Here's the deal. I've had first generation Eibachs in my car for a while. The car was low, but not slammed. I didn't like the ride quality (too stiff). So I researched and bought new springs. I was torn between H&R and ST. I went with the ST because they had a softer spring rate and dropped the car 1.5" all around. Well I got the springs installed today (professionally, I installed springs on my integra once and it took 8 hours so I decided not to do it again). Anyways the car rolled out of the garage as high as a stock Maxima. Now some people say springs are supposed to settle, but from what I'm aware of, all springs come "pre-settled". I drove 20 miles home and it's still stock high. Anyone have any clues on what's going on. Also, I have Tokico shocks installed. If anyone can give me a headsup on why I got higher with a lower spring please let me know.

Weird: My friend has a 92 MR2 and he lowered his car with ST springs and his car still looks as high as stock. However, I have a lot of friends with ST's on Integras, Accords, etc and their cars as SLAMMED. What's the deal?

 

to your eibachs they probably look a little bit higher. but i'm sure they're not as high as stock. maxima's have to large a wheel gap and so will never really look slammed unless you got coilovers...but remember the lower you go the less comfortable the ride is.

 

No it's not a 1.3" drop, trust me. It's exactly like stock. No more than 1/2" lower than stock. I parked next to another 97SE.

 

Here are some pics I just took:

Before:






Trust me if I got a stock Maxima picture you'd have a hard time telling which is which.

[Edited by BrianV on 12-29-2000 at 01:36 AM]

 

get bigger rims hehe...17" looks tight..i have ST and i got no problem with it....

 

Uhh yeah it's lowered a little, but the Eibachs on the top are 1.25" drop and the ST's are supposed to be 1.5" and there's a good 3/4" difference between the ST and Eibach (eibach being lower).

Also this is according to ProgresS:

Q8 Will my springs "settle in" (wear in or drop a little more) after a while?

A8 No. Anybody that tells you "their brand" of springs need to "settle in" is really saying one of two things: 1) Their springs aren’t pre-set (sometimes called blocking or pre-stressing), which, while saving the manufacturer money, gives you a less durable product and inconsistent ride height, or 2) They just want to get you off the phone. Where you might see some settling is on NEW vehicles. This happens because the rubber suspension bushings tend to settle after a period of time, NOT because the springs have settled.

So now I don't know what to do, I feel I waste a lot of money.

 

My Eibachs/Tokicos "settled" a bit. By about 1/2" maybe. Give it about a week. 20 miles is not really enough. Almost every car I have lowered(alot) has settled at least a little.

 

Hmm my integra when i lowered it off the jackstands it was like, "DAMN"

Well I've driven about 75 miles now and I think it's settled another 1/8". An absolute Maxima enthusiast can tell someone did a lame attempt at lowering this Maxima, but it is lowered. To the naked eye it looks bone stock. Also since it's been raised I've noticed how much dirt is caked on my fenderwells, something I could never notice before.

 

well, I like it. I was just looking at old pics if my stock max and yours definety looks lower. How is the ride compared to the eibachs? I was told ST were stiffer than H&R and were not progressive. I think my H&R's could be a bit higher (looks like yours w/ eibachs) and the ride a little better, but I guess that is the price you pay for better performance. If you are happy with them otherwise, throw some 17's on there and I think it will be perfect.

 

maxspeed5 I think you got it backwards. The pictures where my car is HIGH is the ST, the ones where it is somewhat low is of the Eibachs.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by BrianV
[I]Here's the deal. I've had first generation Eibachs in my car for a while. The car was low, but not slammed.

If you wanted a slammed ride(or close) why didn't u think about Intrax or Sprint or Ground Control Coilovers? These are relatively the same price, within $100 of eachother, and would have been a better choice in slammin a max...

 

I've got ST springs on my 96 Maxima and mine did the same thing. The installer looked at my car after install and asked if they were lowering springs or just handling springs. The car will get lower and lower as time goes on. It took a good month for the springs to finally settle. They settle a lot during the first week and then slowly drop. I've got a good 1.6-1.7" drop. You won't be disappointed.

Dave

 

Brian's car is tight

 

Dave B is the only person who brought a smile to my face today. Not even my date could do that tonight.

Also, I definately don't want a slammed ride, I just want the fenderwell gap smaller and the ride better than Eibach. i was basically looking for something that gave me near the same height of the Eibachs but a smoother ride and more even look. I thought the ST's were gonna do the trick the best.

I'll hold out and see if Dave is right!

 

is ST suspension techniques...it does seem ST is a bit higher

 

The car sits lower than stock. You don't have the pictures marked, as to which springs are in which pictures, but the car is lower than stock in all of them. The best way to eyeball height is not fender gap, but where the line of the top of the rocker panel intersects the wheel. On a stock car, when new, the line goes through the center of the wheel. In all your pics, it's below, so it's lower.

 

Yeah it may be a slight bit lower, but definately not 1.25 or 1.5" lower.

BTW the the pictures where the car is HIGHER is of the ST's (Suspension Techniques) and the pictures where it is LOWER is with the Eibachs.

The ST car has clear taillights the Eibach car has orange

 

Hmm it has come down ever so slightly. However, it's no where compared to how the Eibachs were. Since the pics I took yesterday it may have come down an 1/8"-1/4" or so. I sure hope it comes down more.

 

hiya! it takes about 2 weeks to a month for the springs to drop! =\ i had the same problem with mine set, but man...after a month hehe...as the other guy said..u won't be disappointed guy!! the ride is better than eibach and it's low ^_^ so just give it a little time hehe...

 

I never liked the stock off-road package that Nissan had on the Max. You figure that the SE trim would at least have a tire clearance that matched the moniker. I replaced the springs with Eibach's and the ride height looked normal. However, the SE tuned struts and shocks did not match the Eibach spring rates. The car actually felt more floaty at 85+ mph. It is a good thing you have upgraded shocks.
Personally, I prefer the H&R springs and should have went with those along with Koni adjustables.
It's very likely your struts and shocks raised the ride height. Bilsteins are notorious for actually increasing ride height so getting springs that drop the car 1.2 to 1.3" will actually give you stock ride height. You'd have to get sportline springs that drop the car 2" to match those Bilsteins. The Bilsteins are great shocks and struts. They do give the car more control. Their damping rates have a magic formula to them. Unfortunately they are not adjustable unless you go for the H&R/Bilstein coilovers. H&R has European Group N racing coilovers with three sets of springs with different rates but that's a bit overboard.

My $0.02

Ed Tang
x-98 SuperBlack Maxima SE 5sp
Stillen SS, FSTB, RSB, intake.

 

You should have just stayed with the Eibach's though. The springs you have now, look about as low as the Eibach drop, and don't even handle as well.

I told you not to switch!

 

etang: I have Tokico not Bilstein

TJ: It's not as low, but the ride is BOMB as hell. It's confident in the corners but luxury smooth.

 

hey....i had eibach..dang..it's so harsh!!! but with ST the ride is much smoother and it handles well too!

 

i would like to know if ST springs are progressive rate like H&Rs or Eibachs. i know that the ST springs are smoother and very cheap compared to the competition. i have a GXE, so what will the ride feel like with ST/koni vs ST/stock struts? what about Sprint springs? has anyone heard anything about their new line?

 

VQDriver: hehe...i like it..the ride is much smoother!!! i just ordered mine Sprint....it's going to be HARSH!! but for the look i don't care? hehe..so i am getting rid of the ST.....if you want them..mail me...i'll give u a good price on it thanx!