Eibach install voids warranty?

howdy all,

i recently purchased an eibach pro kit for my p5, and have been checking around my area for prices on getting them installed. one mazda dealer i asked said that they would not do it for me, because it would void my manufacturer's warranty. is that true?

thanks for any responses.

rob
 
NO, not entirely,......just putting the springs on will NOT void any warrantee...

however....if damage occurs to your car BECAUSE of the springs...then the dealer is not required to cover that particular repair....

but if lets say your engine blows...or the tranny goes out...or the cigerette lighter stops working...or your head unit gives it up....well obviously THOSE things are NOT effected by the springs in anyway and they would be required to repair/replace them.
 
Ah yes, cigarette lighter. Most essential accessory. :)

I think I'll get the eibach kit, need at least 1 more inch drop! I would *LIKE* to have it installed by the dealer, and in an ideal world they would be happy to do so, but in the real world it is more likely they will start whining like little girls, err, kids and claim that anything that breaks after that is the lowered spring's fault.

Usually peeps have them installed by their own "preferred" dealer. Only pain is to towe down there to have it "uninstalled" if a closely related piece of the car fails.
 
That's the way the dealers are! They are out to make MONEY and installing parts that they do not sell is not their forte! They will tell you a BUNCH OF CRAP right away. Just like SIRNUKE said, if the part causes the failure of another part and I'm pretty sure it has to be within the same suspension system. THe dealer will not do anything for you, but something that does not relate to that area, they have to honor the warranty. Take the car to an independant shop to have it install and also do the alignment. Springs by themselves will not mess up the car, unless you do something very dumb or they are installed incorrectly (very doubtfull). GOOD LUCK BRO. :cool:
 
i spoke with another mechanic at that same mazda dealer, and he said that he would do it, but it would cost me $600 + another $80 for alignment! lol. this time they didn't say anything about the warranty. at that price...i wonder why!

i'm also checking around at other garages, and the lowest i've gotten a quote for so far was $430. is that realistic?
 
430 sounds a little high, i'd say 4-5hrs of labor 250-300 at the most depending on their labor rate...and 60-65 for a 4 wheel alignment. i think book time is 4 hours for changing out struts on our cars so anytime in that range is probably reasonable.
 
My dealer pretty kewl...

I asked them if they would install the same kit, and they were going to do it. But I guess the McPherson springs or whatever is stock has some sort of clamp that hold them in place. They said they didn't have the tools there to remove it, but they recommanded to Firestone or TiresPlus because they have the right tools to do the job. I was surprised they even offered other places to go.

They did also advise me that it would not void the warranty, but if something were to happen then they wouldn't be responsible.
 
FYI - copied this from Jet Performances web page:
Federal law prohibits a dealer from voiding your warranty just because you are using aftermarket speed equipment, with only two exceptions: the warranty can be voided if the aftermarket part causes damage or adversely affects the emissions or the emissions system. In recent documents produced by the SEMA (Specialty Equipment Market Association), a trade association-representing specialty automotive parts manufacturers, and the following quotes have been extracted:

"The vehicle manufacturer is not allowed to void the vehicle warranty just because aftermarket equipment is installed on the vehicle. This protection for consumers is the result of a parts self-certification program developed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA).

"Under the program, if a parts maker completes the EPA process of self-certifying its parts, the vehicle manufacturer cannot void the warranty even if the certified part has failed and is directly responsible for the warranty claim. In cases where such a failed aftermarket part is responsible for a warranty claim, the manufacturer must arrange a settlement with the part manufacturer, but the new vehicle warrant is not void under the law.

"If the failure to honor a claim involves the new-vehicle warranty, and it appears that the manufacturer is improperly denying a claim, the incident should be reported to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). The FTC is responsible for monitoring compliance with the warranty law; the agency's telephone number is 202/326-3128."
 
Related question.......and I've gotten different answers so far.....one on each side....
Since an alignment is needed after installing springs........could one bring it to the dealer if it's within the first year to have that done? Or are they going to say no cuz "if you hadn't installed the springs you wouldn't be needing an alignment". Seems to me....it shouldn't matter why the alignment is needed....just that it's needed.....without any explanation. Anyone have the scoop on this?

As for the price....I've been quoted about $390 for the springs and installation....and bout $60-80 for alignment.
 
I think that most people within this forum have their P5's lowered with either EIBACH or H&R or what have you springs. Most of us should know that if we get the springs change, well we have to get the car re-align again since you have to take the front end down. However, it is true that most DEALERS and such will be giving you a lot of crap when you do anything that involves aftermarket parts. It is all about MONEY and that they want to sell you ORIGINAL PARTS. If you go to a MAZDA dealer and tell them that you want the LOWER SPRINGS that they sell (THEY HAVE SOME LIKE THE MP3 TYPE). They will charge you an arm and a leg and some other parts of ur body to have it done, plus they will tell you that it has to be re-align again. If you get the springs on your own (PAY LESS) and if want them to do it, you'll get a bunch of B.S. You can do it yourself if you have the tools and facilities and then take it to have the alignment done by someone else or find a independant shop that will do it for you. It is all up to the person and what they want. This should be a DEAD subject right about now. :cool:
 
Ughz.....get up on the wrong side of the bed today did we??? If you're so maddened by the subject and want it to be dead.....simply unsubscribe from this thread. Save the attitude for a flame thread or something.
 
ShayShay said:
Ughz.....get up on the wrong side of the bed today did we??? If you're so maddened by the subject and want it to be dead.....simply unsubscribe from this thread. Save the attitude for a flame thread or something.

You go girl :p (snap SNap SNAP!)

we have a few sets of eibachs here ,check the post out in the classifieds
tom@kartboy.com
 
it all depends on the dealer...some dealers will have cool mechanics and help you out others...well won't...any time you put aftermarket parts on your car you get into a touchy area with warranties and such...

rob--is there any way you could install the springs yourself?? or get somebody to help you...it would definitely be cheaper to install yourself then just take it down to a different garage to get it all aligned...
 
i thought about doing it myself, but once i started finding articles online that mentioned the potential of loosing limbs when you remove the springs, i decided that it would be best to get it professionally done. :]

i ended up bringing it into a sunoco service station where i'm sort of friendly with the mechanic. he only charged me $150 and it only took a few hours.

i brought it into another shop the next day and got the alignment done for $60, and it feels really nice. the 1.2" to 1.4" doesn't sound like much on paper, but it really is dramatic once you see it in person.

one bad thing that came out of getting them installed at the sunoco station (they don't normally do this type of work) was that he somehow weakened one of the rear stabilizer bars. he said that it happened during the removal of the stock equipment, and that it would be safe to drive until i get a new one for him to put in. i've got one on order at a mazda dealer, and it was only $35. not that big of a deal... i hope!
 
Methinks Nuke neglected to welcome robgaloshes properly!

Rob, he'll be back with the requisite greeting...I'm sure of it. In the meantime - welcome, robgaloshes!
 

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