new springs=new struts?

[jeg0024]

Ok, im tired of thread jacking and off-topic thread whoring so here it is....

Im getting a set of goldline springs from JOMO tomorrow and I have a few questions.

Is it worth paying someone to do the installation job right or take the risk and do it myself to save money?

Do I really need new struts? I have 62k on the stockers. Is there gonna be a difference in drop or ride quality thats worth the money to get new struts?

Oh, and if anyone in town wants to help me install my stuff let me know.

Thanks


And modsthis was the only somewhat relevant sub-forum that allowed me to post, please move it to its correct place, thanks again.

 

[FSCatalyst]

People say theres a risk of crapping out your struts too early with aftermarket springs. I think if you drove sensibly and not play circuit racing around your streets or anything putting extreme stress on your suspension.. then it should be good.

I think you should save up for also the new struts. Since if you just install aftermarket springs, you would have to get an alignment anyways.. might as well do it all in one shot.


As for doing the install yourself... Honestly its not too hard. A couple bolts on top and removing the spindle and taking off the nuts off the bottom of the strut. The only difficulties is probably removing the ball joint and tie rod end..well more force than first timers are comfortable with. If you give yourself a day its not too bad. Oh a Long Ass breaker bar works wonders if you don't have the air tools too!

 

[jeg0024]

People say theres a risk of crapping out your struts too early with aftermarket springs. I think if you drove sensibly and not play circuit racing around your streets or anything putting extreme stress on your suspension.. then it should be good.

I think you should save up for also the new struts. Since if you just install aftermarket springs, you would have to get an alignment anyways.. might as well do it all in one shot.


As for doing the install yourself... Honestly its not too hard. A couple bolts on top and removing the spindle and taking off the nuts off the bottom of the strut. The only difficulties is probably removing the ball joint and tie rod end..well more force than first timers are comfortable with. If you give yourself a day its not too bad. Oh a Long Ass breaker bar works wonders if you don't have the air tools too!

Air tools...standing by and ready!

Im pretty confedent in doing it myself, dispite what my dad thinks, but I dont trust other people with my car anyways. I think my really only question should be ...(just as long as its possible to do on my own)is it worth the money to get new struts now?

 

[jeg0024]

If I go the new strut route does it really matter which brand or type I get? Or would replacement OEM struts be fine?

 

[jeg0024]

I think im just gonna slap in the new springs and let the struts use up the rest of their life untill I get a job. Sence any shop around here wouldn't install my springs do you think later down the road when I have these springs and the stock struts are shot that they will change them for me or not? I still dont know though, am I gonna regret not getting new struts if I do this?

 

[ProtoType5]

I would begin with not going to a "National" tire center type store and get a quote from some other professionals on the install cost...

I would NOT pay $300 bucks to have my springs installed...bottom line..

Sidenote...One of my stockers has begun to crap out after a year with my Espelirs...Now I'm shopping for the struts....

 

[jeg0024]

I would begin with not going to a "National" tire center type store and get a quote from some other professionals on the install cost...

I would NOT pay $300 bucks to have my springs installed...bottom line..

Sidenote...One of my stockers has begun to crap out after a year with my Espelirs...Now I'm shopping for the struts....

The local "tuner shop" quoted me the $350. The national stores wont install them, but I was wondering if they would refuse to do struts in the future because of them being installed?

But I probably still have some life in the stock struts though, so it would still be ok to wait swap them out in a year or so when I acually have some money. Because I have the money for the springs in my pocket, going to go pick them up in a few hours, but the struts or installation would have to come out of my credit card for the time being. Id rather just rent the spring compressor and swap the springs out and see how long the stock struts last. I think this is what im gonna do unless anyone advises otherwise, ill give it a untill wed to get some opinions in here and then there going on lol. Thanks though.

 

[Captain KRM P5]

since you have to remove the struts to change springs anyhow, save yourself the time if not the money on doing a double install. its like people who come me and say "ken i want a flywheel and clutch but i can't afford both so i'll do just the flywheel now." it just makes sense to wait a little longer, save a few more bucks and do both.

as for wearing out the stock struts faster with lowering springs, thats generally true. really depends on the spring you are going with. my racing beats i put on before i hit the 20,000 mile mark pretty much had my struts killed by 60,000 miles. i don't drive like a maniac per se either. but like its been said above, more pedestrian driving - coupled with a less aggressive spring - will lengthen the life of your struts.

 

[wwpms6]

i have a set of Tokico Illumina 5 Way Adjustable Shocks for sale still in the box, never opened. $515 shipped

 

[mickeyreategui]

double install!!!

 

[chuyler1]

I'm not going to tell you what to do but here's my position. I installed Espelir springs at 35K and left the stock struts. I am now at 75K on the same setup. The car handles fine.

However, if you are going to pay someone to install the springs, you might as well replace the struts since you are already at 62K. If you are going to do it yourself, you will be fine to wait a year or so.

 

[JoshP5]

I wouldn't even put goldlines in my trunk. From what I've heard, they're the worst springs ever.

 

[jeg0024]

Thanks for all the replys guys, but im stuck once again...im guessing I didnt get the right type of spring compressor? How the freak does this thing work? The instructions say to remove the strut while its still on the car and then insert this to remove the spring, makes no sence. I see how it would work, but the thing dont fit inside there with the struts there, I tried it on the outside but it isnt compressing it enough, maybe I need 2?

 

[evilmonkeyMSP]

PMing you.

 

[evilmonkeyMSP]

pic for reference:

 

[jeg0024]

pic for reference:

See thats what I thought, but when I have it on there theres only like an inch or so to compress? And only on one side, the other side seems fully out?

 

[evilmonkeyMSP]

check PM, they should have given you 2 compressors, 1 for each side of the spring...

See thats what I thought, but when I have it on there theres only like an inch or so to compress? And only on one side, the other side seems fully out?

 

[jeg0024]

check PM, they should have given you 2 compressors, 1 for each side of the spring...

thanks, they gave me a little kit thing and it only had that one in there, its made to go in the middle of the spring. But compressing each side only an inch will be enough that I wont kill myself trying to get the strut out? And will I be able to compress the new springs enough to even get them back on if I can only go one inch?

 

[evilmonkeyMSP]

lol i dont know what kinda crazy compressor they gave you but yeah, 1 inch is enough. You're just trying to get the tension off the spring...

 

[jeg0024]

lol i dont know what kinda crazy compressor they gave you but yeah, 1 inch is enough. You're just trying to get the tension off the spring...

well im gonna go see if the other store has a different type or if they can give me another one. Will one inch be enough for me to get the new springs back on as well? Thanks for the help man!