HELP! Tokico/Eibach Install Issues!!

[mnetwork]

I'm doing my Tokico/Eibach install this weekend.. I took apart the rear-right strut.. I used the original upper strut mount and the eibach prokit spring and used the tokico strut. I have all new rubber parts and I put everything back together, but after I do it the spring isn't tight in the assembly. I don't know what is going on. Any ideas?

 

[hopwoodp]

So, I am guessing that the car is on the ground, is that right? When I installed mine, I had no issues what so ever. If the car is off the ground, then I would not worry. That happens when you first put them in and the has is still off the ground. Make sure you re-position the upper rubber cushion so that the spring sits properly. Double check all your springs and make sure the upper rubber cushion is sitting on top of the springs correctly. If it still does not work, take some pictures of the problem and post them up.

 

[mnetwork]

No... the car is not on the ground.. this is the first corner I am working on and when I re-assembled the corner.. the spring wasn't really tight like the old assembly was. I compared it to the left-rear corner (which I also took out). The left-rear assembly hasn't been taken apart yet and when I look at that assembly it is very very tight.. Is this how this usually works? This is the first time I've ever done a suspension setup.

 

[jbramble2]

This is totally normal. The Eibach spring is actually shorter than the factory spring. Compare the other rear Eibach you haven't installed to the rear factory one you just took out and you'll see the difference.

 

[Spades]

Did you buy the springs used from someone? If so, its possible that the previous owner cut the springs

 

[mnetwork]

This is totally normal. The Eibach spring is actually shorter than the factory spring. Compare the other rear Eibach you haven't installed to the rear factory one you just took out and you'll see the difference.

Does this sound right to anyone else??

 

[mnetwork]

Did you buy the springs used from someone? If so, its possible that the previous owner cut the springs

They are used, but I know they aren't cut, you can tell. The original paint still goes over the ends..

 

[DGajre777]

This is totally normal. The Eibach spring is actually shorter than the factory spring. Compare the other rear Eibach you haven't installed to the rear factory one you just took out and you'll see the difference.

What ^^^ said is right. That is normal. After you put it in the car, the weight of the car will compress the springs and you can tighten it a lot more, that's what I did.

BTW, if you are installing it in the rear and don't have a camber kit, pick one up from RRE.

 

[mnetwork]

What ^^^ said is right. That is normal. After you put it in the car, the weight of the car will compress the springs and you can tighten it a lot more, that's what I did.

BTW, if you are installing it in the rear and don't have a camber kit, pick one up from RRE.

I know about the camber kits.. I'm gonna do them eventually.. But, what do you mean you can tighten it more when the car is back on the ground??

 

[dsmulla]

I think what he means is that when the car is put on the ground it will put stress on the spring. Therefore, that will compress the spring and lower the car to the height specified. Just make sure the spring sits properly in between the strut mount and the strut lip at the bottom of the strut when you eventually jack down the car.

 

[mnetwork]

Ok.. well I got the rear all done last night.. I may start the front today, and I was looking at it last night.. What is the easiest way to get the front struts and springs out??

 

[DGajre777]

I think what he means is that when the car is put on the ground it will put stress on the spring. Therefore, that will compress the spring and lower the car to the height specified. Just make sure the spring sits properly in between the strut mount and the strut lip at the bottom of the strut when you eventually jack down the car.

Yup! That's what I meant. As ^^ said, make sure the bottom of the spring is at the strut "stop" before you lower it.

Ok.. well I got the rear all done last night.. I may start the front today, and I was looking at it last night.. What is the easiest way to get the front struts and springs out??

The fronts are a b*tch compared to the rears. This is the easiest way - http://www.vfaq.com/mods/GCkit-2G.html

 

[mnetwork]

Is there any way to do this with out loosening those sway bar end links? I can't get them off... It's so tight. and I can't even fit an impact gun in there..

 

[DGajre777]

Is there any way to do this with out loosening those sway bar end links? I can't get them off... It's so tight. and I can't even fit an impact gun in there..

No. You need to take the sway bar links off so that you can take the fork out. There are 2 sides to the end links, if I remember correctly. I remember using a socket in the front and a socket in the back.

 

[bmoha2]

the threads in the nuts hold the bolt, your car is a little newer than mine but if your car has been exposed to the elements they might be on there permanent they are pretty cheap tho and easy to get from the dealer.

 

[mnetwork]

Even if I cut the endlink.. How do I get the rest of the endlink of it out of the fork.. Should I just cut the endlink in half? How did you guys cut yours...

 

[mnetwork]

I just started working on the car again.. I don't understand this design.. On the end link is a nut, but whe you loosen it the whole shaft that the nut is on just spins.. what is this about??

 

[DGajre777]

I just started working on the car again.. I don't understand this design.. On the end link is a nut, but whe you loosen it the whole shaft that the nut is on just spins.. what is this about??

It spins because you have to hold the back side of the endlink bolt with a box-end wrench to keep from spinning while you remove the nut with a socket.

 

[mnetwork]

It's retarted though.. the 14mm nut on the other side is sooo thin that with enought force the wrench slips off.. I felt it start to move, but then the wrench slipped off.. I can't get a good enough grip on the other side and of course I can't fit a flare wrench on it... How do you get a good enough grip??

 

[DGajre777]

It's retarted though.. the 14mm nut on the other side is sooo thing that with enought force the wrench slips off.. I felt it start to move, but then the wrench slipped off.. I can't get a good enough grip on the other side and of course I can't fit a flare wrench on it... How do you get a good enough grip??

I got mine off with a box end wrench. All you need to do is hold the other side while you undo the front.

 

[mnetwork]

I finally got it off... A wrench wouldn't do on the little side.. I had to take mutliple attempts with the vice grips.. I'll be using that on the other side when I get to it.. now for my next speed bump....... The bolt that clamps the strut fork to the strut.. I've been spraying this and hitting it with the impact gun and it won't budge... Any ideas?

 

[DGajre777]

Spray it with PB blaster and let it sit for a few minutes before you try to take it off.

 

[dsmulla]

Yes PB blaster is good but if it still does not come free then I guess torching it is the only possibility.

 

[bmoha2]

got too heavy with the torch and you blow up your strut. If you have to heat it up concentrate the heat on the cast iron fork and not on the strut. Don't forget to take out the bolt on the backside or you wont get anywhere. Use a penetrant lubricant and a big f in hammer.

 

[mnetwork]

Just got everything done.. I found a torch that I forgot I had.. Used that to get the clamps off.. Broke one of the bolts.. found a bolt at Lowes with the same threading but a little longer.. Got 7 washers along with it to space it out evenly.. Fixed that..

The front sway bar.... NIGHTMARE.. And word of advice.. Just buy new endlinks, I did and it made things a lot easier, although they are not cheap. They are like 67 a piece. I had to unbolt both lower control arms and both of those metal plates that have like 5-6 bolts that are right next to the lower control arms just to get the sway bar out.. And then getting it in was a project too.. Haven't cursed that much in months..

After all that everything else went smootly.. I'm having the guy who is doing my alignment do my rear sway bar because I didn't want to deal with it...

Took the car out on RT-80.. and all I can say is ... I love it.. it is a totally different car.

Thank you for all your help everyone...