lowering questions

syclnjr · Post by **syclnjr** » Fri Mar 05, 2004 10:16 am

Hey there all just thought I would drop a line since I am new being that I just bought a 2004 GT Abyss two tone, 17's, moons and tunes. the question that I have is if I am going to lower my ride with Teins or any other spring am I going to have to change the shocks/ struts with the reduction in ride height. ThanksMike

rasermon · Post by **rasermon** » Fri Mar 05, 2004 11:24 am

Quote, originally posted by syclnjr Â»if I am going to lower my ride with Teins or any other spring am I going to have to change the shocks/ struts with the reduction in ride height. ThanksMikeYou should be just fine with your stock struts. BTW, welcome to genvibe.

Raven · Post by **Raven** » Fri Mar 05, 2004 11:27 am

No you won't. You will need to get an alignment after the springs settle in for a week or so. I just bought Tein STech's and I am waiting for delivery.

AKLGT · Post by **AKLGT** » Fri Mar 05, 2004 11:29 am

yep, i have trd springs and have the stock struts. no probs at all... and yes, welcome to genvibe! post pics!

syclnjr · Post by **syclnjr** » Fri Mar 05, 2004 12:05 pm

oh yeah I will get those pics up soon but here in Michigan as I am sure that some of you know the weather is crap as usual and they are talking snow the rest of the week who knows. And thanks for the welcoming. I absolutely love the car. I bought it will six miles on it and it has a little over 800 on it now. I drive it a bit Later guys and thanks for the answer to the questions.Mike

Triton · Post by **Triton** » Fri Mar 05, 2004 12:36 pm

Hotchkis springs here with the stock struts and no problems either. BTW, welcome to GenVibe for a fellow Michigan Viber! Be sure to keep your calendar clear on June 26th for the Michigan meet. Go to the following two forums for more info. http://forums.genvibe.com/zerothread?id=8106 http://forums.genvibe.com/zerothread?id=8289

ebslopp · Post by **ebslopp** » Mon Apr 05, 2004 2:31 am

Are you going to install these yourself? Does anybody know what a garage would charge to install the coils? I don't feel comfortable messing with my suspension.

AKLGT · Post by **AKLGT** » Mon Apr 05, 2004 4:03 am

i helped install the springs on mine. cost me $120 for labor, but i got a discount. i know that triton and rasermon are pros at install! should ask those guys.

Triton · Post by **Triton** » Mon Apr 05, 2004 5:31 am

I helped a little with my install, mostly took in all the information since rasermon had done it before. It went really good. Three things that you NEED: air tools, spring compressors and a torque wrench.

ebslopp · Post by **ebslopp** » Mon Apr 05, 2004 5:40 am

do you need a lift, or can you do it on blocks?

Sub-Vibe-R · Post by **Sub-Vibe-R** » Mon Apr 05, 2004 5:54 am

Quote, originally posted by ebslopp Â»do you need a lift, or can you do it on blocks?I did mine with jack and blocks.

ebslopp · Post by **ebslopp** » Mon Apr 05, 2004 6:11 am

Cool, then the only thing I'm missing is the spring compressor! How much are they, and where can I find one?

Sub-Vibe-R · Post by **Sub-Vibe-R** » Mon Apr 05, 2004 6:17 am

Quote, originally posted by ebslopp Â»Cool, then the only thing I'm missing is the spring compressor! How much are they, and where can I find one?I took mine for free at Canadian Tire. May be some shop can do the same down south...You could also ask Rasermon, he has one, he may borrow it to you.

ebslopp · Post by **ebslopp** » Mon Apr 05, 2004 6:24 am

How long would it take someone to change them by themselves? I've replaced alternators, starters, change my own oil, replace my own brake pads, and that's about all of my experience with cars. I can use a spring compressor for free from my local Autozone. Should I try to do it myself, or should I pay a pro to do it?

AKLGT · Post by **AKLGT** » Mon Apr 05, 2004 6:28 am

if you've got the tools, you'll be set! wasn't diff at all! i'm sure there are some diy instructions on here from tein... that's what we used. it you have done those other projects, this shuld be fine. just make sure you get an alignment done a week or so afterwards.

scherry2 · Post by **scherry2** » Mon Apr 05, 2004 6:35 am

I have Tein springs I pulled it in my garage at home and with only hand tools i changed all my springs. i took the struts in to a local auto shop and they changed the springs for $15 each. took me all of around 4 to 5 hours total not including running to the auto store. fronts were the easiest. some where on this forum there was a link to a page by page how to on changing the springs. here it is http://www.deepstaged.net/toymattein.htm

Sub-Vibe-R · Post by **Sub-Vibe-R** » Mon Apr 05, 2004 6:36 am

You've done close to what I can do on a car and I've been able to install my Tein myself, without too much touble.It took me around 3 hours, and this include the time to prepare the garage and the tool and clean up after the work done.

AKLGT · Post by **AKLGT** » Mon Apr 05, 2004 6:38 am

ok, here's the thread with the link courtesy of rasermon! http://forums.genvibe.com/zerothread?id=4918

Mavrik · Post by **Mavrik** » Mon Apr 05, 2004 6:58 am

Since I put on my rims, have been getting suggestions for lowering the Vibe. So would most recommend coil overs with stock shocks? or just go lowered coils and leave the stock shocks? I sort of want to raise and lower my Vibe based on the season, regular height for winter obviously. Go with a 2.5 inch drop for the summer. Any brands/recommendations?

ebslopp · Post by **ebslopp** » Mon Apr 05, 2004 7:20 am

Well, I'm convinced that I need to lower my Vibe myself. Now I just have to convince my old lady...lol

MadBill · Post by **MadBill** » Mon Apr 05, 2004 9:33 am

On another thread, a Viber's Dad wasn't up for him dropping the new Vibe, so I suggested he do a clandestine swap to coilovers but leave it near stock height, and just drop it an unnoticable half turn a week until he got it where he wanted it...

Mavrik · Post by **Mavrik** » Mon Apr 05, 2004 10:45 am

How does a coil over work exactly?

ebslopp · Post by **ebslopp** » Mon Apr 05, 2004 10:50 am

I would do it that way, but my wife balances the checkbook, so she would see that I spent $300 that I didn't tell her about. Then she would really be pissed. I'd rather talk her into it so she gets excited about it too!

MadBill · Post by **MadBill** » Mon Apr 05, 2004 11:00 am

Ah, well, I suppose that beats saving your lunch money for 6 months! Besides, such things tend to come out sooner or later...

MadBill · Post by **MadBill** » Mon Apr 05, 2004 11:11 am

.Quote, originally posted by Mavrik Â»How does a coil over work exactly? Originally, the term referred to any suspension spring surounding and attached to the shock, as in: "the coil is over/around the shock". For a car with McPherson Struts such as the Vibe, where this is aready the case, it has come to mean that the lower mounting point is a threaded sleeve that can be rotated to raise or lower the car and (often overlooked point) adjust the relative weight carried by the left and right tire to optimize handling, traction and braking.

noginsk · Post by **noginsk** » Mon Apr 05, 2004 11:19 am

I have heard through the thread-vine that lowering the car can improve your gas mileage. I think this is done by having less wind resistance due to the lower ride height. And, because the underside of the car is so turbulent that it is essentially "part" of the car for wind resistance's sake. That is another benifit of lowering the car. Atually, I think I just sold mysle fon it! (So, MadBill, how did I do?)

MadBill · Post by **MadBill** » Mon Apr 05, 2004 11:37 am

Pretty good, nog! (It never hurts to quote the teacher, and since that was an old post of mine you referenced...)

MarkM04 · Post by **MarkM04** » Tue Apr 06, 2004 11:22 pm

Do you need to get a front AND rear alignment after you lower these cars?

Raven · Post by **Raven** » Tue Apr 06, 2004 11:35 pm

A 4 wheel alignment is usually recommended, especially for front wheel drive cars. Mine is being done tomorrow. I put Tein STechs on last weekend for a 2" drop.

MarkM04 · Post by **MarkM04** » Tue Apr 06, 2004 11:45 pm

What are they charging you for the 4w alignment?

AKLGT · Post by **AKLGT** » Wed Apr 07, 2004 12:13 am

welcome to genvibe!well it is recommended to do both especially when you are messing around w/ the suspension. i'm no car expert, but that's from my understanding.

Raven · Post by **Raven** » Wed Apr 07, 2004 1:15 am

Quote, originally posted by MarkM04 Â»What are they charging you for the 4w alignment?$50.00

MadBill · Post by **MadBill** » Wed Apr 07, 2004 8:20 am

.Quote, originally posted by MarkM04 Â»Do you need to get a front AND rear alignment after you lower these cars?In general, a 4 wheel alignment would be the norm, but the Vibe's rear (non-AWD) suspension uses parallel trailing arms, so the axle swings in an arc as seen from the side, but does not change camber as the body rises and falls; thus a rear alignment is not strictly required. That said, doing all 4 likely won't cost much more, and it will give you the assurance that all is well

lowering questions

lowering questions

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