Eibach springs install instructions

[heybeef4212]

When installing the springs is the stamp of Eibach springs supposed to be showing (facing the tire)? Does it matter the way the spring is put in? I'm concerned about it because I measured the four locations and three had the same distance between the tire and car. On the fourth the spring does not show the Eibach stamp on it. I was wondering if maybe the guy put the spring in wrong.

 

[btolenti]

the pigtails on the front springs (bottom of the spring) should be 1/2" or so from the indentation in the spring pocket so they don't click or make noise.

The pigtails on the rear (bottom of spring also) should be toward the back of the car on both sides.

 

[DerekStangGT]

the pigtails on the front springs (bottom of the spring) should be 1/2" or so from the indentation in the spring pocket so they don't click or make noise.

The pigtails on the rear (bottom of spring also) should be toward the back of the car on both sides.

actually, the rear spring pigtails should be facing towards the driver side, the left side when looking from the back of the car. i made that mistake already and had to correct it. not fun

 

[heybeef4212]

Can I tell that by looking at the spring without taking the tire off? Or do I need to take it into a car shop? I'm not too mechanical as you can tell.

 

[btolenti]

actually, the rear spring pigtails should be facing towards the driver side, the left side when looking from the back of the car. i made that mistake already and had to correct it. not fun

Yeah, that's what I meant. I just didn't explain it properly....

 

[DerekStangGT]

Can I tell that by looking at the spring without taking the tire off? Or do I need to take it into a car shop? I'm not too mechanical as you can tell.

you mean which way the spring end is facing? yeah. ive had to adjust the spring like that before. jack up the car w/ the weight off the wheels and you should be able to manually turn the springs by hand. just use some strenth, but not so much as to dislodge their "seating"

 

[btolenti]

I would think the rear springs could be turned if you jack up the car like DerekStangGT said, but I know my front springs were extremely hard to turn in their pockets, even with no weight on the front suspension. Plus, if you try and turn the front springs you could screw up how the bottom spring bushing is seated, if you are not careful....and could cause noise in the suspension if there is intermittent metal to metal contact.

 

[heybeef4212]

So if I just jack up the rear tire, and not take the tire off, I can turn the spring for the amount needed? The pig tail should be facing towards the driver's side. I believe right now the pig tail is facing the back of the car.

 

[DerekStangGT]

So if I just jack up the rear tire, and not take the tire off, I can turn the spring for the amount needed? The pig tail should be facing towards the driver's side. I believe right now the pig tail is facing the back of the car.

all correct sir

 

[twogts4us]

So if I just jack up the rear tire, and not take the tire off, I can turn the spring for the amount needed? The pig tail should be facing towards the driver's side. I believe right now the pig tail is facing the back of the car.

Right, but it might be tough with the tire still on...

 

[DerekStangGT]

Right, but it might be tough with the tire still on...

its actually easier w/ the tire on. the tire adds another 50 lbs or so to the axle which brings down the lower control arm. the rear springs turn a lot easier than the fronts. the fronts wont turn at all. youre screwed if you put those in wrong.

 

[heybeef4212]

I jacked the rear end up and took the tire off this afternoon. I tried twisting the spring, but the spring just wouldn't give. I'm just going to take into Mieneke tomorrow. It's too damn cold outside right now in Illinois. I'd have a much easier time if I was at home in the garage, but I'm up at college. Thx for the help.

 

[twogts4us]

OK, maybe a dumb question, but you didn't actually jack up the rear axle did you? Still, it might be tough to turn. What will make this simple is, along with jacking up in front of the rear wheel, and the help of another friend using a foot to push down on the hub, you should have no problem twisting the spring.

 

[twogts4us]

the fronts wont turn at all. youre screwed if you put those in wrong.

Oh, no doubt bro - when we did the spring swap on mine, the rears were easy. The front wasn't that bad...the hardest part was getting the OEM spring out. Even with every bit of tension out of the spring, it still needed a couple swift kicks and some motivation via a prybar. The disassembly and reassembly was pretty easy and straightforward. After one side, we did the other side in 1/2 the time.
Air tools make this job MUCH easier and wear mechanics gloves!

 

[heybeef4212]

We jacked it up in front of the tire. What do u mean by pushing down on the hub? And if I was gonna take another stab at it should I leave the tire on this time? Truthfully, I really don't wanna have to pay someone some more money to twist the spring half way around.

 

[twogts4us]

We jacked it up in front of the tire. What do u mean by pushing down on the hub? And if I was gonna take another stab at it should I leave the tire on this time? Truthfully, I really don't wanna have to pay someone some more money to twist the spring half way around.

Jacked up, the axle is hanging by the shock. Have a friend grab the fender lip with both hands and put a foot on the hub (with the wheel off obviously) and puuuuush down. As they push, you twist. Their pushing on the hub will push the axle down and take tension off of the spring.

 

[DerekStangGT]

Oh, no doubt bro - when we did the spring swap on mine, the rears were easy. The front wasn't that bad...the hardest part was getting the OEM spring out. Even with every bit of tension out of the spring, it still needed a couple swift kicks and some motivation via a prybar. The disassembly and reassembly was pretty easy and straightforward. After one side, we did the other side in 1/2 the time.
Air tools make this job MUCH easier and wear mechanics gloves!

true that, i had to use a 3ft prybar in addition to unbolting the A arm. the stock springs are just too dang long.