Hotchkis springs installed!

rasermon · Post by **rasermon** » Sun Aug 10, 2003 4:31 am

I took the time this Saturday to install my springs. Thanks to silverawd26 and cohocarl for stopping by to help. I took my time on the first strut, because I wasn't sure what the hell I was doing. After that the other three went fast and easy.

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rasermon · Post by **rasermon** » Sun Aug 10, 2003 4:36 am

pic No. 2

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rasermon · Post by **rasermon** » Sun Aug 10, 2003 4:38 am

Pic No. 3

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rasermon · Post by **rasermon** » Sun Aug 10, 2003 4:45 am

Strut assembly with Hotchkis spring.

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dmitri · Post by **dmitri** » Sun Aug 10, 2003 6:51 am

looks good

ShotInTheDark · Post by **ShotInTheDark** » Sun Aug 10, 2003 7:04 am

thought I was the only one that bought those moslon canadian Keg cans LOL!

Geo · Post by **Geo** » Sun Aug 10, 2003 9:02 am

oooo ... I am in love.Yes, springs come next. They have to ... I need lowered.I wonder if I can do it before the Ohio meet

ragingfish · Post by **ragingfish** » Sun Aug 10, 2003 9:37 am

Perhaps at the Ohio meet? I mean, we'll be AT a car dealer, maybe they'd let you use their spring compressor? Or at least you could rent one in the area at an Autozone and return it when you're done? And if something break, now need to tow!

Flip-Side · Post by **Flip-Side** » Sun Aug 10, 2003 10:43 am

Looks great man. Bet she handles like a whole new animal now.

rasermon · Post by **rasermon** » Sun Aug 10, 2003 10:51 am

quote:Looks great man. Bet she handles like a whole new animal now. You bet! You would think that the vibe GT should come that way "stock" from the Assembly line.

VibeSalsa · Post by **VibeSalsa** » Sun Aug 10, 2003 10:55 am

The last time I saw this can was on the side of rasermon's pool...

Vibe · Post by **Vibe** » Sun Aug 10, 2003 10:57 am

It appears to be sitting lower,am I correct? But it sure looks sweet!!Glad everything went well-I konw that Cococarl & Silverawd must of been a big help.Now I'm sure that you are going to take it in for a 4 wheel alignment after having every thing apart--I would recommend that highly!Again looks sweet and thank for posting pictures. Gosh-What a great website and most of all a great bunch of people.James (Vibe)

rasermon · Post by **rasermon** » Sun Aug 10, 2003 11:06 am

quote:The last time I saw this can was on the side of rasermon's pool... Good memory VibeSalsa!They do make good flotation devices for the pool, also a great spindle support. Vibequote:Now I'm sure that you are going to take it in for a 4 wheel alignment after having every thing apart--I would recommend that highly! Thanks James. Tomorrow going to make some phone calls to get my wheel alignment checked.

scherry2 · Post by **scherry2** » Sun Aug 10, 2003 11:21 am

that looks so cool!!!! my next project???

VibeSalsa · Post by **VibeSalsa** » Sun Aug 10, 2003 11:24 am

I forgot to say that your Vibe is great looking with these spings! Good job!!!

ragingfish · Post by **ragingfish** » Sun Aug 10, 2003 12:23 pm

MANY dealers have service departments open on weekends. Especially the larger ones.That aside, it would be a good group project. I'd watch and help out so I could learn how it's done...and just learn more about the car...hence the reason I'm recruiting help with the install of those mirror signals...

Vibe · Post by **Vibe** » Sun Aug 10, 2003 12:25 pm

Yep-BELIEVE ME--After disturbing ever thing you will be surprised at how much your alignment will be off. Get it done ASAP!!! James

ragingfish · Post by **ragingfish** » Sun Aug 10, 2003 12:41 pm

quote:For oil changes, that is about it....Not at all. My friend says there's a dealer in Delaware that's open weekends from 10 AM to 4 PM for ALL service...And I saw one in NJ too, but I can't remember where it is...They're out there. Certainly not common, but they're out there...

ragingfish · Post by **ragingfish** » Sun Aug 10, 2003 12:43 pm

quote:Ofcourse, we do have a Ford Dealer here where the service is open 24 hours a day from Monday-Friday, but cloes saturday.. WOW!Now THAT'S unheard of!It would be nice at 2:30 AM to say, "hey, i can't sleep, maybe i should go get my oil changed..."

ragingfish · Post by **ragingfish** » Sun Aug 10, 2003 12:50 pm

Agreed...can't wait to take a test drive rasermon...*hint hint*...

Triton · Post by **Triton** » Sun Aug 10, 2003 9:33 pm

Great pics rasermon! The Vibe is looking great. I can't wait until we get together and do mine!

AKLGT · Post by **AKLGT** » Mon Aug 11, 2003 1:51 am

how long did that take to install all 4?I have mine scheduled for this Saturday.

rasermon · Post by **rasermon** » Mon Aug 11, 2003 2:42 am

quote:how long did that take to install all 4?I have mine scheduled for this Saturday.I did the front in 3 hours and the back was just over a hour.

Triton · Post by **Triton** » Mon Aug 11, 2003 4:05 am

quote:I think we are charging $100 bucks I think.. Or a 24 pack per tire...So.. We prefer 1/2 up front and the rest after the job is done..So basically, 2 24 packs of beer.. We drink, get the job done and then you pay us the rest in cash.. No warranty.. As is..Hehe Ok...DEAL! I think I better bring 3 - 24 packs though. I need something as well.

yank dini · Post by **yank dini** » Mon Aug 11, 2003 4:29 am

Yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Triton · Post by **Triton** » Mon Aug 11, 2003 4:34 am

quote:Will you thirsty boys be at the Ohio meet ? I could use some springs too...Unfortunately, I will not be able to make it. I would really love to go, but it is not going to work out for me.

yank dini · Post by **yank dini** » Mon Aug 11, 2003 4:35 am

Sorry I wont make it

Triton · Post by **Triton** » Mon Aug 11, 2003 4:40 am

quote:my loss That's so sweet! Actually it is my loss. I know how much fun I had at the Michigan meet, helping with all the arrangements and such. It was a great time meeting all my fellow GenVibers. I would love to meet more like yourself AtWork and ragingfish. Not to mention all the others going that did not make the Michigan meet. I would like to see Nick again as well. But there will be a next time. Now back to the thread at hand!

rasermon · Post by **rasermon** » Mon Aug 11, 2003 5:24 am

quote:Will you thirsty boys be at the Ohio meet ? I could use some springs too...I'll be there! I have all the air tools and spring compressor.

Triton · Post by **Triton** » Mon Aug 11, 2003 5:37 am

quote:I have all the air tools and spring compressor. Are you bringing a an air compressor or air tank?

AKLGT · Post by **AKLGT** » Mon Aug 11, 2003 6:18 am

wish I could go, but it's a little long distance for me.

Lancer · Post by **Lancer** » Mon Aug 11, 2003 12:31 pm

I too, was going to install my new Eibach springs this weekend but ran into a litlle snag. Anyone know how to remove a broken wheel nut? I either tightened it too tight the last time I purt the 18" rims on, or the impact driver broke it and I can't remove the wheel now cause half of it is still on the bolt. At least it happend at the begining. It would have sucked to get all the other springs installed and then have this happen.

lumpcus · Post by **lumpcus** » Tue Aug 12, 2003 4:43 am

I just bought a set of Teins. Got 10 days to wait ... Ohhh the agony!!!

rasermon · Post by **rasermon** » Tue Aug 12, 2003 5:17 am

quote:rasermon,Could this be done at / after the meet ?, it would be nice to drive home in a "makeover" Vibe... I've already convinced ragingfish to help me with the intake, if you think the springs could be done, I would be more than happy to provide the beer I don't want to disrupt the meet and greet, but if you think it would work out, I'm willing.This could be done, but you would need a wheel alignment and I don't want you to take a chance driving back home without getting your alignment done. I will help with your CAI though....

Lancer · Post by **Lancer** » Tue Aug 12, 2003 8:07 am

I thought you were supposed to let the springs settle for like a week before getting an alignment?

rasermon · Post by **rasermon** » Tue Aug 12, 2003 11:09 am

quote:I thought you were supposed to let the springs settle for like a week before getting an alignment?I'm not sure about that Lancer, but after my first drive the back springs did settle 3/4".(8-13-03) Lancer after making several phone calls they recommend that you should wait 2 weeks before you get your alignment done.

BubbaBlueyz · Post by **BubbaBlueyz** » Tue Aug 12, 2003 11:15 am

quote:Will you thirsty boys be at the Ohio meet ? I could use some springs too...I wont beable to make it either! I wrecked my car!! I have about $10000.00 worth of damage! thank god for insurance!

ragingfish · Post by **ragingfish** » Tue Aug 12, 2003 11:32 am

Hey wait, if we're gonna be doing spring installs, let me know, I'll totally get some for us to install out there! It's somethign I want to do, but have put off since I didn't know how I'd get them in...

MadBill · Post by **MadBill** » Tue Aug 12, 2003 11:37 am

It's not clear if an alignment is really necessary after a spring install, or just good insurance. I checked mine after a 1-1/4" drop, and found the front camber is exactly the same as the rear, namely 1 degree negative, which is fine by me. In fact, I might crank the front up to minus 1-1/2 or so. I've put ~10,000 Km on with no wear or pulling evident, but I really should at least get the toe checked...One problem doing springs on the spot: it's almost impossible to remember EVERY tool you'll need to drag along, plus it will limit the socializing of the wrench-wielders. On the other hand, it would be a great education/entertainment for the onlookers...

rasermon · Post by **rasermon** » Tue Aug 12, 2003 12:03 pm

MadBill,Thanks for your input.Just to be on the safe side I'm going to get alignment done and will post the results. I would like to help out other members at the Ohio meet with spring installs, but it would take up most of my time meeting other GVC members. MB we could dedicate a meet just for mods sometime.

ragingfish · Post by **ragingfish** » Tue Aug 12, 2003 12:15 pm

quote:MB we could dedicate a meet just for mods sometime. Good call. I'll save my springs for a future meet...

dmitri · Post by **dmitri** » Tue Aug 12, 2003 1:47 pm

good god....impact wrenches have knobs on them so you can adjust the torque..when doing lug nuts i keep mine on 1 and then tighten them by hand after. Also, if you didnt read the direction, you have to oil the impact wrench every time you use it because the internal parts will break if you dont. btw...spring installs cant really be done at a meet...you need jack stands and concrete ground to do this safely...also an air compressor and an outlet for it etc.

scherry2 · Post by **scherry2** » Tue Aug 12, 2003 9:38 pm

the CAI would be easy to put in . I'll help

rasermon · Post by **rasermon** » Tue Aug 12, 2003 9:46 pm

quote:This site is like having 30 older brothers, thanks for the help guys *nod*

dmitri · Post by **dmitri** » Wed Aug 13, 2003 7:51 am

lol im 17 not really much older...

rasermon · Post by **rasermon** » Sat Aug 16, 2003 7:36 am

Another member (Triton GT) satisfied with Hotchkis springs installed.So far in seven days I have two spring installs under my belt....

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rasermon · Post by **rasermon** » Sat Aug 16, 2003 7:39 am

Triton's GT with springs.

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scherry2 · Post by **scherry2** » Sat Aug 16, 2003 7:48 am

definitely gonna be my next mod i think. both cars look greaton average how long did it take to do the whole spring change?

rasermon · Post by **rasermon** » Sat Aug 16, 2003 7:52 am

quote:definitely gonna be my next mod i think. both cars look greaton average how long did it take to do the whole spring change?Thanks man! *nod*You should give yourself about 3-4 hours to install your springs.

AKLGT · Post by **AKLGT** » Sat Aug 16, 2003 7:53 am

it took me and my mechanic about 2 hours to do it. not too hard to do as long as you have all the right tools. otherwise it could take a long time.here's a pic of mine with TRD springs