AGX Install?

[Pro3racer]

I'm picking up a set of KYB AGX's in a couple days, and will be joining them with a set of eibach pro-kit springs. My question is, with me installing new shocks and springs, do i need to re-use anything from my old stock setup? Doing the whole spring compressor thing isn't to hard, but i would rather just keep the old stuff off the car. Do i need to compress the eibachs to get them on the agx's? I know you can see what i'm asking if i'm not exactly saying it, i've never done suspension work before, and want to do it right the first time. Any new parts i might need, like factory parts that should be replaced?

 

[BoostinIT]

i have sportlines on agx's. you have to keep a couple things. first is the bump stop little rubber piece in the middle of the shock, and you might have to cut a little bit off. I just cut about 1.5" off of the top of the bump stop. And yes you are going to have to use a spring compressor, the fronts are still under alot of tension. The backs are not as bad but still use the compressor, makes things easier. One other thing you might want to do is buy the camber bolts for the back, my back tires have alot of neg. camber and the tires are wearing fast. I think eibach sells them.Other than that its not too bad just watch your cv boot when taking the shock out of the car, they rip easy, i know. Good luck!

 

[Pro3racer]

Ok thanks, what part(s) do i need to ave though, is it just the holder for the spring on the bottom(attaches to axle), or is there something on top too?

 

[BoostinIT]

aiite well this how they should look when you have them all put together. keep the dust boot, bumpstop, and obviously the entire upper portion of the suspension. And exactly how you take the old ones apart, put the new ones back together the same way, just in reverse. Hopefully this helps.. try searchin on vfaq.com for "how-to" im pretty sure they have it for agx's.

lata

 

[need2boostpsi]

how does the metal sleeve on the rear AGX's slide over the rear subframe mount? they don't seem like they would fit?

 

[jking29]

The 2 struts on the right are the fronts, the 2 shocks on the left are for the rear.

 

[need2boostpsi]

The 2 struts on the right are the fronts, the 2 shocks on the left are for the rear.

Yeah i understand that, but the rear struts have a metal ring in them shown in the photo, it doesn't want to slide over my rear subframe stub. so im seeing if you have to hammer it on or what?

 

[Auto RS T]

Clean the stub with a sanding disk or some sandpaper. It most likely has some built up rust. Then use some neversieze on it. The sleeve getting stuck on that stub is a common issue, I've had to cut them off before to remove them. If you hammer it on, you'll have to hammer it off later possibly damaging the shock when you have to make any repairs or upgrades back there.

 

[dikdiamond]

I am going with the same set-up as the OP,AGX's with Pro-Kit springs. Changing the bushings,ball joints for sure,and anything else that looks like it needs changed. My question deals with the bumpstops. I'm sure they are probably close to dry rotting(or already there). Should I go with an oem or aftermarket bumpstop? Currently my car is a DD,around 90 miles a day round trip,so I want to be somewhat comfortable.

 

[Auto RS T]

I went with KYB bumpstops and bellows. I run Tein S-Techs and they require cutting of the bumpstops to work correctly. What I ended up doing was having them send me a couple different bumpstops. One was factory length and the other style were shorter. I used the shorter stops because they were going to work perfectly with no modifications.

I would say its up to you to decide. Do the Pro Kits require bumpstop modification? Do you want to spend the money on an OEM stop just to cut it up?

TIP: Make sure you align the upper bearing plate alignment hole with the alignment hole on the front shocks. I use an extra long screwdriver to fit through there and line them up properly before releasing the spring tension. You may not even need a spring compressor for the rears, I didn't.

 

[dikdiamond]

Yeah I have to cut 20mm front and rear. Shorter bumpstops may be the way to go. I'm going to look into that. So,when your suspension does bottom out,how does it feel with the KYB's? And do you have any parts numbers,or where you purchased them?


Edit: Is this similar to what you used? This is a one-piece bumpstop and bellow from KYB. So far all I could find.

http://www.jcwhitney.com/wcsstore/jcwhitney/images/imagecache/G_30007G_CL_3.jpg

 

[Auto RS T]

The shorter stops that I used up front are KYB #SB103. The longer stops were KYB #SB101. I can't seem to find the rear P/N's numbers right now.

When the suspension bottoms out it is harsher than I would like in the rear (I didn't modify the rear stops), but the front feels good to me.

What you have pictured there is similar to what I used, but I got the two piece stop and bellows. The ones with the white stops and black bellows. I just clicked on a link to them that took me to an ebay auction, so I guess you can find them there. I picked them up through a warehouse at my work. Heres what the two piece looks like.

RockAuto Parts Catalog

 

[dikdiamond]

Thanks for those parts numbers! Summit Racing has them at a little higher price than the online stores,but it's nice to have a visual when buying. Plus I'm going to get my AGX's there.

Would it be overkill to replace any of the strut mounts or anything else that I would be using from my old suspension to the new?

 

[Auto RS T]

I replaced the front bearing plates when I did the install. The rubbers were in decent shape so I left those alone. I ended up finding the tops at napa for a decent price after some searching. You should be ok with what you have as long as they aren't making any noise or noticably worn.

 

[Auto RS T]

I was moving things around in the garage to make room for my car's winter build and I came across the KYB boxes that my stops came in. The part number for the rear stops are KYB# SB108.

 

[dikdiamond]

Thanks,I actually am looking up the prices for everything now. I have a tie rod end that needs replaced,and I don't have anywhere to work on my car...0 degree weather and outside auto maintenance DON'T go hand in hand...off to the mechanic she goes . Plus I had planned on replacing the ball joints,better now than later as well.

So,if I use KYB# SB103 and trim 20mm off of KYB# SB108 for the rear I should be good to go? Or maybe when I go to Summit they can find the short one for me?

 

[Auto RS T]

Yeh, working outside right now really sucks. I'm glad I've got the garage to keep the wind off me.

Yes, the #103 should work up front with no modifications. If 20mm is the right amount to cut off the #108 then yes the rears will be good to go. You may have to trial and error, but this should be easy to fix. What was important to me was to have the bellow suspended by the stop and not resting at the bottom where it wouldn't be protecting the shock shaft from debris. I'm not sure if Summit can find a shorter one, but it never hurts to ask. Sometimes people just don't want to work with you on things like this. Good luck.

 

[hereitcomes]

Im totally Hijacking this thread because the OP sold this car to me, and I am in need of assistance.

So...these AGX's are super duper un-streetable. Im not sure if the bumpstops were kept in the car or not, but being installed in 2005 how usable is this suspension? The slightest crack in the road or pothole will cause the wipers to go on from the force of the impact. It has been getting progressively worse, and I am thinking of replacing the suspension, or using parts from it. Can these Eibach springs loose the tension? I know struts can go bad especially from a rough ride.

Any input would be great. My GF's car has AGX's also and hers rides like a Caddy. I just want to enjoy my car again haha! Thanks guys!