Shark
04-14-2003, 07:39 PM
Two weeks ago, I spent an entire weekend replacing the springs on my 2002 Si with an Eibach Pro Kit. After spending hundreds on tools and breaking two spring compressors, here are the results:
Before:
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid60/pb22bb7bede4630b96845c1ce510978f7/fc562ab5.jpg
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid60/pd7a7a378bae71a45194940e05e2a5584/fc562abc.jpg
After:
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid60/p8fe23ab0d8837e6d455d1fd0a575ca01/fc56276d.jpg
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid60/p2d19612eac9b9e46a3e6a3ef12c46d81/fc56276c.jpg
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid60/p609516c25f8741974a6a92a3b035b075/fc561758.jpg
I'm 99% satisfied with the results. The handling is terrific. I never knew FWD could handle so well. I've put the suspension through its paces with no ill effects or bottoming-out. The only problem that I sometimes experience is a slight squeaking in cold, damp weather when I turn the steering wheel to either extreme. I'm not sure what's causing this, but it goes away when it is warm and dry.
Having not done this before, I didn't know what to expect. I bought the Helm manual, spring compressors, metric open-end wrenches, 250 ft/lb torque wrench, tie-rod separator and a few other things. I didn't really run into any snags, but have the following comments:
[list=1]
In my opinion, the plastic damper mounting bearing between the damper mounting base and upper spring seat seems a little cheap to me. I've never worked on a strut before, but you would think that the part would be made of metal. I did remove the thin stock grease and reapplied thicker all purpose grease.
In the front, the Eibach Pro Kit spring doesn't seem to fit as nicely in the upper spring mounting cushion as the stock spring. This seems to make the bump stop rub against the cushion unnecessarily.
The tie rod separated easily from the ball-joint using the tool.
The Eibach springs came with new bump stops for the rear. I couldn't figure out how to remove the stock bump stops so I left them on.
I couldn't torque the self-locking nut on top of the dampers for obvious reasons. How tight should these be?
I stared at the rear for quite some time and couldn't figure out why it's considered double-wishbone.
[/list=1]
I'm running 205/40/17's. When these wear out, I'll probably go with 205/45/17's which will further diminish the wheel gap. In my opinion, when a vehicle is properly lowered the gap should be the same surrounding the wheel. The Eibach Pro Kit accomplishes that goal perfectly.
This mod is highly recommended. It's not difficult at all provided that you have the required tools AND a Helm manual. Time consuming, but not difficult.
Before:
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid60/pb22bb7bede4630b96845c1ce510978f7/fc562ab5.jpg
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid60/pd7a7a378bae71a45194940e05e2a5584/fc562abc.jpg
After:
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid60/p8fe23ab0d8837e6d455d1fd0a575ca01/fc56276d.jpg
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid60/p2d19612eac9b9e46a3e6a3ef12c46d81/fc56276c.jpg
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid60/p609516c25f8741974a6a92a3b035b075/fc561758.jpg
I'm 99% satisfied with the results. The handling is terrific. I never knew FWD could handle so well. I've put the suspension through its paces with no ill effects or bottoming-out. The only problem that I sometimes experience is a slight squeaking in cold, damp weather when I turn the steering wheel to either extreme. I'm not sure what's causing this, but it goes away when it is warm and dry.
Having not done this before, I didn't know what to expect. I bought the Helm manual, spring compressors, metric open-end wrenches, 250 ft/lb torque wrench, tie-rod separator and a few other things. I didn't really run into any snags, but have the following comments:
[list=1]
In my opinion, the plastic damper mounting bearing between the damper mounting base and upper spring seat seems a little cheap to me. I've never worked on a strut before, but you would think that the part would be made of metal. I did remove the thin stock grease and reapplied thicker all purpose grease.
In the front, the Eibach Pro Kit spring doesn't seem to fit as nicely in the upper spring mounting cushion as the stock spring. This seems to make the bump stop rub against the cushion unnecessarily.
The tie rod separated easily from the ball-joint using the tool.
The Eibach springs came with new bump stops for the rear. I couldn't figure out how to remove the stock bump stops so I left them on.
I couldn't torque the self-locking nut on top of the dampers for obvious reasons. How tight should these be?
I stared at the rear for quite some time and couldn't figure out why it's considered double-wishbone.
[/list=1]
I'm running 205/40/17's. When these wear out, I'll probably go with 205/45/17's which will further diminish the wheel gap. In my opinion, when a vehicle is properly lowered the gap should be the same surrounding the wheel. The Eibach Pro Kit accomplishes that goal perfectly.
This mod is highly recommended. It's not difficult at all provided that you have the required tools AND a Helm manual. Time consuming, but not difficult.