Struts Dont Fit!?!?!?!

[iboostdoyou]

I was at my shop installing my new suspension... I'm on an extreme budget right now and couldnt wait to get the springs on the car so no comments on the actual setup please. I have intrax springs on gr2's... i got the front's on first with no problems. I went to do the rear and when I put the springs onto the struts, the spring was fully DEcompressed and was still about an inch away from the pressure plate on the lowest position of the strut rod. In other words, the strut is too long for it to hold the spring compressed ... what are my options to try and get these things on the car without shelling out another $200 for rear struts that will fit better?

 

[BigRand]

To be totatlly honest man, with an extream budget you get what you pay for, but I'm sure you already know that, so I won't b*tch about that to you.

I'd put your stock shocks back on and ride just on springs until you can afford to get a real short stroke system. Suspension is a very technical thing, don't go cheap on it, stick with stock if you have too.

 

[Zex4g63]

This is normal when installing lowering springs on stock length struts. Once the weight of the car is on them you won't know........other than the crappy ride from the GR-2S.

 

[FORMONTOYA]

if the gr2 is a coil over kit...sleeve over damper...then with the pearch at its lowest setting the spring will not hit the upper hat. i have ground controls on a set of illuminas dropped roughly 2" and when the car goes up in the air for repaires my back springs come off the top hat (just be aware of this, because when it comes back down you will need to make sure that everything sets properly. also, sometimes when i enter a steep driveway at an angle, i will hear a popping sound from the upper washer re-seating itself when the last tire comes down) that is just how it is with coil over kits. as stated...if you can not live with this, you will have to spend more money for a true set of coil overs, or maybe you can find helper/tender springs for it (can not remember one required).

jim

 

[Zex4g63]

They are not a coil over set up.

 

[iboostdoyou]

I know the gr2's suck, but my stockers are so incredibly blown that ANYTHING is better than those stock ones. The only thing that I am afraid of with putting the rear springs/struts on as it is and letting the weight of the car compress the strut onto the spring, is the chance that with harsh driving, the spring will pop out of place and the rear half of my car will fall off the suspension setup. But if you say it can be done, I will give it a try

 

[1990GSXholiday]

I'm very new to this forum and logged in because I'm in search of a Good spring set for my 1990 GSX. I already have a set of KYB AGX's but I don't want to wast my time installing them till I get some new springs as well.

I also drive a 1997 Mirage, it's a peppy daily driver (5speed only) and I'm planning on replacing the blown stock suspension with KYB GR2's and lowering springs.

I've never been one to go for the coil-over-sleeve kit, either drop the CA$H for a REAL coil-over suspension system, or just upgrade both shock/strut and a good set of springs.

BUT Hearing you guys Dis out the GR2s, I'm having second thoughts about puttin these on my Mirage. I had the AGX's on the Mirage but they were WAY too STIFF (with just oem springs). Then again it's a very light car, and the AGXs were not designed for it, luckily for me the AGXs also fit my 1st Gen AWD.

Bottom line questions:
Are GR2's that crappy that I should not waste my time with them for the Mirage, or do they simply suck on the Eclipse?
What is the best Bang4Buck Spring set I could use on the GSX with KYB AGX (thats the adjustables)?

Thanks for the help !
-Joe

 

[RamenPride]

I went to do the rear and when I put the springs onto the struts, the spring was fully DEcompressed and was still about an inch away from the pressure plate on the lowest position of the strut rod. In other words, the strut is too long for it to hold the spring compressed

that's normal and expected when installing lowering springs....

you have to do some really harsh driving (ie. flying over bumps and catching air) for the supsension to drop far enough for the spring to come unseated...

and many people who don't need adjustability have lowering springs on GR-2's without any issues. I had GR-2's on ST springs on my old eclipse for years and they never blew.

 

[iboostdoyou]

you have to do some really harsh driving (ie. flying over bumps and catching air) for the supsension to drop far enough for the spring to come unseated...

well what about when i throw my car up on the lift to change the oil? The springs will probably come unseated then unless there is something i am missing

 

[RamenPride]

well what about when i throw my car up on the lift to change the oil? The springs will probably come unseated then unless there is something i am missing

yes, they will come unseated and should fall back into place when you lower the car on the lift....

 

[Talesin]

And whatever you do, don't set the AGXes to '1' on the back with the lowering springs. Previous owner of my current GSX did that, and ****ed up the dust boots. Completely crushed down and split. I'm worried about crap getting into the piston now. :b I'd suggest running no lower than 4 on the rear, if you have a 1.5" drop.

 

[iboostdoyou]

And whatever you do, don't set the AGXes to '1' on the back with the lowering springs. Previous owner of my current GSX did that, and ****ed up the dust boots. Completely crushed down and split. I'm worried about crap getting into the piston now. :b I'd suggest running no lower than 4 on the rear, if you have a 1.5" drop.

well thanks for the insight, but i am neither running adjustable shocks, nor a 1.5" drop. I have a 2" drop on non-adjustables