5th Gen Suspension Thread - Page 9

SLPMAXDuP · 04-22-2008, 10:47 PM

what should I do first, shocks and springs or fstb and sway bar?

*sublime258* · 04-23-2008, 03:08 PM

I ordered Illuminas and H&R springs last week and they should be arriving tomorrow. Just wondering if people recommend having them installed at a garage or if I should try doing it myself. I don't know of any garages that specialize in suspension around me (Harrisburg/Carlisle, PA area). I have read the directions at http://www.innerbean.com/housecor/strut_install.html and I think I'm capable of doing this, if I can get ahold of some spring compressors. I like to try to do things on my own for learning purposes, but I'm just not sure if this is one of those things I want to try. Basically I just want to know if people have done this themselves or left it up to a garage. Or, if any people know of a good place to have it done in my area, that would be even better! Thanks for any input.

*DrKlop* · 04-23-2008, 05:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sublime258

I ordered Illuminas and H&R springs last week and they should be arriving tomorrow. Just wondering if people recommend having them installed at a garage or if I should try doing it myself. I don't know of any garages that specialize in suspension around me (Harrisburg/Carlisle, PA area). I have read the directions at http://www.innerbean.com/housecor/strut_install.html and I think I'm capable of doing this, if I can get ahold of some spring compressors. I like to try to do things on my own for learning purposes, but I'm just not sure if this is one of those things I want to try. Basically I just want to know if people have done this themselves or left it up to a garage. Or, if any people know of a good place to have it done in my area, that would be even better! Thanks for any input.

Do you have the time to do it yourself? (first time it might take as many as 3 days.)

Are you willing to try doing it yourself?

If you answered yes to both of these questions you can and should do it yourself.

papo99 · 04-23-2008, 06:37 PM

3 days is a long time i do front and rear in about 3 to 4 hours taking my time

*VQuick* · 04-23-2008, 08:43 PM

Suspension is relatively easy and fun. Rusty bolts is the only annoying thing.

*sublime258* · 04-24-2008, 12:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DrKlop

Do you have the time to do it yourself? (first time it might take as many as 3 days.)

Are you willing to try doing it yourself?

If you answered yes to both of these questions you can and should do it yourself.

Well, if it takes 3 days to do it myself, then no I don't have time because I have to drive to work. But I think I could handle an all-day job on one of my days off. I am definitely more than willing to do it...I take pride in knowing that I did something on my own. So I guess that is a yes to both of your questions. PLUS I found out that one of my friend's dad has spring compressors that I can borrow. So...looks like I am doing it myself on the next day I have off when the weather's good!

*sublime258* · 04-27-2008, 10:43 PM

One more question. I know it's probably a good idea to put in new strut mounts with the new shocks and struts, but is it something that's necessary?

'02_EMILBUS · 04-29-2008, 02:36 PM

NOt necessary but a good idea if they are bad. How many miles are on the car?

And where in central PA are you?? this can be done in 1 day, not 3.
AutoZone or any place like that will also lend you spring compressors.

*DrKlop* · 04-29-2008, 07:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by '02_EMILBUS

this can be done in 1 day, not 3.

Sure it can be done in one day... just don't start doing it on Sanday if you have a business meeting on Monday morning that you have to drive to.

*sublime258* · 04-29-2008, 08:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by '02_EMILBUS

NOt necessary but a good idea if they are bad. How many miles are on the car?

And where in central PA are you?? this can be done in 1 day, not 3.
AutoZone or any place like that will also lend you spring compressors.

It has 71,000 on it...I'm probably not going to order new strut bearings. My friend's dad is going to let me borrow his spring compressors. Now I just need to find a day to do this...

*DrKlop* · 04-29-2008, 10:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sublime258

It has 71,000 on it...I'm probably not going to order new strut bearings. My friend's dad is going to let me borrow his spring compressors. Now I just need to find a day to do this...

Actually, it's probably a good idea to change strut bearings. Those plastic things are something like $10 a piece (if not less) so might as well change them while you are at it.

But I'd leave the mounts alone, if they are in a good condition.

'02_EMILBUS · 04-30-2008, 03:40 PM

where in central PA are you Sublime??
I'm in n.central PA and could lend a hand if you're uncomfortable doing this. If it is a day that im available and within reasonable distance...

*sublime258* · 05-08-2008, 01:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by '02_EMILBUS

where in central PA are you Sublime??
I'm in n.central PA and could lend a hand if you're uncomfortable doing this. If it is a day that im available and within reasonable distance...

Sent you a PM.

Drockb418 · 05-08-2008, 01:40 PM

took me 2 hours with my friend helping a impact gun helps a lot!

*atlridin* · 05-10-2008, 11:03 AM

http://www.importrp.com/product.php?...6&cat=0&page=1

Tokico HP Advanced Handling Suspension Kit
I have always heard pretty good things about the Tokico Blues. But, don't know about the springs. The kit seems like a pretty good price at 450.00 for all 4 struts and springs. I have also looked at the KYB GR2 and Voglant for the same price.

My #1 would be a used set of Eibachs/w Tokico Illuminas used, but are hard to find and can't afford new.

maximumobsesion · 05-15-2008, 06:02 AM

then wait till you can i mean its only about what another 200 its worth the wait. susp is to important to be cheap about. i tried that and my car spent more time in the driveway because i hated driving it. (k-sports and maxspeeds) best set up imo so far have been h&rs eibachs and top dog the tein coilovers.

babyboyws6 · 05-16-2008, 07:09 PM

i know some people cut the bump stops on the illuminas when you got the low drop with the progress and the s-techz... is that the same with the tokico blue "hp"s because i want to run s-techs or progress and many people had this issue...

need some clarity

*sublime258* · 05-29-2008, 01:04 AM

Well I finally installed my Illuminas and H&Rs today. As most people say, it's not that hard, most of the time is just compressing and decompressing springs. This was an all day job for me...definitely not a few hours. I bought an electric impact wrench yesterday and am so glad I did because I can't imagine trying to do this job without it. Definitely would have taken twice as long compressing/decompressing the springs, and it certainly came in handy on a few stubborn nuts.

The first strut/spring I replaced was the front right. Got it all done and installed back on car and put the wheel back on...only to realize I forgot to put that thin piece of red plastic on top of the top had before re-installing the strut (sorry I don't know the technical word for this). So I said screw it and figured it wouldn't make any difference. I was wrong. After taking the car for a test drive after getting all 4 replaced...it didn't take long before I heard a squeaking sound coming from the front right. All the others sounded fine...and I remembered to put the red things back on top of them. So I will be getting up early before work tomorrow to remove the front strut again and get this thing put on

. In other words, don't do what I did...make sure you do it right the first time!

*Jess* · 05-29-2008, 01:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by babyboyws6

i know some people cut the bump stops on the illuminas when you got the low drop with the progress and the s-techz... is that the same with the tokico blue "hp"s because i want to run s-techs or progress and many people had this issue...

need some clarity

Yes you should still cut the bump stops with the tok blues.

Sublime wow I wouldn't of thought the red plastic rings would have made a diffrence either. I thought they were there just to let you know what setting you are at.

But you're right. Do it right once or do it over twice lol

*sublime258* · 05-29-2008, 11:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jess

Sublime wow I wouldn't of thought the red plastic rings would have made a diffrence either. I thought they were there just to let you know what setting you are at.

But you're right. Do it right once or do it over twice lol

I'm not talking about the 5-way adjuster on the Illuminas, I'm talking about that red ring thing that goes between the metal of your strut tower and the strut itself. It is like the thickness of paper but it's plastic. But about that...I ended up taking off the front right this morning, and realized that it was actually the front left that I forgot to put it back on

. So I put everything back on...and it doesn't seem to be making the noise anymore...so I'm happy for now.

maximo018 · 05-30-2008, 11:42 PM

Check out what I had done today. Got to loosen up the dampeners cuz she bounces a bit much on the slightest bump.

*zgendron* · 06-06-2008, 07:54 AM

Hey Guys,

I've been reading alot about the different suspension setups and was hoping to get a little advice specific to my needs.

My car is going to be a daily driver, but I'm certainly looking for a stiffer ride than the OEM at 60K is offering me. I'm an enthusiastic driver too.

I'm interested in the H&R and Illumina setup, but honestly won't be adjusting these struts very often, if ever after I find the right settings.

For someone not looking to adjust the struts, what would you recommend? Would you still get the Illumina's since these are adjustable and can match them up with your springs.

Maybe a better question for those of you with Illumina's, How often do you adjust these? Do you pretty much dial them in and leave them alone? I've never owned adjustable struts before. Any issues with longevity over other options?

Thanks,
- Zack

*DrKlop* · 06-10-2008, 10:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zgendron

Hey Guys,

I've been reading alot about the different suspension setups and was hoping to get a little advice specific to my needs.

My car is going to be a daily driver, but I'm certainly looking for a stiffer ride than the OEM at 60K is offering me. I'm an enthusiastic driver too.

I'm interested in the H&R and Illumina setup, but honestly won't be adjusting these struts very often, if ever after I find the right settings.

For someone not looking to adjust the struts, what would you recommend? Would you still get the Illumina's since these are adjustable and can match them up with your springs.

Maybe a better question for those of you with Illumina's, How often do you adjust these? Do you pretty much dial them in and leave them alone? I've never owned adjustable struts before. Any issues with longevity over other options?

Thanks,
- Zack

You said it yourself "after I find the right setting"

You are not paying for adjustable shocks when you are getting illuminas. You are paying for the fact that you will be able to set up those shocks correctly.

Besides, Illuminas are probably the highest quality shocks available to us...

*sciff5* · 06-10-2008, 10:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DrKlop

You said it yourself "after I find the right s