 10mm socket for the nut but I think a plain ol'
1/2 deep socket worked fine for me and was a snug fit(no rounding of corners...). Otherwise you will be using around a 12mm metric, oyou r so, but
not a 10mm! Now...where did I put my registration papers??

I had the same hanging over the tire experience on the fronts I installed a few weeks ago, but got them done! Good detail you pass along herehere, and yes... they had redesigned the rear ones from the time I installed them on my previous Class B until now.

These Sumo's are great, well worth the price.

Thanks for the post.

[HONDAMAN174]

They are great people! They even offered me to exchange my sumo's for the super stiff ones if I didn't like these. The shop owner that helped me throw them on was shocked with how easy they were.

[Pod2Vibe]

Just installed my rear Sumo's.

Lets just say I am very impressed with the out come.

A must for any MBS rig and others.

[Pixelbum1]

Ok! I'm goin' "IN"! Just got the rear Sumo's in record time from the kind lady in Carpinteria, Ca. and am going out to the driveway to lift the rear and replace! Hope
they "bend" in easily? Thanks for all the comments above(HondaMan and Pod2Vibe...).
Can't wait to ride on all four now! ;]

[Pod2Vibe]

Originally Posted by Pixelbum1

Ok! I'm goin' "IN"! Just got the rear Sumo's in record time from the kind lady in Carpinteria, Ca. and am going out to the driveway to lift the rear and replace! Hope
they "bend" in easily? Thanks for all the comments above(HondaMan and Pod2Vibe...).
Can't wait to ride on all four now! ;]

How did that go? I had to use a little force to get them in.

Just got back from the first trip with mine and the difference is amazing.

Don't really need the bigfoot stabilizers any more as far as side to side motion goes. They are still nice to raise the rear a bit when needed.

I think the Sumo's are right up there at the top on the best mod ever list.

[Pixelbum1]

Say Pod2...

Just caught your comment. Install went fine but for the rear's pretty much like your's...a bit stiff to push in. Seated them into the front part of the jounce "shoe" as much as possible and tried to use my hands to bend the rears in to no avail. The mosquito's and light rain didn't help much either, including my prone working position. Anyway, finally ended up using a semi-dull chisel with a hefty handle. This helped "grip" the
back rubber lip so that I could push it into the back part of the metal jounce shoe. Once I found the sweet spot on the lip it went in like butter. This is some tough rubber which also has an integrated protective coating on it making the bare hand routine, as you know, kinda hard, esp. if one has a touch of arthritis.

But...ALL done now...and as you I agree it makes a very solid difference on the overall ride, stance, and turning values. The four Sumo's plus a RoadMaster anti-sway bar complete the package and don't think I need anything else. I'll bet that FR starts making these an install option in the near future as they already are going with the Hellwigs? I would pay for these options if buying anew and hope any nubies take our advice...get 'em! GOOD mods...

-PB

(notice above that I have the "beer" guys AFTER building the fire, LOL!)

PS: Notice you have an ABARTH toad! I was thinking about one too and wondering
how your Mercedes gas mileage holds up with that, esp. in the hills?? RSVP...

[Pod2Vibe]

Hey Pix,

Glad to hear you got em in. I did notice a better stance on the rig as it does not sag in the back anymore.

In regards to towing the Abarth, love it. Just got back from a quick 300 mile trip during a heat wave. Some of which got up to 105F with a fair amount of grades leaving (and returning to) the SF Bay Area heading down into Monterrey County on the 101. With the A/C cranked, we averaged 12.8 MPG.
The best MPG ever while towing has been 13.5 and the worst was 12 even.

[Pixelbum1]

Inspirational!. THAT is pretty damned good mpg for moving all that combined weight in that heat and gradients!
Let's just see if our bigger diesel pusher bro's (uh oh...here we go...) can do that one-hah!?
You probably don't even know that the little rascal is behind you other than an occasional peek at the rear-view camera? Yes, I noticed(and feel) the same level stance on mine now too...interesting. Sidenote: went to school in St. Barbara (Brooks Inst. of Photography) back in the mid-70's (ouch) and was all over the state amassing a great portfolio for graduation...really miss it...but couldn't stay as that market was
flooded with photographers and cinemaphotographers who would work for nothing just to stay in the area. Not for me! Carved out a good one here in Ohio but have visited
"it" once in a while...sigh...

Be safe over there and keep her fueled up in case you have to make a mad dash out if the fires get overly close. Also,and hey, the Sumo's will dampen any bouncing from the San
Andreas...another benefit!! Will let you know if I end up with a toad Fiat too down the pike!
Ideal weight by far. My wife and I were both in the USAF before traveling to CA. and were stationed in Germany. I saluted her but we both enjoyed traveling all over Europe in her Fiat Spyder with the top down all the time. Great memories...sigh... My best and safe travels! Go Solera. Go Sumo's. Go Abarth! -PB

[Pod2Vibe]

Good stuff Pix! Will do.

My buddy had a Spyder back in the day. Very cool ride.

The Abarth is a great toad. Lots of people have questions about the setup. Easy to tow and a blast to drive.

Take care,

Jay

[Pod2Vibe]

[Pixelbum1]

Dear Pod(Jay),,,
Just to let you know we finally got a Fiat. Opted for a clean 2014
500L Lounge 6-on-the-floor as our fun car and toad. Told you last year
that I would keep you posted re this. Man...what an engine this little
brat has! I have to really keep the turbo at bay when I'm out in traffic
by myself but for a car that weighs around 3.200 lbs...not too shabby!

My wife didn't want to get anything smaller so we compromised on the
L and it works well. Not the most comfortable seats and grabby brakes(don't
get me wrong...they will STOP you!), and gear One is hard to get used to...
but that being said the manual 6-speed eliminated a LOT of problems as far
as what can be towed, and not.

We've decided to pick up a new ACME dolly down in N. Carolina where
they are manu'd. I think I can handle the pro's and con's after studying
both systems and can end up towing for less than half the cost of 4-down.
Will let you know how I feel after I have to drive her up and hook her down
in the rain a few times...ha ha? The cost was a big factor, unfortunately,
in deciding all this, and the ACME EZE-TOW looks to be a solid-welded unit with integrated, surge-disk brakes. Only weighs around 350 lbs. and can be stowed on end where I keep the Solera(24S). So...we shall see. News
at eleven and want to thank you for the inspiration re the Fiat. Hmmmmm...now that the new 124 is out...uh...I wonder how that would look behind...er...never mind...damn... -Jay

[Pixelbum1]

Jay-

Just sent you an update under our old "REGISTER your SUMO'S!! re towing
a Fiat thread. Hope you can navigate to that spot for the details? RSVP -Jay
in Dayton(24S).

Originally Posted by Pod2Vibe