Installing springs

[Mazda3X2]

So I should be getting hold of my Prokits today sometime.

I was wondering if anyone on here has installed a set of springs themselves. It seems like a do-able job with the right tools. Just wanted to get some opinions on it. It would be nice to save the $150 to go towards something else. My buddy is going to help me out and we are both mechanically inclined but have never done this before either.

I don't have a hoist available but do have an air compressor and would be borrowing spring compressors.

Thoughts or advice?

[aris]

If you are both mechanily inclined then you should have no problem doing it. If i rember correctly when me and my bro lowered my truck their was detailed instructions that came with it..so if you follow the instructions you should have no problem.

Good luck:bana

[Thrizzl3]

when i had my springs installed the fronts came off easily but the back was the pain because they had to drop some bar in the back but if the car is high enough off the ground im pretty sure it will be possible. is there any useful information on the manual on this?

[omalak]

I'm not too mechanically inclined i went to speedtech they did it for 120.

it seemed like alot of work to do the fronts. the rears were easy.. assuming you can get the car 6-7 feet off the ground..

the front took a while they had to stick in a bar and like bang it down with a mallet lol

[WhiteSpeed3]

backs are easy to do just 1 bolt and pry down on the plate where the bottom of the spring sits and u should be able to pull it out

the front are easy at the top but the bottom of the shock, make sure u use some penetrating fluid and ur gonna have to hit it with a mallet then use the spring compressor and u should be good front there.

PS. make sure to cut your bump stops

[Mazda3X2]

PS. make sure to cut your bump stops

?

[Donutz]

I don't think you need to cut your bump stops for prokits.

Search for this topic using the search engine. I believe a guy diy'd his springs last summer (if I have time I'll look it up for you). Iirc, he rented the spring compressor from cdn tire.

[Whosit]

I don't think you need to cut your bump stops for prokits.

Search for this topic using the search engine. I believe a guy diy'd his springs last summer (if I have time I'll look it up for you). Iirc, he rented the spring compressor from cdn tire.

You don't have to cut the stops for the prokit....

[Hives]

Goodluck on the install. Hope it works out well!

[Iceman_F1]

I just got mine done last Wednesday and was well worth the $100 and 1 hour of my time to get Street Performance to do it for me. The backs looked like they were easy but the fronts had a few problems.

[Whosit]

I did mine a few weeks ago and here is the issues I see being the hardest. I had trouble free the bolts for the sway bay connectors (end links?) and ended up stripping the inside where the allen key goes.... I managed to hammer a torx bit it and get it to work. Getting the lower control arm off the strut tower took a small sledge and a 2x4. It comes off slow but it does come off. People might tell you to get a camber kit but when I got my alignment done it was at the maximum allowed of -2.3 (that number might be off) but was still within tolerances so I did not bother with the camber kit. It took me about 2.5 hours to do both sides.

[Fuman]

PS. make sure to cut your bump stops
you run the risk of rubbing if you do it.
I'm lower than the OP, and I kept my bump stops.

[Mazda3X2]

Thanks for the advice guys.

Still not sure if I want to give this a shot or not. If Street Performance was closer I would just go there for the price.

[WhiteSpeed3]

you run the risk of rubbing if you do it.
I'm lower than the OP, and I kept my bump stops.

i dont know on every eibach kit i'v ever seen it tell your to cut the bump stops

im on sportlines and cut my bump stops and i got no probs

[Fuman]

i dont know on every eibach kit i'v ever seen it tell your to cut the bump stops

im on sportlines and cut my bump stops and i got no probs

check under your wheel well, I've a huge tear in my wheel well cover from getting my bump stops cut. (I was on s-techs at the time), i've a different setup now.

The point of bump stops is to give additional travel for struts, to give a better ride.
Two potential problems arises:
1) bottoming out, rubbing and related issues
2) If you struts are not meant to be compressed so much, you maybe damaging your struts.

edit: koni's tech.pdf (http://www.koni-na.com/pdf/tech.pdf) search for bump stop.
its some where on page 3

[Gizzmo_jr]

Eibach recommends you cut your bump stops on Sportlines only, Prokits you can keep them

[bunchi]

a lil bit off topic but... question... is it me or did anybody feel the ride on the prokit has harsh for the first week after installation and got better after that? or I just got used to it?

[STeeLy]

I think I just get used to it.. I mean, when you hit bumps on prokits, no matter how long, you still feel it more than stock springs

[Fuman]

I think I just get used to it.. I mean, when you hit bumps on prokits, no matter how long, you still feel it more than stock springs
i think most lowering springs will make your ride harsher.
I got used to mine.
However, if I don't keep my tire pressure in check, any driving session longer than 30 minutes, I experience back pain.
edit: do people with prokits experience the pain issue I am getting?

[bluemazda3]

no back pains for me..

[DumpInfo]

Got my springs installed today (speedtech $120)...and going from stock springs to eibach springs definitely is a drop. I'm not sure whether I was too hyped up about the idea of dropping the ride or whether the drive home was smooth as hell. I like it alot!

btw nice meeting you Jason!

[bunchi]

Got my springs installed today (speedtech $120)...and going from stock springs to eibach springs definitely is a drop. I'm not sure whether I was too hyped up about the idea of dropping the ride or whether the drive home was smooth as hell. I like it alot!

btw nice meeting you Jason!

enjoy! :) now get some rubbers on your new rims and slap them on already :)

[SiLENTSNiPE]

good luck with the install.. i'm going to get mine installed at street performance from jimmy. i hope it's still $100

[jonjon72]

Got the Pro Kits installed this morning at Street Performance. The ride is definitely more stiffer than stock and swerving every chance I get to avoid potholes, even the smaller ones. Large speed bumps are bad.

They recommended that I get the alignment done after a couple of weeks. Has anyone else done that? I don't mind getting it done but will do that after I throw on my summers and get the front shocks replaced.

Even though the 3 handles well right off the bat, the pro kits bring it a level up for sure.

[omalak]

i got my pro-kits in last week...

one thing i noticed... not sure if its normal

when i dry turn the steering wheel (turn wheel while car is stopped, for example when reversing into a parking spot) i hear creeking sounds.. not too loud but subtle i hear them..

this sound isnt present when i turn the steering while the car is moving...

Is the sound occuring because the wheels are 18 and there is more wheel to turn?

I find myself trying to go around every pot hole as well lol regardless of size.. ride does feel harsher though.. but i'm sure i will get use to it

[aris]

I find myself trying to go around every pot hole as well lol regardless of size.. ride does feel harsher though.. but i'm sure i will get use to it

When i had my truck it was lowered and i never got used to the harsher ride..it was a pain in the a%& to drink a coffee in it...but it looked good..hahah

[bunchi]

doesn't matter if ur lowered or not, you should avoid potholes anyway :)

[omalak]

doesn't matter if ur lowered or not, you should avoid potholes anyway :)

yes, but now it's just that i find myself driving with more awarness...
hmm someone needs to do a research study..

lowered cars = more alert drivers haha :chuckle

so anyone have an idea about the creeking noise that i get when doing a dry turn? (turning one car is on and in 1 location)

[froggy]

i got my pro-kits in last week...

one thing i noticed... not sure if its normal

when i dry turn the steering wheel (turn wheel while car is stopped, for example when reversing into a parking spot) i hear creeking sounds.. not too loud but subtle i hear them..

this sound isnt present when i turn the steering while the car is moving...

Is the sound occuring because the wheels are 18 and there is more wheel to turn?

I find myself trying to go around every pot hole as well lol regardless of size.. ride does feel harsher though.. but i'm sure i will get use to it

I think you've hit it right on the head. One of the warnings that you get for purchasing aftermarket wheels is that it could put extra stress on the steering pump. although with 18's I don't think it should be a problem the speed comes with 18's if i'm not mistaken and I don't think that they have a different power steering pump or rack

[omalak]

I think you've hit it right on the head. One of the warnings that you get for purchasing aftermarket wheels is that it could put extra stress on the steering pump. although with 18's I don't think it should be a problem the speed comes with 18's if i'm not mistaken and I don't think that they have a different power steering pump or rack

Then the sound i hear should not be the steering pump :chuckle what could it be

[aris]

creeking noise

Give it time to settle...it should stop after a while..once they settle

[jonjon72]

Hmm. You have me a bit worried. Tried the dry turn and no sound at all. I'll be putting on the 18's next weekend and let you know if I have the same problem.

And yes, I also seem to be more aware of all the potholes and bumps on the road. Whoever drives behind me must think I must be drunk! :chuckle

[STeeLy]

Lowering springs are harsher, no doubt

and I don't get pain... I don't think lowering your car really has an effect on your back.

[omalak]

Hmm. You have me a bit worried. Tried the dry turn and no sound at all. I'll be putting on the 18's next weekend and let you know if I have the same problem.

And yes, I also seem to be more aware of all the potholes and bumps on the road. Whoever drives behind me must think I must be drunk! :chuckle

please let me know what you find when your wheels are on :)

[06Touring3]

Lowering springs are harsher, no doubt

and I don't get pain... I don't think lowering your car really has an effect on your back.

I'm going to agree. I've been driving mine lowered for a few months now and don't notice any back pain. But I also don't suffer from any sort of back problems or chronic back pain so I'm not the best source for information. Just lending my $0.02


However, I'm on Progress Springs and the spring rates are almost exactly the same as the stock springs but the drop is the same as Pro Kits

[Fuman]

Lowering springs are harsher, no doubt

and I don't get pain... I don't think lowering your car really has an effect on your back.
thats good to know.
time to see the doctor..

[froggy]

However, I'm on Progress Springs and the spring rates are almost exactly the same as the stock springs but the drop is the same as Pro Kits

How does the price of the progress springs compare to the pro kits. I'm happy with the stiffness of the suspension the way it is i just need it lowered a bit.

[STeeLy]

thats good to know.
time to see the doctor..

Unless you hit a lot of pot holes, that might be a possible cause... since the springs are stiffer, you'll feel it more.

[aris]

Any pics of the prokit installed on your car?

[2hit6]

Got my springs installed at B2 Motorsport for $150