Suspension Upgrade

[VibeN5]

What's up! I wanted to ask those of you who had their Vibes lowered what was involved with the process. I've heard that lowering springs require new shocks, extra equipment to modify the suspension as well as realignment. Do the springs/kits out there from Eibach, for instance, include all of the necessary equipment to make this modification work or do you have to do a lot of foot work to find what you need? I'd like to lower my base Vibe and keep my 16 in. rims and tires, but decrease the space in the wheel wells. Thanks for any info any of you can share!

[keithvibe]

you can use your stock struts till they blow out.You will need a spring compressor, which you can rent from any auto parts store for about 40bucks, and return it when you are done.You will also need to cut your bump stops to alow the strut more travel.You will need basic hand tools to get the job done, although air tools make the job easier.You will also need a four wheel alinement done to the car about a week after the install. This is done this way so it gives the springs time to settle, so you can get the correct alinement.

[VibeN5]

So all you need to get are the springs and keep the stock struts? How long do the struts last before they do "blow out"? Also, won't there be some negative camber due to the lowered height or will a simple alignment take care of this? Thanks!

[scherry2]

been lowered since dec 2002. still running stock shocks and struts. I have my alignment checked every year and no problems so far.

[mac99d]

Man, just take a torch to the springs until you get the desired height you want. You don’t have to buy anything if your friend has a torch. No really don’t do this I am just playing. lol

[northvibe]

I had hotchkis and they came with new bump stops so i could keep the originals and not cut them

[keithvibe]

Quote, originally posted by VibeN5 »So all you need to get are the springs and keep the stock struts? How long do the struts last before they do "blow out"? Also, won't there be some negative camber due to the lowered height or will a simple alignment take care of this? Thanks!yes all you need are springsEveryone is different on length of life, all depends on how you drive and your road conditions.Yes there will be negative camber, See my last recomendation....4wheel alinementYou may need camber bolts or if your good you can oblong your top mount hole on the front struts to alow for camber adjustment. For the rears shims.

[VibeN5]

How severe is the neg camber? Will tire life be significantly impacted or not so much? Does anyone sell the camber bolts and rear shims for our Vibes?

[keithvibe]

1) not much 2) some would say not enough to worry about3) yes, a simple search will yeild what you are looking for.