Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums Modifications Suspension eibach pro kit and svt struts installed

lots of info here.

well i installed my new svt struts, and eibach pro kit springs yesterday. it was easier than i thaught just realy time consuming. i read through a lot of posts on the subject and they all seem to make it sound like its a real tough job but it wasnt in my case.

one thing that i read was that one set of spring compressors isnt enough to do the huge stock front spring. i used one set and it was easy. for the front spring what i did was grab 4 coils on one side and 3 on the opposite side and there was no problem using only one set.

i also kept reading about rear end sag using the eibach pro kit. my car sits as level as iit did stock. my trunk is empty exept for the spare equipment and jumper cables.

i read the how to in the how to section and it was real helpfull. it mentioned cutting the bump stops on the struts. i didnt and my car rides fine.

when it comes to the install only toosl i needed was a 10,15,17,18 mm sockets and wrenches,vice grip, tie rod seperator fork style, hammer, torx bit t-51 for front spindle. vice grip, 8 inch extension, breaker bar or piece of pipe on 3/8 ratchet, 1 set of spring compressors, jack and 2 jack stands.

the only thing that gets tricky is the fact that the struts go into the spindle. so you have to hammer the spindle off the strut and use a hammer plus a jack pushing under the spindle than tapping the spindle to get the strut back on.

while the front took me 4 hours maybe and the rear maybe 1 hour. i took my time on the front. but i did cut my hand pulling the rear strut off the car. the rear struts are a bit more tricky to put on compared to the front you have to angle it in and push on it it to get it in place.

one thing that i would do to the spindles is clean the strut bore on the spindle with some sandpaper to clean the bore and put a bit of oil on it. one problem that i had was the strut top where the torx bit goes had rounded out. i used a vice grip on the strut rod real real tight so i could remove the nut so the spring would come out.

i think since the car has no real rust underneath a lot of the parst came off pretty easy. that made the install not much difficult.

the end result is a solid but still pretty smooth ride. i took it on the highway since i had to go to my girlfriend's appartment right after. at higher speed the car is a lot less stable and controlls better. i actually feel safer now. my stock suspension was just to soft i would be on the highway and the car felt to bouncy like i was riding a big body caddy or something. one thing i realy want to test is taking banked curves. with my stock suspesion banked curves were scary especialy the one on certain on and off ramps ive been through in the past. there is a lot less nose dive when braking. when accelerating the body seems more level and the rear doesnt squat. so when the imrc kicks in first gear the car shoots off harder. i had put in a svt rear sway bar prior to the struts and springs and the rear sway bar even helped my stock suspension. the bigger rear sway bar seemd to help kep the rear wheels grip better on turns. the full set up with shipping costed me $580.00 i was on a real tigth budget. all the parts are new except for the rear sway bar. now its just a matter of how long will the svt struts last. i hear a lot of different things. my car had around 74,500 miles thew day i did the install so ill just make a note of that. the car looks a lot better also. i dont hear any weird noises either but i do feel the road a bit more but its pretty comfortable.

talk to us about bump and rebound feelings please.

"at higher speed the car is a lot less stable and controlls better. i actually feel safer "

hmmm, a faux paux here was made

I have had the same set-up for about 2 years now and no problems...I did cut the bump stops as suggested in the "How To". I did however get adjustable Koni's in the last GB since it was such a good price so they will go on in the Spring.

Thanks for the notes. I'm getting ready to do this install, too.

oops i meant a lot more stable at high speeds. the car absorbs the bumps and dips well and isnt bouncy. the svt struts work well. there is plenty of travel since its not an extreme drop. from what i read the eibach pro kit is the least stiffest of all the lowering springs availiable. ill post up pics on my car domain page as soon as i clean my car.

I dont like my eibachs...

getlucky151 (aussy rum) why do you not like your eibachs

nice write up. 5hrs total is pretty fast. i spent 2-3 hrs just on rear, by myself though.
could you tell us how you got your Front struts in the spindle? like you said, there were many posts of people having trouble getting them in.
were you able to do the fronts by yourself, or did you have a second hand to help you install?

i wonder what size tires/wheels will fit in your new setup.

i did it all by myself in the driveway. when getting the struts back in you have to put the jack under the controll arm and raise up on the jack. while there is pressure on it tap the sides on the spindle and the spindle will slowly rise upward on the strut. once the strut tab reaces the spindle you have to line up the tab with the slot on the spindle. the spindles are real strong so dont be scared to put the hammer to it. best thing to do before putting the struts back in is to clean the strut bore on the spindle with sandpaper than put a bit of oil. withthe stock se 15 i dont have any kind of rubbing even when going over large bumps. im sure 17's or 18's would fit. im just gong to stick with the stock wheels for the sleeper look but i am considering a set of fsvt 17's .