who installed their own eibach springs?

Mike · 06-19-2009, 06:31 PM

I am having a real bitch getting the front springs compressed enough to reinstall them. I have put on lots of eibach springs before and never even needed to use a spring compressor when reinstalling, as they are usually pretty short. These are the same length as stock, but have 10 coils instead of 5 and something just doesn't seem right. I wound up breaking my spring compressor, so tomorrow I am off to find a suspension shop with a press.

Anyone?

Junior370z · 06-19-2009, 08:24 PM

I installed my own springs too and yes the front springs are a b***h! Luckily I have a spring compressor I bought from a MAC tool truck back when I worked at a race shop. Even then I had to use spacers to give me more compression. Fortunately the rears only took like 10 mins total.

sensi09 · 06-19-2009, 08:41 PM

You could try autozone as they offer free rentals on their spring compressors. Just need to leave a deposit.

Josh@STILLEN · 06-19-2009, 10:10 PM

Be careful.. the autozone compressors can be scary as hell when trying to compress springs like this. If at all possible run the springs down to a shop with a 'real' spring compressor.. if the autozone one lets loose.. you're in for a world of hurt..

Mike · 06-19-2009, 10:43 PM

I had good $75 NAPA ones and they stripped out on me, plus there was no more room to get the teeth in where they would compress enough. Going somewhere with a press tomorrow.

The rears were easy, and aside from the compressing them, these are much easier to swap than the 350z was.

Junior370z · 06-19-2009, 11:14 PM

For real guys don't use cheap compressors! My compressor cost me $550 from the MAC tool truck and it was still scary! Those rental compressors WILL NOT WORK with these springs trust me! I don't want you guys to hurt yourselves. Just bring the fronts to the shop to get installed.

Mike · 06-20-2009, 06:13 AM

what he said. You really need a hydraulic press for these.

sensi09 · 06-20-2009, 06:34 AM

Good info on the autozone compressor. Never actually used it myself, but see it recommended from time to time.

DuNw/4BanGerZ · 06-20-2009, 07:07 AM

i did mine and of course the fronts were a bi*ch. we ended up bolting the top cover to the car first then putting the shocks and spring in the car uncompressed and getting a jack underneath the shock...then guilding and jacking the shock up to get it to compress with the weight of the car...if you get what im saying.

Mike · 06-20-2009, 12:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sensi09

Good info on the autozone compressor. Never actually used it myself, but see it recommended from time to time.

normally they work fine for any other car and lowering springs, these were just unique.

Anyway, got them back on and got everything together, but didn't even notice that they put the wrong wheel locks on at the dealership and I busted one, now its stuck. So, I am going to the dealership for an alignment and to let them deal with it since its their mistake. I didn't even ask for locks!

CBRich · 06-20-2009, 09:05 PM

Good to hear you got it back together but how so? May help some of us a little later on.

ChrisSlicks · 06-20-2009, 09:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike

normally they work fine for any other car and lowering springs, these were just unique.

Anyway, got them back on and got everything together, but didn't even notice that they put the wrong wheel locks on at the dealership and I busted one, now its stuck. So, I am going to the dealership for an alignment and to let them deal with it since its their mistake. I didn't even ask for locks!

Reference this TSB.

SB 2009 370Z / 350Z; Accessory Locking Wheel Nuts: NTB09024
SERVICE INFORMATION The accessory Locking Wheel Nuts for 370Z are different then those for 350Z. When installing Locking Wheel Nuts, make sure to use the correct Part Number. See this bulletin for further detail.

and read this thread if you already haven't.
Broken wheel stud and lug nut.

Mike · 06-20-2009, 11:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChrisSlicks

Reference this TSB.

SB 2009 370Z / 350Z; Accessory Locking Wheel Nuts: NTB09024
SERVICE INFORMATION The accessory Locking Wheel Nuts for 370Z are different then those for 350Z. When installing Locking Wheel Nuts, make sure to use the correct Part Number. See this bulletin for further detail.

and read this thread if you already haven't.
Broken wheel stud and lug nut.

I read both of them, but I have been doing so much between the powdercoating business and working the mods in at the same time, that I kind of forgot. The service manager at the dealership gave me some attitude when I went in today, especially when I referenced the TSB, which I had printed, so I went to the GM who I had talked to for quite a while when buying it and at later delivery. He had wanted to see the car after mods, so I told him they were done, but thats not why I was there. I explained the wrong locking lugs, and that when I took them off the car, they were only finger tight. He wasn't real happy.

Service said it would be 2-4 hours because they were really busy and that I would have to make an appointment for an alignment later. The GM gave me a new Altima off the lot to drive and said to come back as late as I want, before closing. Within an hour I had a message from the service guy that the lug was replaced, and when I came in he was very polite and also informed me that they don't have the specs for the alignment for a stock 370 yet.

Regardless, it is fixed.

Mike · 06-20-2009, 11:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CBRich

Good to hear you got it back together but how so? May help some of us a little later on.

Took the struts off the car and the springs to the local goodyear and 30 minutes and $47.50 later, they swapped them out for me. Then I reinstalled them.

A tip for anyone who does go this route. Mark the alignment of the top hats in relation to the strut. One of the 3 corners should be in line but perpendicular to the bottom strut hole. If they don't put them properly, you won't be able to reinstall.

Junior370z · 06-21-2009, 02:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike

Took the struts off the car and the springs to the local goodyear and 30 minutes and $47.50 later, they swapped them out for me. Then I reinstalled them.

A tip for anyone who does go this route. Mark the alignment of the top hats in relation to the strut. One of the 3 corners should be in line but perpendicular to the bottom strut hole. If they don't put them properly, you won't be able to reinstall.

Yes this important so don't forget!!!

06-19-2009, 06:31 PM	#1 (permalink)
Mike The370Z.com Sponsor Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Loganville, GA Posts: 5,944 Drives: 370z Rep Power: 2186	who installed their own eibach springs? I am having a real bitch getting the front springs compressed enough to reinstall them. I have put on lots of eibach springs before and never even needed to use a spring compressor when reinstalling, as they are usually pretty short. These are the same length as stock, but have 10 coils instead of 5 and something just doesn't seem right. I wound up breaking my spring compressor, so tomorrow I am off to find a suspension shop with a press. Anyone? __________________ NISSAN: 75 280Z / 86 300ZX GLL /87 Sentra SE / 03 350Z / 23 Z Porsche: 93 968 / 23 Macan GTS / 93 968

06-19-2009, 08:24 PM	#2 (permalink)
Junior370z A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Las Vegas Age: 50 Posts: 1,024 Drives: over the speed limit Rep Power: 293	I installed my own springs too and yes the front springs are a b*h! Luckily I have a spring compressor I bought from a MAC tool truck back when I worked at a race shop. Even then I had to use spacers to give me more compression. Fortunately the rears only took like 10 mins total. __________________ DON'T DO IT! ( Click to show/hide )** Stillen CBECAI-U/D PulleyGround KitSwaysSetrab Oil CoolerIchiba Rear Camber KitAgility CoiloverBerk HFCTechnosquare TuneGT-R ButtonVenaci MeshSP Performance Cross Drilled/Slotted RotorsSPC Toe BoltsBomex LipMud flapsAero Jacket Type III WingSold

06-19-2009, 10:43 PM	#5 (permalink)
Mike The370Z.com Sponsor Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Loganville, GA Posts: 5,944 Drives: 370z Rep Power: 2186	I had good $75 NAPA ones and they stripped out on me, plus there was no more room to get the teeth in where they would compress enough. Going somewhere with a press tomorrow. The rears were easy, and aside from the compressing them, these are much easier to swap than the 350z was. __________________ NISSAN: 75 280Z / 86 300ZX GLL /87 Sentra SE / 03 350Z / 23 Z Porsche: 93 968 / 23 Macan GTS / 93 968

06-19-2009, 11:14 PM	#6 (permalink)
Junior370z A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Las Vegas Age: 50 Posts: 1,024 Drives: over the speed limit Rep Power: 293	For real guys don't use cheap compressors! My compressor cost me $550 from the MAC tool truck and it was still scary! Those rental compressors WILL NOT WORK with these springs trust me! I don't want you guys to hurt yourselves. Just bring the fronts to the shop to get installed. __________________ DON'T DO IT! ( Click to show/hide ) Stillen CBECAI-U/D PulleyGround KitSwaysSetrab Oil CoolerIchiba Rear Camber KitAgility CoiloverBerk HFCTechnosquare TuneGT-R ButtonVenaci MeshSP Performance Cross Drilled/Slotted RotorsSPC Toe BoltsBomex LipMud flapsAero Jacket Type III WingSold

06-20-2009, 06:13 AM	#7 (permalink)
Mike The370Z.com Sponsor Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Loganville, GA Posts: 5,944 Drives: 370z Rep Power: 2186	what he said. You really need a hydraulic press for these. __________________ NISSAN: 75 280Z / 86 300ZX GLL /87 Sentra SE / 03 350Z / 23 Z Porsche: 93 968 / 23 Macan GTS / 93 968

06-19-2009, 08:41 PM	#3 (permalink)
sensi09 Enthusiast Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: so cal Posts: 449 Drives: _ Rep Power: 16	You could try autozone as they offer free rentals on their spring compressors. Just need to leave a deposit.

06-19-2009, 10:10 PM	#4 (permalink)
Josh@STILLEN The370Z.com Sponsor Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Costa Mesa, CA Posts: 1,197 Drives: 2004 G35 Coupe 6MT Rep Power: 533	Be careful.. the autozone compressors can be scary as hell when trying to compress springs like this. If at all possible run the springs down to a shop with a 'real' spring compressor.. if the autozone one lets loose.. you're in for a world of hurt..

06-20-2009, 06:34 AM	#8 (permalink)
sensi09 Enthusiast Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: so cal Posts: 449 Drives: _ Rep Power: 16	Good info on the autozone compressor. Never actually used it myself, but see it recommended from time to time.

06-20-2009, 07:07 AM	#9 (permalink)
DuNw/4BanGerZ Base Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Virginia Beach Age: 41 Posts: 92 Drives: 2009 370Z MB M6 w/sp Rep Power: 16	i did mine and of course the fronts were a bi*ch. we ended up bolting the top cover to the car first then putting the shocks and spring in the car uncompressed and getting a jack underneath the shock...then guilding and jacking the shock up to get it to compress with the weight of the car...if you get what im saying.

06-20-2009, 09:05 PM	#11 (permalink)
CBRich A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: SC Posts: 2,464 Drives: 370Z Rep Power: 544	Good to hear you got it back together but how so? May help some of us a little later on.

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