S-Techs put on, here are pics!

[Merzbow]

Finally after 4 months and 3 different ebay sellers I got my Tein S-Techs. They arrived last Wednesday. I put them on with the help of my dad and friend Alex. We had a good time lol. Only took about 3 hours. The worst part was trying to get that top bolt off the strut and also lining up all the parts of hte assembly so the springs sat how they were suposed to. Also whem I lowered down the front after both struts were finished I could not get the jack out from under the car (that's how low it is) I had to lift the front up and slide the jack out.By the way...the ride is indescribable compared to stock. There is little to no body roll and it sticks to the road like a Ferrari or pretty d*mn close. I can feel more of the cracks in the road now but the ride is alot smoother. They look beautiful. It balances the car out perfectly. I am VERY happy I finally got these things installed.The only tools broken in the process were two "large-to-small" socket adapters and a small breaker bar. They all met their ends on the first bolt holding up the left rear strut.ANYWAYS...here are the pics. I onfortunately did not take any during the install because I forgot the camera at my house and also because we were pressed for time (started at 9pm).

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[Merzbow]

second

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[Merzbow]

third

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[Merzbow]

forth

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[Merzbow]

Fifth...should have posted this first but here is a pic of everything that came with the springs.

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[4X4CHICHI]

looks great. it's about time. are you going to get new rims or stay stock?

[damronjr]

Awesome! I'm thinking some spoilers and rims and you're set! Looks great!

[Merzbow]

Thanks! Probably stay stock unless I come into more money. Since I'm living at home through college I'm saving for a house downpayment and a Ducati Monster s2r Dark. The Ducati is the reward to myself for getting my Bachelors degree. Then after my Masters I'll HOPEFULLY be able to get my house I honestly love how the stock rims look (the style I have atleast) I just wish they made them in 18's.I actually think I may get some kind of gunmetal 17's preferably ADR Visions or ADR Cyphers and also a midgate spoiler but I had to cut down on hours at work because of school so probably not for some time yet...

[damronjr]

Quote, originally posted by Merzbow »I honestly love how the stock rims look (the style I have atleast) I just wish they made them in 18's.I actually think I may get some kind of gunmetal 17's preferably ADR Visions or ADR Cyphers and also a midgate spoiloer but I had to cut down on hours at work because of school.I agree! And as for the AM combo, I think that sounds great!

[mcgusto82]

wow, the vibe really looks different with that big a drop. there's something i don't like about it though. i think it's the removed roof rack. makes the car look square on top. not matching with the rest of the car.i do agree withsome people here too. bigger rims would defenately improve the look.

[scherry2]

looks great! how long did it take you?

[Raivis]

looks good dropped. im getting mine next summer hopefully.

[Merzbow]

It was fun installing them I want rims but winter's coming up so it would be pointless now to get them. I HATE road salt with a passion. I'd rather drive on solid ice than salt.It took about 3 hours to do it. Started around 8 got done about 11-11:30 and then scrweed around and cleaned up til 12.I really got to test it today on the way to work on all the entrance and exit ramps...before I would almost be falling out of the window at about 30mph but now I can take them at 45+ and hardly feel a thing. Not that I enjoy taking exit ramps that fast but I'm just givin an example of the improvement.Now my liscense plate actually fits lol. I've been driving around with "Slammed Vibe" on back and it wasn't slammed.

[ramenboy...]

merzcar looks great! i agree with you guys the stock 16s are nice looking. but some larger rims would definitely sweeten the dropgreat job

[ragingfish]

Stupid as it sounds, I can't wait to get my s.techs OFF and get back to stock. I need that project to be done...successfully...and I'll pretty much be ready for trade in. Everything is out except for the skyfi, the radar detector, and the springs. Obviously, the first two are staying until I pull into the dealer's lot to pick up the new car. I love the look they give the car though, no denying that.

[ColonelPanic]

Quote, originally posted by ragingfish »Stupid as it sounds, I can't wait to get my s.techs OFF and get back to stock.After riding in your car in Jersey, I gotta say if I were in your shoes, I would be feeling the same way. Actually they would have been off of the car a looong time ago. Them springs make that ride just brutal, IMHO. Then again, that's why I'm one of the four or so left in the stock height club... heh

[Merzbow]

lol. I dunno if the ride is rougher or if I am waaaaay more tense trying to avoid bumps. Even before the springs I would be really careful not to drive over big cracks or rail road tracks.

[NascarXprt]

how much were they and how much is the drop?

[ragingfish]

Quote, originally posted by Merzbow »lol. I dunno if the ride is rougher or if I am waaaaay more tense trying to avoid bumps. Even before the springs I would be really careful not to drive over big cracks or rail road tracks.The ride is definitely more harsh with them on.

[Merzbow]

$135 is how much mine were. The drop is suposed to be 2.3 or something like that all around but I haven't measured it. Sounds about right though.

[ragingfish]

My last post was SO in the wrong thread!

[AKLGT]

nice job! can't wait til i can put some springs on the LGT. first will be cheap ebay STB's.

[ArcsVibe]

Welcome to the "dropped" club bro she is looking good!

[Merzbow]

Thanks I noticed that Ragingfish, but I asumed there was good reason for the advertisement (removed)...

[ZubenElGenubi]

Looks reeel goood there, Merzbow. Three guys in three hours? So, maybe I can do mine in one day...What would you say was the hardest part? What would you have done differently?

[Mavrik]

Looking nice there Paul. Though you need rims IMO... wheels look way to small now... a look I am used to on my stocks all winter hehe...

[Merzbow]

(removed)...oh yeah? Size doesn't matter it's how you use them (removed) j/k.....IM WORKIN ON SAVING FOR RIMS lol gimme some more time.I would say the first strut took the longest. Reason being that you have to figure out how it's all put togather and you have to keep re-adjusting it until you get all the bushings/sleeves/etc in the right spot. Also we forgot the loosen the top center nut becfore removing the strut like rflreese suggested to me. The reason you do this is if you try to loosen it while it's off hte car, the inner strut arm will rotate with the bolt... once we got the first one done it was a breeze....or maybe a semi-strong gust. the reason the rear took so long for us is because I broke three different sockets on the top nuts. We had to search for replacements.I was also at my dad's house. We had to search for tools in his collection whereas if we would have been at my house I know exactly where every tool is in my tool chest So in reality we spent probably like 30 minutes total just looking for tools and stuff.