I noticed that my tires are not the same size as factory. They are 235/50/18 and my guess is the dealer used this size because of the after market wheels.

My question to ya'll is can or should I just lower the front to remove the GAP?

Any suggestions on how to do this? I read a few threads, but I am still unsure of the best way to accomplish this.

Here is the rear: Hard to see, but there is only about 1/2 inch from tire to fender.


Now for the GAP:


Thank you for any suggestions!

 

The tires the dealer put on your car are skinnier and taller than what comes stock (245-45-18 is the factory size tire for an SE), but that size is not enuff to mess anything up too bad (your speedo will run a little more than 1 mph slower at 60 mph).

To take the gap out of the front, you will need to install lowering springs. I have had good luck with the Eibach Pro Kit springs. The kit comes with both the front and back springs, so you would be paying for the full set. I don't think anybody sells springs just for the front.

 

Thank you for the info... Who would you reccomend for purchasing?

 

I use to have Progress springs on my Galant but it gave me a "bouncy" ride....I hear Eibach are the best....do you get that "bouncy" feeling when driving?

 

Naw...don't get new springs...just take a hack saw and cut a coil out. Ghetto style yo!!!

 

I bought my springs from Southwest Auto Works. Go here:

http://www.sportcompactonly.com/cate...s.asp?catid=29

You can buy Eibachs from other places, maybe cheaper. Shop around.

The ride in my car is not "bouncy", but it is "very firm"!

 

First of all, you cannot cut your springs with a hack saw, you would need to use a torch or a "hot" saw (abrasive cut-off wheel). Spring steel is harder and tougher than a hack saw blade.

Second, cutting the springs is something a high school kid with a Honda Accord and no money would do. If you can afford a $30,000 car, you can afford to spend a couple hundred bucks and do it right!

 

lol I'm kidding. I forgot to put the winking smiley in there.

I did however successfully cut the springs on an 87 VW Scirocco with a dremel tool. Worked real good for four or five years till I sold it.

CM.

 

Like this?!?!

 

I'm happy with my Eibach's as well.
I do wish they we're just a hair lower in the front though!!!

 

I kinda thought your tongue was in your cheek when you wrote that!

The scary thing is, I read another post where somebody suggested the same thing a couple of days ago. Was that you, ****?

 

I kid you not about the VW. It worked really really well too.

Nope, I don't think it was me that posted that a couple days ago. Though I have been tripping on some Percaset for back pain so anything is possible.

Do be aware that droping your 04-05 may lead to lowered life expectancy of the front struts. Some people have had early failures of the OEM struts. I believe there is on company out there making (custom?) struts for the 04-05's.

 

go to www.activetuning.com they make custom koni front and kyb agx shocks for the back.

 

Yeah....I've actually heard of people doing that...some folks did that to their Galants in the club I was in......but the car bounced around like crazy.......I'd rather just spend the loot and get it done right the first time.....and don't be cheap about it....

 

Yeah there's a reason it can work with some old POS cars. They usually don't have progressive springs. The spring rate is constant from one end to the other. Newer springs have a progressive rate. You can see that the coils get closer together near each end of the spring. There's no way that cutting the coils on a progressive spring would really be a good idea.

 

If you was to cut your springs, the coils would probably not stay on the strut spring plate(lower section) due to the shape of the springs.

 

Do any of you guys that have the Eibach's on the front have ground clearance problems? What is the measurement from the front crossmember to the ground?
Just curious as I would also like to install the Eibach springs to get the look, but not if it screws up the cars drivability. Anyone ever look into air suspensions for the '04/05 Max?

 

Only if I go in and out of my driveway fast, but its only scraping the plastic lip. Parking over curbs is also a no-no.

 

Eibach's will get you with in a 1'in of the top of a 20" tire . I have cut 1 turn from these lowering springs and now the front and rear match ride heights ( down to 1/4 from tire ). If you do cut the Eibach's you can not cut more than this. The ride of course is not going to be like stock but it is bareable not regrets. But you will want to put the lowering struts on after they hit the market.