Just Installed Springs.....Problems!

[kevdog240]

i just installed some eibeck sportsline springs (didnt get the shocks yet). PROBLEMS! so if i JUST have the springs will the car bounce more? thats not a problem but the car is messed up. we havent got a wheel alignment yet cause its the weekend but the steering wheel is a lot softer then before. it takes more turning to turn it (is that normal)? also, when i hit bumps (not even big ones) the car freakin skips right and left. i mean like i have to have 2 hands on the wheel at all times. is this cause of the alignment too? i hope so! Oh yea one more thing.... the car makes a popping noise around the front right spring now when i hit big bumps. what could that be?

by the way good story......i was playin with the car before i knew it was messed up and CAME ****ING CLOSE TO CRASHING. i went around a turn fast but way in control (not knowing the car was messed up) and started hydroplaning....next thing i know we are doing a slow motion 180 and just stay backwards going through the turn off the road. the car goes down a mud covered ditch and stops 2 FEET SHORT OF A ****ING HUGE TREE!!!!!! back end by the tree (where the gas tank is)! yeaaaaaaaaa, i need to get the car back in control. i wasent planning on getting the shocks soon but after this i think its the next thing! anyways we got stuck hardcore in the deep mud and had to get a friend with a JACKED UP wrangler to come and literaly drag me out while someone stopped traffic for us. created quite the backup.....hahahaha. I WISH I HAD MY CAMERA TO SHOW YOU PICS! the car was sitting perfect to show off the rims and the dirt was up to the car so it looked super dropped. it looked like i parked there like an idiot to show my car off or something........either way i didnt die and my car came out of it with mud on the rims.......still gotta clean that........definitly scary..........

anyways if any of you can help with the crazy suspension i have now that would be sweet!

[WingsNThangs]

Oh yea one more thing.... the car makes a popping noise around the front right spring now when i hit big bumps. what could that be?

Check your shock mounts, they might be busted.

[stickgoat]

Well that isn't very encouraging. I'm about to install my Pro-Kit springs on stock struts next weekend. I hope it goes a bit smoother than that.....

[96_S14_SE]

When I put my progress springs on they rode fine on the stock fronts for ummmm about 6 months..

They rode like *** on the rears after the first 30 mins though. Thats because when you take two novice tuners and do something neither has done before you make mistakes. In this case it was wrapping a vice-grip in a rag and clamping it to the rear struts to get the upper nuts off and on!!!! Scored them both good and both where blown before I made the 1 hr trip home.

With both rears gone it was really really bouncy. I hit a succesion of 3 bumps, and nailed the upward bend in my N1 to the flat ground. Mean while the fronts felt great...

Check for fluid leakage where the strut pistons enter the body for any types of fluids.

Oh and to summer, dont mangle the strut pistons , and take your time and all should be good. I would also test the struts rebound (push down and it should come back up) when you have it apart so that youll know if the shocks are good or not prior to putting a stiffer spring on it. If they are blown or nearly blown I would reassemble it with the stockers...

[Structure240sx]

same thing happen to me last summer when i put int he prokits. rode on stock struts for a week, i was scared ****less even goin straigh the back would wiggle around.

96 s14, the vise grip around the strut is the same way i did it. how are u suppose to do it?

[kevdog240]

same thing happen to me last summer when i put int he prokits. rode on stock struts for a week, i was scared ****less even goin straigh the back would wiggle around.

96 s14, the vise grip around the strut is the same way i did it. how are u suppose to do it?

so what did you end up doing to make it work out? does this have nothing to do with doing a full wheel alignment (since i have to wait til monday)..........

[kevdog240]

96_s14_se - what are the strut pistons.........dont mean to be a complete dumba$$

[I am Technoman]

Suspension is very hard to deal with! I Say if you’re not going to spend 12 to 1500 on a good set of coilovers IE: “TEIN” don’t do anything to it or you will forever be fighting the camber demon.

[MainEvent212]

wait, i'm buying tein s-tech springs, and agx adjustables for my S14...

do i HAVE to get a spring compressor or can i use something else?

[WingsNThangs]

You don't HAVE to get a spring compressor just like you don't HAVE to be alive and unharmed.

[kevdog240]

after driving around i have decided my car is no fun to drive like this anymore so i am going to have to switch my order of buying parts and get shocks next. this should get rid of all the problems right? no more bouncing or loose car? also, if i get a 4 wheel alignment can i then put the shocks on and not pay for it again or will i have to align the car AGAIN!? one more question, where have you guys found the cheapest shocks cause i havent looked to much yet and need to get them fast.

thanks for all the help guys

[NISMOdrift240]

Cheapest....tirerack.com, spring for the AGX's. I have the sportlines with them, and my car sticks to the ground. that is of course, after energy suspension tension rod bushings (could be the cause of some of your slop), and a 4 wheel alignment. i got the springs/struts for $550 and installed for $100 at a local shop ( got them to match the tirerack.com price as much as they could) incredible setup, and adjustable too.

[LaureltheQueen]

if you ahve that popping niose, it could be the seat in for the spring. Check and make sure you still have the little rubber liner deals, and that the end of the spring is properly seated in the cup.

[UncleBen]

my shocks didn't sit in the seat of my tokico's very well at first. i kept having to take them off, mess around with the bushings, etc. finally got them to where they very rarely make that popping noise. i have sportlines btw

[240canuck]

I got eibach's with koni adjustables best damn thing i ever did to my car. ride is a little boucy but it corners like its on rails. no body lean, no tire squel just fast corners the rear tends to lose traction and light them up if there is alot of small little bumps in a row but other then that its great stock struts lasted me about 3 days with the eibach's.

[96_S14_SE]

same thing happen to me last summer when i put int he prokits. rode on stock struts for a week, i was scared ****less even goin straigh the back would wiggle around.

96 s14, the vise grip around the strut is the same way i did it. how are u suppose to do it?

NEVER EVER clamp anything on to the piston / rod (actually called a piston rod ) of the strut!!! The piston rod needs to 100% true, as if it gets scored it cant seal against the upper shock seal... If it doesnt seel the oil leaks out. If there is no oil the shock is worthless... See? Oh and kevdog the piston rod, is the main rod in the shock / strut

The fronts IIRC have a upper perch lock on them. Put something between 2 of the 3 upper strut bolts (the three that mount to the strut towers) to use as leverage and then remove the piston rod lock nut.

On the rears, again IIRC as its been a while, there is an allen head at the end or top of the piston rod. Put a box end wrench around the rod and over the locking nut. Then Place the hex / allen head into the piston rod. Then you loosen it this way.

Of course you want to loosen (or better to say break loose) both with the springs still under pressure. Then after you break them lose, compress the springs and then dissassemble.

Just dont ever score the piston rod!! Think of it as the reverse of scoring a cylinder wall...