Ok. So... i checked the stickies and also vqpower.com and haven't figured it out. I'm planning on buying some Tokico Illuminas and Eibach springs for my first suspension mod. I'd love to install them myself, but have no clue about how to do it. Can someone help me or direct me to a post/website with instructions? motorvate's instructions confuze me cuz i don't think the dude speaks very good english or something, but haven't looked there yet. Anyone have any feedback on springs/struts combinations too? thanks guys!

 

i was once in your same position. i really wanted to install illuminas and s-techs myself. i ordered and after i received them, i went to work that weekend on installing them. it really is pretty straightforward. I was able to use the stickies installation directions and had no problems.

basically:

Jack up the front
remove wheels
remove bolts from strut and control arm (support arm with bricks or the like)
remove three bolts from top of strut in engine bay
remove entire strut/spring assembly
compress spring
loosen center bolt of strut
remove and set aside whatever you will need for new assembly (basically everything except old strut and spring)
reassemble strut assembly of new strut and spring and verious used parts from old assembly
tighten center bolt to torque specs
install into car
tighten top three nuts to torque
position control arm and tighten bottom two bolts
repeat X 3

this is very general. you should probably get a Haynes and just clarify yourself with the assembly and the installation instructions from the stickies. it's hard to walk you through it, but if you have a specific question, that is easier to help.

good luck, and it is definitely do-able. it is basically just a bolt-on. nothin too bad. many say that it is a lot easier with two people, but not necessary. i did have my dad help me to lineup the bolts in the engine bay but basically, it can be done completely by one person.

good luck!

(and nice to see a newbie not askin for advice on $0.01 + shipping coilovers from ebay or just looking for springs. you got the right idea to buy both springs and struts at the same time )

 

Thanks man, oh yeah, about 'compressing the spring', i heard u need a spring compressor. are these expensive/where to buy one?

 

rent it from auto store

 

yeah, you can usually rent one from an auto store and just give them a down-payment/deposit. then when you are done, you just return it and get your money back. or you can buy one if you plan to do a lot of suspension work. ~$50 or so.

 

Check the 5th gen stickys, there are a few nice write-ups. It's the same procedure or is essentially the same... Buy a haynes manual or something similar to help you along thw way.

rent a spring compressor...

 

h&r's over the eibachs.. same drop but only 30% stiffer as opposed to 50%

 

before I knew you could rent spring compressors, I got one for e $16 shipped from habor freight. They still have it at that price

 

Also, be sure to budget 4 to 5 hours for your first time. And an extra 2 if you accidently pull the front axle out and bend the retaining ring while rotating the rotor out of the way.

 

Sounds like someone's speaking from experience NetFurie. -Sloppy

 

Nah Stick with the Eibachs, just make sure they are the Pro's, I have the same combo and luv 'em. They are not harsh at all, hey I'm an old dude I don't like harsh!