Installed H&R's on my 2k2!
 

I got tired of waiting for a GD on springs and broke down and bought H&R's, $229.00. I was going to have Carboy in Houston install them today, but decided to do it myself. I printed out some tips of the org, rented the spring compressors and went at it. 6 hours later...Frickin awesome! Other than an hour to remove my d@mn stereo stuff in the trunk to access the rear bolts, it was relatively easy. I kept my stock shocks/struts.

Unbelievable improvement in handling. The looks are alot better...a tiny bit lower in the front would be great but it looks good.

If anyone is contemplating the spring upgrade...Do it. It is the best money I've spent so far on my ride. (Sorry so long)

Don't forget to get yourself an alignment done right away.

i thought you should wait a few weeks intil the springs settle before getting an alignment?

that's tru

put some pics up

i'm looking forward to seeing it and checking out the handling, i just might get some too

Get some pics up Eric! I can't wait to get my springs :)

how is the ride compared to stock? Less suspension travel create any problems?

Suspension travel should be ok if the bump stops were trimmed down as recommended.

What makes you think you need to get an alignment done? I aint had one in over 7k miles and my tire wear is as even as it can be.

Dixit

Is your steering wheel centered when going straight? Mine is slightly turned to the left. I also have not done an alignment after dropping my car.

Yeap drives straight to me, No problems.

Dixit

Yeah, but is your steering wheel straight when the car is going straight. My car drives straight with no problem but the steering wheel is tilted to the left by maybe 5 degrees.

Yeah It is off like 3degrees, but I thought that was because I hit a rack of potholes in DC one night. So I cant say for sure.

Dixit

Yes, I would like to see some pics of these since I heard the Eibachs are a little stiff and these are smoother.

Here is a pic...

http://www.cardomain.com/member_page...=179115&page=2

I did not trim the bumper stops. But I have not noticed any bottoming. The ride is slightly stiffer than stock, but handles much better. My wife hated driving with me before the springs, now I throw her against the door or center console on ever turn! I will wait a couple of weeks and do the alignment...Thanks for the tips.

Looks good. Should settle down a bit more in the next few days. If i'm not mistaken the stiffer springs should also help make your launches better. :)

So, you saying you're throwing your wife all over the place with those springs then?

Looks good, they should come that way from the factory.

I'm guessing you mean the car should come that way stock...and I agree.

Re: Installed H&R's on my 2k2!
 

I agree with everything you said. I had my '02 springs done back in December and my only complaint is that the front end could/should have come down a bit more.

I had my alignment done immediately after installation and was told there was only a small change required. From what I've been able to tell (using a tape measure) there really hasn't been any settling going on.

Re: Re: Installed H&R's on my 2k2!
 

Did they trim your bumper stops? Any problems at all? Some have recommended the trimming of the stops...I didn't do it.

What's this about having to trim the bumper stops?

Do you need a camber kit or other mods to keep the tire wear even after you lower the car?

I wouldnt worry about that.. start worring when your dropping with coilovers.

Re: Re: Re: Installed H&R's on my 2k2!
 

Yep they did trim the bump stops. No problems what-so-ever.

These springs combined with a RSB and FSTB (well I don't know exactly how much the FSTB contributes) make this car's handling SOOOO much better and predictable I just love it. When really pushing it the thing will actually oversteer slightly which I personally love.

The bump stop is a rubber donut that is used to keep the shock/strut from bottoming out. If the car is lowered and the bump stop is not trim, then the bump stop will go to work too early and really give you a good *** kicking when going over potholes or large bumps. When I had the 96 and dropped it with H&Rs, I think the shop didn't trim it and the ride was crappy when the road got rough. This time around, I installed the springs myself and trimmed the bumpstop and the ride is fine :)

Well I did not trim the stops. So, I guess we will see. So far so good, but no real hard hits yet either. But I do love the feel. I can push the car hard into corners that would previously force pitch and roll.

Eric, how does launching feel now? Given you have stiffer springs and a lower CofG does the car still rock front-back when accelerating and braking?

Hardly any dive at all when braking and the front does not come up nearly as much on accelerating.

Sounds good to me!

me springs are arriving today per UPS's tracker :)

Good spring shouldn't "settle", but you do need to give your suspension a few weeks to adjust. Many people say that their alignment was fine after the spring install which may or may not be true. I thought my alignment was fine after adding ST springs (~1.6" drop). My car tracked straight and I thought all was well. 3 months later I decided to get my alignment checked and it turned out my toe was wildly off (toe out). I got it adjusted and my on-center steering and intial turn-in was MUCH better. I installed Intrax springs a few months ago and got my alignment down and once again, the toe was off (toe out). That's just my experience.

Dave

It's like my cheap Tamiya Hornet, when I push the front suspension down, it naturally cause toe out. My Losi and my RC10 doesn't do that though (because it's a double wishbone suspension) :) I'm sure cars with multi link front suspensions wouldn't have the toe out issue.