Tuning Springs ain't what they used to be!

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Tuning Springs ain't what they used to be!

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Jun 24, 2005
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Last week, whilst moving cars around on the drive, it happened.

As I moved forward and turned the wheel to the right, I thought I had the F/O/S brake binding, but as I reversed back at approx 0.2mph ge-donk, F/O/S spring goes for a burton - thank God I wasn't negotiating a roundabout etc. Cannot recall any noise or resistance previously :confused:

OK - look on the bright side - its an excuse to lower her then.

The FKs that Dave fitted were approx £80 + delivery (bizarrely they are now down to £54 + delivery - did I miss some wild exchange rate flutuation!:D!), and Apex were around the £100 mark. PIs/SPAX/Ventura £125+. Of course being the highly popular 2.4, no b*gger this side of the channel had any in stock and various suppliers all advised best part of 2-3 weeks "to be on the safe side".

Based on experience with other cars, I wanted to go eibach, but was struggling to find a set under £220 + delivery - and again none in stock.

Whilst googling last Friday, I tracked down MW Motorsport (italo-tuning) based in Dortmund who listed the eibach pro-kit for the 2.4 for 177 euros all-in (approx £146). After a couple of email exchanges, I bit the bullet and ordered last weekend, got an email they had been shipped Tuesday pm with tracking details and they arrived today. (y)

Hopefully can get them fitted next week - will report back and add some pics.
 
It sounds like you were very lucky if you don't have a new tyre on your shopping list. Mine shredded the sidewall of a nearly new tyre - like you, only manoeuvring in a car park.
 
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Well, been sorted for a week now and really pleased with the ride - which is much firmer without crashing over bumps etc. and the car handles so much better. Some of that no doubt will be that on removal it was found that both front springs were broken! The offside had actually popped over the cup :eek: - so was very lucky the latter happened at 0.5 miles an hour reversing level on the drive. Between that and the recovery process the latter resulted in the abs sensor wiring being rogered, so offside hub also ended up being replaced to eat into the wheel refurb funds :cry:

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I think it looks much better too. The eibachs are only a 25/30mm drop - looking at Daves photos, I think it sits roughly the same as his - but does in my opinion make the 18"s look like they fill the arches properly.

Couple of quick before and afters (tried to get the car in the same position as last summer when the before was taken :D ).....

Stilts :D
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Lower :cool:
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did you have to get rear camber adjusted after? mine was well out after lowering.
its said they get a bit lower after springs settle

did you get oem hub or gm or after market and did the plug fit back in its holder? i don't know what hub mine has but wire was to short for plug to reach its holder so its rubbed in half on the cv boot, i tried joining with crimp connectors that didn't work, i'm going to try solder before a new hub
 
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Dave

I am hoping to get to the garage this Saturday morning to ask about the plug and will check this out as well.

Been busy with other issues - which (fingers crossed) seem to have been rectified by the magic wand that is a new battery.

I'll post those details up as another thread in case it helps others in future.

Bob
 
Dave, update for you:

is the plug back in its original holder on the shock?

Yes.

did they have to remove the whole swivel hub (bit bearing hub bolts too) to fit new bearing hub? haynes vectra manual says you have too :(

Had a chat with one of the mechanics at the garage this morning and although it was a few weeks ago now, from memory he is sure they didn't have to remove the whole swivel hub.


Bob
 
I think it looks much better too. The eibachs are only a 25/30mm drop - looking at Daves photos, I think it sits roughly the same as his - but does in my opinion make the 18"s look like they fill the arches properly.

What shock absorbers do you have ?

I'm thinking to buy this kit:

http://www.europerformance.co.uk/pages/products/product_info.mhtml?product=49738

My springs are ok, but the shock absorbers are leaking oil and I don't want to wait until the springs break.

What you guys think about it ?


Rob
 
That's a lot of money! I am going down the coilover route but if I was going to replace like with like, I would go with Eibach springs like Evo and then something like Monroe Reflex socks all round. I replaced the rear shocks with the Monroe items last year and they seem pretty good. It would cost you less than half that price.
 
on my previous cars I used Bilstein with gas and I was very happy with them.

Rob

Don't get me wrong, Bilsteins are excellent shocks, I just think that there are other products out there of similar quality, for a fraction of the price. If they fit your budget then they will serve you well. My Marea was fitted with a Bilstein/Eibach upgrade as a factory option and it was excellent, but I couldn't warrant spending that much on replacing them. Unfortunately I went for spax springs and they were far too soft and after a row with the MD I got my money back.
 
True, I forgot, actually was looking for some KYB as they have a good price and they have some good reviews. I have a retention when it comes to Monroe as they have a not good reputation and they have same price like KYB and only 40% cheaper then Bilstein. That's why I always went for Bilstein which were always great and lasted 2 times more than the OEM ones. The KYB`s are 244 punds/full set, Monroe have the same price, didn't found any price for Bilstein yet, but I will probably stick to KYB Excel-G. I'll keep you guys updated.
 
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