Eibach Lowering springs and caps 99 GTS PROBLEM!! PLEASE HELP!!

[Timnineside]

Okay, I searched the forums, and how-to's for about an hour.

I have the Eibach's, and lowering caps.

I have everything off the car, and putting them back together now.

2 problems, first the rear springs don't even touch the caps when I have the lowering caps on, but fit okay with the stock caps on. Is this normal?? Maybe the car will compress them when under load??? Does not seem correct to me??

Also can anyone tell me "how-to" adjust the stifness??

Its a 99 GTS, and Jon B said tighten all the way to stiff then 5 clicks back, but I see NO adjustment.

I would like to think that I am not completly ********, but starting to doubt myself. I had a local shop do the work, but they really had NO idea, and pretty much just used them to get the stock springs off.


Any help please!!!!

-Tim

 

[Dom426h]

Yes. When you apply the load of the 3400lb car onto the springs they will compress. (just as when you jacked your vehicle up the springs decompressed)

http://www.koni-na.com/pdf/tech.pdf
(page 7) Make sure to keep downward pressure while turning to maintain the adjustment fork engagment. It is easy to not realize that she came up alittle then next thing you know your counting an infinite amonut of rotations
Go back and forth a couple times and count the half turns to determine the full range. Set them at halfway between soft & stiff.

 

[Timnineside]

Yes. When you apply the load of the 3400lb car onto the springs they will compress. (just as when you jacked your vehicle up the springs decompressed)

http://www.koni-na.com/pdf/tech.pdf
(page 7) Make sure to keep downward pressure while turning to maintain the adjustment fork engagment.
Go back and forth a couple times and count the half turns to determine the full range. Set them at halfway between soft & stiff.

Thanks for the help. Does it seem normal that the eibach spring with the lowering cap is about 1" from even touching it without being under load??

 

[Dom426h]

When i did mine i remember the stock rear caps being just slightly loose, so i assume that the aftermarket ones will be looser by exactly how much thinner they are.

Be sure to get an alignment after you slam her, or atleast get her on a rack to make sure the lowering didnt give you more camber than you desire

 

[-FROG-]

I don't recall anything weird on my Eibach springs and after market caps. I have lowered about 6 cars in my life and never really had any problems. Throw them back on there and see what happens. You aren't going to mess anything up. I do remember the stock caps were REALLY hard to get out of the springs unless compressed really far and the aftermarket caps went in EASIELY, so deffenitely a difference there but don't remember if I had alot of slack or not... It's trial and error. Springs are no big deal. Put them on, remove the jack and take a look around.... push on the car and see what happens. Take it around the block and see what happens...

 

[costanZo]

When i did mine i remember the stock rear caps being just slightly loose, so i assume that the aftermarket ones will be looser by exactly how much thinner they are.

Be sure to get an alignment after you slam her, or atleast get her on a rack to make sure the lowering didnt give you more camber than you desire

Hey Dom,

I actually just purchased the KW Variant 2 Coilovers for my car. You must have a 96 or 97.. can't tell from your default picture, but either way our cars are the same when having them lowered. How many fingers can you put between the tire and the fender wall? I was actually speaking with Bill Pemberton and he strongly advised me not to lower the car too much since my front tires could possibly rub up against the hood causing it harm. This worries me greatly, so I thought I would ask how low your car is before I get mine lowered next friday/saturday. By the way, below are my tire sizes since I'm sure this will make a difference if your tires aren't the same as mine.

Michelin Pilot Sport 2, 295/30/ZR19
Michelin Pilot Sport 2, 335/30/ZR20

 

[Timnineside]

When i did mine i remember the stock rear caps being just slightly loose, so i assume that the aftermarket ones will be looser by exactly how much thinner they are.

Be sure to get an alignment after you slam her, or atleast get her on a rack to make sure the lowering didnt give you more camber than you desire

Yeah I assume you just did springs then???

The eibachs with stock caps seem "okay"

But when I put the lowering caps there is a huge cap.

But yeah I will throw her back together and see what happens. I don't really want to blow my fender's out or tires tho...

Thanks, and anyone that has done both would be nice for a little more reasurance!

-Tim

 

[-FROG-]

I have done both on 2 Vipers and countless other cars... Just lower the jack slowly and see if everything checks out. You aren't going to mess anything up.

 

[JonB]

We did provide the Koni web instructions, and some verbals.... Any chance you have the springs reversed front to rear? ? You know how to reach me. Thanks

 

[Timnineside]

Thanks for the call Jon!!

I planned on paying someone to take care of this, but like I said they just are that knowledgeable, and don't feel comfortable doing this. It has all been put back into my hands. I was just hoping to get whatever advice I could!

And YES you did have the link on the invoice, but I didn't pay much attention because I didn't plan on doing the install myself.

However I will educate my self on this info tonight, and be working on it most of the evening tomorrow!!

Thanks agian for all the help from everyone!

I will keep this tread posted, and possibly add some final pics!!

-Tim

 

[Dom426h]

costanZo , I think have the same Front tire size as you as i have 19's all around. Only Eibach springs here. No clearance issues besides when i pop the hood the corner slightly rubs the tire. So i see why people say with both srings&caps or bigger wheels like 20's need to turn the wheel or something to get the hood open. With the KW's you have the ability to adjust to whatever hieght you like. If your into performance i suggest finding an alignment shop that does cornerbalancing.

Here is an informative read if you are not familiar:
Megan Racing

 

[costanZo]

costanZo , I think have the same Front tire size as you as i have 19's all around. Only Eibach springs here. No clearance issues besides when i pop the hood the corner slightly rubs the tire. So i see why people say with both srings&caps or bigger wheels like 20's need to turn the wheel or something to get the hood open. With the KW's you have the ability to adjust to whatever hieght you like. If your into performance i suggest finding an alignment shop that does cornerbalancing.

Here is an informative read if you are not familiar:
Megan Racing

Hey Dom, the place I'm bringing it too of course will be doing an allignment after they install the coilovers. I'm not sure if it's cornerbalancing though...I'll have to ask.

Here is the place I'm taking it too: Kinetic Motor Works

 

[Timnineside]

And the problem continues. I am looking at the Koni Shock and see NO adjustment. I went to the koni page as suggested. It said remove the plastic sleave (which just slid around on its own up and down and I removed it by hand)

Now I see to small holes about as big around as a pen point.

Does this need to come off as well????
It appears to be metal, and part of the shock???

There is NO pin sticking out, I am going to pull all the springs back off as of now, but I can't see anything that even resembles a pin.

ahhhh!!!!!

 

[JohnnyViper]

that small hole is your adjuster, there is no "knob" to change the settings. you need to hold the button in the hole and turn the shock shaft as per the directions koni website

 

[moparracing]

good information.

 

[Timnineside]

that small hole is your adjuster, there is no "knob" to change the settings. you need to hold the button in the hole and turn the shock shaft as per the directions koni website

What do you use to poke in there???

I was looking at the Koni website (per link listed above page 7), and it strickly says USE YOUR FINGER!

I must have the wrong page or something. I am sure this is stupid simple if its been done before, but beating the hell out of me.

Also to make my day better my power washer won't start...

-Tim

 

[Timnineside]

Okay, just relized I was looking at the wrong page all together.

Still am not sure, but here is page 7 from Dom


REBOUND ADJUSTMENT PROCEDURES
Remove the shock absorber from the vehicle and hold it
vertically with the lower eye or pin attachment in a vise. Use
clamp plates to prevent damage.
Fully collapse the shock absorber, at the same time turning the
dust cap or piston rod slowly to the left (counterclockwise),
until it is felt that the cams of the adjusting nut engage in the
recesses of the foot valve assembly.
Some shock absorbers include a bump rubber concealed under
the dust cover that must be removed prior to adjusting.
The damper may have already been adjusted. Therefore check
whether the shock absorber is in the unadjusted position or not
by keeping it collapsed and gently turning further to the left
counting at the same time the half turns until a stop is felt. Stop
turning then and do not use force.
Keeping the shock absorber collapsed, make 1 half turn (180o)
to the right (clockwise). In case of prior adjustment add the
number of half turns previously found. The total range is about
5 half turns.
Pull the shock absorber out vertically without turning for at least
1 cm to disengage the adjusting mechanism. The dust cap or
piston rod may now be turned freely.


This does not seem right either???

 

[costanZo]

costanZo , I think have the same Front tire size as you as i have 19's all around. Only Eibach springs here. No clearance issues besides when i pop the hood the corner slightly rubs the tire. So i see why people say with both srings&caps or bigger wheels like 20's need to turn the wheel or something to get the hood open. With the KW's you have the ability to adjust to whatever hieght you like. If your into performance i suggest finding an alignment shop that does cornerbalancing.

Here is an informative read if you are not familiar:
Megan Racing

Hey Dom, I was at Tire Warehouse today and I mentioned cornerbalancing just to see if they knew anything about it which they didn't. They told me they did Roadforce balancing..do you know anything about that? I need to find out if the place I'm getting my KW2s installed does balancing and alignment. I'll also ask if they do cornerbalancing regardless.

 

[VIPER BAZ UK]

Hey Dom, I was at Tire Warehouse today and I mentioned cornerbalancing just to see if they knew anything about it which they didn't. They told me they did Roadforce balancing..do you know anything about that? I need to find out if the place I'm getting my KW2s installed does balancing and alignment. I'll also ask if they do cornerbalancing regardless.

RADFORCE balancing is when they spin the wheel under load, tyre rolling on ground for real world balancing....

 

[Jerry Colpitts]

Costanzo....get the Kw's cornerbalanced.....i did mine and man the car is tight......

 

[AZTVR]

Costanzo....get the Kw's cornerbalanced.....i did mine and man the car is tight......

You could really tell the difference ? I've had some folks tell me that it probably wouldn't be noticeable at my driving level. I guess that it really depends on how "off" the car is to start with, and you don't know that until you put it on scales.

I've been wondering about paying for that added expense, myself.

 

[costanZo]

Costanzo....get the Kw's cornerbalanced.....i did mine and man the car is tight......

Jerry, where did you get your KW2's cornerbalanced?

 

[JohnnyViper]

jerry I would be interested in where you got yours done as well

 

[costanZo]

jerry I would be interested in where you got yours done as well

Costanzo....get the Kw's cornerbalanced.....i did mine and man the car is tight......

I just got off the phone with Mike from Kinetic Motor Works in Hampstead, NH where I'm taking my car to get the KW2s installed this weekend and they said they do Corner Balancing and it would cost me $150 more then the total cost for the install of the coilovers.

 

[JohnnyViper]

thanks!!!!!!

I just got off the phone with Mike from Kinetic Motor Works in Hampstead, NH where I'm taking my car to get the KW2s installed this weekend and they said they do Corner Balancing and it would cost me $150 more then the total install for the coilovers.

 

[Dom426h]

You could really tell the difference ? I've had some folks tell me that it probably wouldn't be noticeable at my driving level. I guess that it really depends on how "off" the car is to start with, and you don't know that until you put it on scales.

I've been wondering about paying for that added expense, myself.

Right, you can always save some money by just paying someone for a 1/2hr of labor to simply drive up onto the scales and get a baseline reading to see how balanced your car is. Then if its off by a fixable amount talk about how much to correct.

I just got off the phone with Mike from Kinetic Motor Works in Hampstead, NH where I'm taking my car to get the KW2s installed this weekend and they said they do Corner Balancing and it would cost me $150 more then the total cost for the install of the coilovers.

150bucks sounds reasonable, thats like 1.5hrs of labor, plus remember that they are using a quad scale setup that likely costs a couple grand.

Please send me your final cornerwieghts so i have a baseline to compare if i ever find someone with scales to check mine.

 

[costanZo]

Right, you can always save some money by just paying someone for a 1/2hr of labor to simply drive up onto the scales and get a baseline reading to see how balanced your car is. Then if its off by a fixable amount talk about how much to correct.




150bucks sounds reasonable, thats like 1.5hrs of labor, plus remember that they are using a quad scale setup that likely costs a couple grand.

Please send me your final cornerwieghts so i have a baseline to compare if i ever find someone with scales to check mine.

Will do Dom, I'll let you know this weekend after the install. I think Kinetic was going to do cornerbalancing regardless since they said they have another guy they work with who does race car alignment/balancing who will be doing mine. Regardless, thanks for recommending it!

By the way.....is your car a 96 or 97?

 

[Jerry Colpitts]

Who are they using.....150 is excellent i paid 350....My thinking is if you are going to spend money on excellent shocks and springs why not do the job 100% and balace each corner of the car to get the set up ae perfect as possible.....

 

[costanZo]

Who are they using.....150 is excellent i paid 350....My thinking is if you are going to spend money on excellent shocks and springs why not do the job 100% and balace each corner of the car to get the set up ae perfect as possible.....

Jerry, I'll have to remember to ask them tomorrow. Because of the snow I'm dropping my car off tomorrow instead of on Thursday. However, they aren't doing the install until Friday and I believe won't be doing the alignment until Saturday when I am there to do the testing and adjustment of the coilovers.

 

[costanZo]

Who are they using.....150 is excellent i paid 350....My thinking is if you are going to spend money on excellent shocks and springs why not do the job 100% and balace each corner of the car to get the set up ae perfect as possible.....

Jerry, they told me they would be doing it inhouse themselves. The place is called Kinetic Motor Works as I mentioned above.. Nice group of guys, and they have a really nice shop as well. Here is their website: Kinetic Motor Works