GenVibe - Community for Pontiac Vibe Enthusiasts

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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pic No. 2

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Pic No. 3

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Strut assembly with Hotchkis spring.

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looks good

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

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

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!

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

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.

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

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)

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.

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

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

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...

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

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...

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..."

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

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

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

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.

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.

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

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.

Sorry I wont make it

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!

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.

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

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

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.

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

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....

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

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.

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!

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...

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...

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.

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

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.

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

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

lol im 17 not really much older...

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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Triton's GT with springs.

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

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.

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