Hey guys, I'm planning to change my springs, and keep the stock shocks. The new springs will naturally be 1" to 1.5" lower than normal, but I'm not having it specially lowered. just changing the height to the new spring's natural height. I'm also getting medium strength springs, since I want something a little harder than normal, but not bone stiff feel.

Is this ok to do? or must I change the shocks as well? I'm not very well versed in suspensions systems. can someone explain a bit more to me?

 

you can keep your STRUTS and use new springs if you want

 

as rbbcustom said, you CAN keep your stock struts, but you will inevitably have to change them.. i know people here that have had lowering springs for more than 20k miles and still have no problems with their shocks. so go ahead and get new springs if you want, no need to worry now. the only thing is that very very very few companies make aftermarket struts for our cars, so if there ever comes a time that your struts blow, it will be very expensive to fix and find a replacement for. if you wanna go on the safe side, RRM just released the new tein coilovers and are relatively cheap for $889 for four shocks and four springs with ride height adjustability.. go with the springs for now, but keep in mind that you will have to change your struts somewhere in the future.. sorry for the long post.. i hope i was of some help

 

But if I do get a strut blown, can't I just replace it with an original piece? and keep the changed spring? would that affect the stability of the car?

 

that would be fine, and it would not GREATLY affect the stability of the car; it's just a question of priority and distribution of finances; if you have the ability now, get a good set of springs/shocks (ie TEIN coilovers from RRM) and you won't have to worry about it.

but, as has been said, if you simply replace the springs, you will inevitably have strut issues in the future.

 

Well, hopefully I get to sell my car (in the next 2 years) first before it blows... Heh...

 

It's ok to just change your springs, your stock struts will be able to hold for quite a decent amount of time (you don't intend to rally with this car do you? )

**As long as you don't get some cheap springs from some newspaper vendor at the MRT station for like $20...
**And don't ever be stupid enough to cut or burn your springs to save $$!!!

You get what you pay for.

 

No... I'm actually getting Espelier springs. Japanese made, cost a bit more than Tanabe springs... and they're a wee bit harder than the Tanabe. These should be ok right?

And by the way, why would the struts give way??? What would cause that?

 

i guess its because since your car is lower to the ground than it normally was, the shocks have a smaller rebound rate and therefore causes more stress on the struts when you go over bumps. so therefore, your shocks take more abuse due to a dropped car..........? like everyone says, dont expect to get a blown strut to happen one day just due to normal driving. it could blow maybe if you're rallying like a maniac . but other than that, no need to worry about new struts for a good 20k+ miles. and as for your springs, i say go with them.. sounds pretty damn good to me.

 

i've heard that eibach springs help to preserve your struts by asorbing shock better or something. someone told me that's why you need a spring compressor to install them.

 

Ahh... I see... but if thats the case, then by pure physics, more tension on the springs means less tension on the struts, which is why harder springs would be recommended...

Thanks guys...

 

I have the Progress Lowering Springs from RRM on the stock struts and they are fine. I have put about 10,000 miles on them and I haven't noticed anything wrong.

 

has any tried out the goldline springs?

second question, i already have 23k on my struts as is. if i lower it now how much life expectancy do you think i have left on them. or should i just save a little extra and replace them also?

 

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