Completed: Suspension issue, Page 3 finished update / Tons of pics Options

[snapshotgt]

lowering setup:

1.) tein lowering springs (new)
2.) bilstein struts (new)

Wheels:

7th gen gts with 205/55/16 tires

Issue(s):

My crossmember is a non-factory to work with the V6, and i'm worried about hitting it too much. The V6 weighs about 75-100 lbs more than the stock 5sfe, and less than the 3s. The "extra" weight could be causing it to be lower (more than what tein calls for) but it seems that 74-100 lbs would not be much. Before anyone asks, yes - these are legit teins. They really seemed to have slammed the car instead of the 1.4" in the fount. I've been looking at bump stops, and thinking they might help. As you can imagine when i'm driving 60 and hit a pot hole or big bump it can be bad.


Pictures to explain (how do they compare to your tein lowering? - if you have them):

Front drivers side:



two fingers (front):



Rear drivers side:



three fingers (rear):



pass side front:



pass rear:



crossmember:




side view:



Here is a short video of going over a speed bump. Watch the WHOLE thing so you can see the bounce in the 2nd pass. I made the pass by putting my crossmember in the center where there is a small gap in the bump. You can imagine at higher speeds...

[snapshotgt]

Here is what i'm doing:

1.) Replacing front bilsteins with new ones (found a good deal, trying them once more)
2.) Getting bump stops
3.) Getting TRD or eibach 1" drop lowering springs (selling teins - too low for my application)

I have not ordered the springs or bump stops yet, so i'll probably not get to this for another week or two.

[jgreening]

Here is what i'm doing:

1.) Replacing front bilsteins with new ones (found a good deal, trying them once more)
2.) Getting bump stops
3.) Getting TRD or eibach 1" drop lowering springs (selling teins - too low for my application)

I have not ordered the springs or bump stops yet, so i'll probably not get to this for another week or two.

My recommendation: dollar up to the Koni yellows. Stock or stock replacement struts are not meant to be used with ANY lowering spring. Alot of us have done it with good results - at first. But then, the struts wear relatively quickly and we are in the same boat. Frankly, if you keep your teins and buy Koni's, it won't be THAT much more expensive.

[snapshotgt]

Got the bilsteins. I'm concerned though because i can push the shaft all-the-way into the insert. It releases slowly (good). But, i'm worried how easy it is to compress with my bare strength - let alone a car.

My recommendation: dollar up to the Koni yellows. Stock or stock replacement struts are not meant to be used with ANY lowering spring. Alot of us have done it with good results - at first. But then, the struts wear relatively quickly and we are in the same boat. Frankly, if you keep your teins and buy Koni's, it won't be THAT much more expensive.

Koni's are pretty near a price of some coilovers ($900ish). Am i wrong? ~ $700ish?

I like the aggressive look of the teins, but with my crossmember being so low, its almost dangerous. I've bottomed out on speed bumps ect, in fact, 2 bolts down there are slightly bent because i drove unknowingly over one of those manhole filler ports at a gas station.

I'm looking at some TRDs with "less" of a drop - or else back to ugly stock springs.

[jgreening]

Got the bilsteins. I'm concerned though because i can push the shaft all-the-way into the insert. It releases slowly (good). But, i'm worried how easy it is to compress with my bare strength - let alone a car.

My recommendation: dollar up to the Koni yellows. Stock or stock replacement struts are not meant to be used with ANY lowering spring. Alot of us have done it with good results - at first. But then, the struts wear relatively quickly and we are in the same boat. Frankly, if you keep your teins and buy Koni's, it won't be THAT much more expensive.

Koni's are pretty near a price of some coilovers ($900ish). Am i wrong? ~ $700ish?

I like the aggressive look of the teins, but with my crossmember being so low, its almost dangerous. I've bottomed out on speed bumps ect, in fact, 2 bolts down there are slightly bent because i drove unknowingly over one of those manhole filler ports at a gas station.

I'm looking at some TRDs with "less" of a drop - or else back to ugly stock springs.

Koni's can be had for less than $600. Here is a link to one I found with a quick google search:

import horizon

This would be a solution that will last awhile. So, yes, its a bit more expensive but considering you wouldn't have to buy springs, it would be close. I say return those bilstiens and go with the koni's and try keeping the teins. If you are still having a problem, go to the prokit. The TRD's are MUCH lower than the prokits - any misinformation on here that TRD's are a one inch drop is simply not true. They are closer to 2".