a4b7
05-26-2007, 07:30 PM
I was on a budget and wanted to get springs, but didn't want to end up having to pay for new shocks and double labor! Labor charges was 500+. So i got a good deal on tein basic coils and went with it.
Since summer is here along with plenty of free time, I decided why not learn and do it myself. There's plenty of DIY threads on this topic. I went out and invest in tools..got a big 33gal craftsman air compressor, impact wrenches, rachets, sockets(had no idea how expensive this shit was), jack stands, torque wrenches, and a bunch of other stuff I though would be useful. I ended up paying over $700 for tools alone. Made me rethink that paying the $500 in labor charges at the shop was a good idea after all. Oh well too late! I guess if I decide to change setup, or tweak the coils, then it would payoff in the long run.
With no hands on mechanical knowledge, it took me a 2 days to finish. Sounds like a long time, but in actuality it was only 1 whole day. The first day, I had to learn how to use/break in the tank and tools. Ended up doing only the front driver side before it turned dark. The next day, I realize I did the driver side wrong(forgot a upper spring seat[rolleyes] ). But since I already knew how to take it apart from the day before, it took me less than an hour to do both front sides!!! lol it was a big gain in confidence knowing I was able to do the fronts MYSELF in less than an hour!![wrench]
Now I went to the rears expecting it to be just as easy. However, it was the biggest pain in the ass[headbang] You definitely need two people to do the rears. Finished late that night with busted knuckles and many cuts, but here is the finish product.
Before pic when I was into the 4x4 offroading scene:
http://www.audizine.com/gallery/data/500/9418DSC03397.JPG
With the drop:
http://www.audizine.com/gallery/data/500/9418DSC05798.JPG
Sorry for the bad pics of the dirty car. Probably wash it later this week with better pics.
Ride quality is similar to oem, except you feel every bump now(i assume any coilover kit would do this) It's not harsh at all. My gf didn't notice or complain either so thats a big [up] . I don't push the car that hard, but I did notice the car sticks to the ground better during cornering. There's a reduction in body roll, and I feel like I have better control of what the car will do now.
I followed tein's specs in the manual. Now that it has settle, I think it's too low. All wheels are pretty much tucked in the fenders. It looks awesome, but not practical for daily driving. I should have set the rears a little higher anyway because I have junk in the trunk, probably 100+lbs of audio equip. Enjoy![:D]
Since summer is here along with plenty of free time, I decided why not learn and do it myself. There's plenty of DIY threads on this topic. I went out and invest in tools..got a big 33gal craftsman air compressor, impact wrenches, rachets, sockets(had no idea how expensive this shit was), jack stands, torque wrenches, and a bunch of other stuff I though would be useful. I ended up paying over $700 for tools alone. Made me rethink that paying the $500 in labor charges at the shop was a good idea after all. Oh well too late! I guess if I decide to change setup, or tweak the coils, then it would payoff in the long run.
With no hands on mechanical knowledge, it took me a 2 days to finish. Sounds like a long time, but in actuality it was only 1 whole day. The first day, I had to learn how to use/break in the tank and tools. Ended up doing only the front driver side before it turned dark. The next day, I realize I did the driver side wrong(forgot a upper spring seat[rolleyes] ). But since I already knew how to take it apart from the day before, it took me less than an hour to do both front sides!!! lol it was a big gain in confidence knowing I was able to do the fronts MYSELF in less than an hour!![wrench]
Now I went to the rears expecting it to be just as easy. However, it was the biggest pain in the ass[headbang] You definitely need two people to do the rears. Finished late that night with busted knuckles and many cuts, but here is the finish product.
Before pic when I was into the 4x4 offroading scene:
http://www.audizine.com/gallery/data/500/9418DSC03397.JPG
With the drop:
http://www.audizine.com/gallery/data/500/9418DSC05798.JPG
Sorry for the bad pics of the dirty car. Probably wash it later this week with better pics.
Ride quality is similar to oem, except you feel every bump now(i assume any coilover kit would do this) It's not harsh at all. My gf didn't notice or complain either so thats a big [up] . I don't push the car that hard, but I did notice the car sticks to the ground better during cornering. There's a reduction in body roll, and I feel like I have better control of what the car will do now.
I followed tein's specs in the manual. Now that it has settle, I think it's too low. All wheels are pretty much tucked in the fenders. It looks awesome, but not practical for daily driving. I should have set the rears a little higher anyway because I have junk in the trunk, probably 100+lbs of audio equip. Enjoy![:D]