Eibach spring install help?

[johnny_d]

So I was googling and came across this

http://abella.net/vw/eibach.shtml

it doesn't look too bad except it the front part was the hardest and they didn't provide enough pictures. I'm taking an automotive class and they got lifts and stuff, they might have a spring compressor, I'll have to ask, cuz they even have a dyno machine lolz. Anyway, what do you guys think? would a n00b like me be able to pull this off to save 120 bucks?

[dangeris]

let me tell you...I installed springs in my Acura CL and I have jacks and air tools and it ain't no joke. Took me the whole day to get it done and I still had to get it aligned! Never freakin again! $120 to install?..that's cheap! The way I figured it, my time is worth more than the $120. I'd give it to the pros and let them do it. Remember, the springs need to be installed and the car aligned. Plus, if they mess up, they're liable. IF you mess up, it could end up being a very expensive lesson to learn. just my opinion....you're gonna do what you're gonna do. Good Luck!

[Loop]

Here is another one on a Versa

zerothread?id=310650

Also Johnny, I know a place that does it for $100 if you care about saving $20 lol

[skiski329]

you have to get it aligned? darn, i was going to do it in my school shop. this may be a dumb question but why do you have to get an align?

[johnny_d]

that versa post is very detailed, there is a lot of steps involved hmm... i'll have to think about that $100 is better than $120 of course

[adidas2go]

you have to get it aligned? darn, i was going to do it in my school shop. this may be a dumb question but why do you have to get an align?

No alignment necessary

[windex]

Heres y two cents... I replaces the front struts on my SE-R. It wasnt hard to do and I had air tools and a hydraulic jack. It took me like 1h or 1.5h... Now I know with the back I would have had to take out the seats and what not. Well I dont think I want to do it again so mines defiantly going to a shop. Only way I'm not getting a shop to do it is if I dont get these spring and attempt to wait for the tanabe coilover setup, which a shop will be installing!

[johnny_d]

it seems that even the veterans are not gonna do it themselves I guess I should just spare myself the costly lesson then. Thanks guys

[ppazz1101]

No alignment necessary

I'm surprised to hear you say that. You seem like one of the more knowledgable people on this board.

You should ALWAYS take your car for an alignment after installing springs. Why? Simple. With a MacPherson strut assembly, you need to remove the entire assembly from the car in order to replace the spring (you actually disassemble it - hence the need for a spring compressor). In addition to changing camber angle, you may also change the toe and caster angle in the process.

ALWAYS get an alignment after changing springs.

[LongBeachCoupe]

"remember when you asked me what its like to see a bullet come out of a gun" -Grandpa Joe to Charlie in Willy Wonka...

DO NOT ATTEMPT THIS INSTALL... if you are asking ANYTHING, thats too much to be in the dark over.. this isnt HIDs or taking off the wind-deflector...

[adidas2go]

I'm surprised to hear you say that. You seem like one of the more knowledgable people on this board.

You should ALWAYS take your car for an alignment after installing springs. Why? Simple. With a MacPherson strut assembly, you need to remove the entire assembly from the car in order to replace the spring (you actually disassemble it - hence the need for a spring compressor). In addition to changing camber angle, you may also change the toe and caster angle in the process.

ALWAYS get an alignment after changing springs.

I'm only passing on what Eibach did. Remember i have this kit already. There was no alignment done and it still drives perfectly straight and level. Sorry for misconstruing anyone point


Modified by adidas2go at 2:49 PM 2/15/2008

[johnny_d]

hey Blake,

I was about to order the springs and saw on Stillen's website that the drop on the Coupe is (1.5" Front, 1.0" Rear) Does that sound about right on your car? Cuz i keep hearing about Eibach being 1'' even drop all around

[rjdmmfl1]

hey Blake,

I was about to order the springs and saw on Stillen's website that the drop on the Coupe is (1.5" Front, 1.0" Rear) Does that sound about right on your car? Cuz i keep hearing about Eibach being 1'' even drop all around

A couple things... we've been guesstimating the drop to be exactly 1" all around because that's usually what it is...however, that is not always the case... look here

http://eibach.com/cgi-bin/html...00751

and here

http://eibach.com/cgi-bin/html...00751

what's on Eibach's website is def more accurate than anyone on this forum's guesses! Also, if you look at Blake's setup, its pretty clear that the extra .5" of fender gap in the front is now matched with the rear, so yeah, I would bet that eibach's website is correct!

Now regarding the alignment, its always a good idea to get an alignment whenever you do anything to your wheels, be it lowering springs, larger wheels, or even hitting a pothole. Any type of perturbation can throw your alignment off. In the case of the Eibachs, just because they said something doesn't make it holy grail. ANything done during the install process could have thrown the alignment off just a bit.

Speaking of alignment, if you go to your local firestone service center, they have the option of doing your alignment, and for an extra fee, they will offer you FREE ALIGNMENTS FOR THE LIFE OF YOUR VEHICLE... that's what I do with all of my vehicles... you never know when that pothole will throw your alignmnt off and you'll need one.... def wort $140 in my opinion!

[adidas2go]

1.5 inch drop in the front. 1 inch drop in the back. As for the alignment. Ive also heard its a good idea to get one done everytime you get a front end mod done. However in my years of working with cars i have never seen a viable reason unless the front end is pulling or your tires are wearing unevenly. Just always been my general concensis.