How to fix bad handling after installing eibach 1.2" lowered springs?

[JohnG300c]

My C came with eibach 1.2" lowered springs. The handling is not good presumably because the stock shocks are too weak/wore out. When going over a pot hole the whole car jumps sideways and there's way to much body roll. When going into a narrow curve at around 65 MPH the car starts to roll too which is quite scary...

Has anybody experienced this and how is it fixed? Aftermarket shocks? Swaybars? Bricks in the trunk?

[lowaired`]

Originally Posted by JohnG300c

My C came with eibach 1.2" lowered springs. The handling is not good presumably because the stock shocks are too weak/wore out. When going over a pot hole the whole car jumps sideways and there's way to much body roll. When going into a narrow curve at around 65 MPH the car starts to roll too which is quite scary...

Has anybody experienced this and how is it fixed? Aftermarket shocks? Swaybars? Bricks in the trunk?

Check this website out this will tell all!!!
http://foohbar.com/lx_coilover_suspension.cfm

[JohnG300c]

Originally Posted by lowaired`

Check this website out this will tell all!!!
http://foohbar.com/lx_coilover_suspension.cfm

Thanks. I read through the page and looked at the eibach and the other sites but i still haven't found shocks that i can replace my stock shocks with. I rather not throw away my eibach springs in case i can find shocks that work with the springs.

Does anyone after-market shocks with the Eibach lowering springs?

[lukeinva]

Yeah you can get the eibach pro-damper kit I think its like $600. I got the sportslines and the handling improved emensly (sp)! I love going around corners no body roll or anything it just hugs the road! Sportslines give a 2" drop.

[JohnG300c]

Originally Posted by lukeinva

Yeah you can get the eibach pro-damper kit I think its like $600. I got the sportslines and the handling improved emensly (sp)! I love going around corners no body roll or anything it just hugs the road! Sportslines give a 2" drop.

Thanks! I didn't find the pro-damper shocks before because they don't show up if selecting "300C, 2WD, V8 (EXC. AWD, SRT8 S/LEV)" in their site. When choosing "(INC. SRT8, EXC. AWD)" they do show up.

I have the 1.6" pro-kit so swapping out the stock shocks with the pro-dampers should be exactly what i'm looking for. Do you know if it would make a difference/sense to get the anti-roll kit too? They are only $300 on Ebay but i won't get them if i wouldn't notice any difference...

Do you know if shocks can be installed without any specialty tools? I assume i have to do a full alignment after upgrading.

[lukeinva]

You can add the sway bars would make the car have better handling. I think you have to drop the whole rear end to get the rear sway bar in, not 100% on that but pretty sure. You dont need any special tools to replace the shocks. Just use a 12mm ratchet and a 7mm socket to take the bolt out of the top of the shock. They do make a special tool to remove that bolt but you can just use a socket and rachet thats what I used I am nt 100% on the bolt sizes either last time I put in springs was in may. If you dont know the bolt I am talking about open the hood and remove your cap backs there will be 3 bolts that hold the shock in. the one in the middle of the 3 is the one I am talking about. Make sure you use a spring compressor so the top doesnt pop off and hurt someone. I would get an alignment done after doing the work just so I knew it was done.

[JohnG300c]

Yep, a peek in the service manual reveals that i need a spring compressor. The rest is just a bunch of nuts and bolts. Thanks for the info. It looks like i'm looking at $900 and a full day's work to install all of this. Better wait until some time frees up

[DrBReed]

Originally Posted by JohnG300c

My C came with eibach 1.2" lowered springs. The handling is not good presumably because the stock shocks are too weak/wore out. When going over a pot hole the whole car jumps sideways and there's way to much body roll. When going into a narrow curve at around 65 MPH the car starts to roll too which is quite scary...

Has anybody experienced this and how is it fixed? Aftermarket shocks? Swaybars? Bricks in the trunk?

One of my pet peeves is people throwing things at a car without any thought or plan as to how to make them work. I know you didn't do this but now you have the problem and need it fixed. I would contact Eric Mestley down in Orange County. He is a super mechanic, knowledgable in handling and finding balance (which is what you are looking for). He used to race a Viper and was/is scary fast. I think going to someone who has a good solid background in performance issues is a good idea rather than listening to someone who cannot look at, drive or properly evaluate your car. I am sure there are other shops to go to but I have a lot of respect for Eric and his ability.

[Wingman]

Originally Posted by DrBReed

One of my pet peeves is people throwing things at a car without any thought or plan as to how to make them work. I know you didn't do this but now you have the problem and need it fixed. I would contact Eric Mestley down in Orange County. He is a super mechanic, knowledgable in handling and finding balance (which is what you are looking for). He used to race a Viper and was/is scary fast. I think going to someone who has a good solid background in performance issues is a good idea rather than listening to someone who cannot look at, drive or properly evaluate your car. I am sure there are other shops to go to but I have a lot of respect for Eric and his ability.

Here, Here! I second the motion of throwing parts at a car without doing the research first. This goes for engine mods, suspension, audio, etc. I have been at this crap for 35 years now and, in my early years, wasted a lot of cash and time on what someone else told me was cool, or fast only to find out they were either full of **** or I had no clue what I was doing. These are hard lessons but for many are a necessary component of "the hard road to success". I now, before spending a dime, research what it is I want to do, what are the pros and cons, run the cost/benefit analysis, visit forums such as this to see if someone else tried what I had planned on doing and what were the results. With suspension components you need to fully understand suspension geometry and how it changes with wheel travel, cornering, alignnment, tire width, etc. When you change one thing with out considering the effect on the other you are headed for problems and premature failure. Few of us have at our finger tips the computer aided modeling, 3D stress analysis, wind tunnels and test labs that the car manufacurers have at their disposal when designing these cars. We owe to ourselves (and the car designers) to do our homework before we meddle with their hours and hours of R&D work.

My suggestion to all of the "Newbies" (and by this I mean new to the land of motorheadom (I know that's not a word but it is now) understand the investment you have in your vehicle before you even put the first tank of gas in it. If you want to truely enjoy the experience you owe it to yourself, and your wallet, to take your time, do your homework, talk to those who have already been through it, so that your expectations are met or exceeded relative to the time and money invested and you don't create the proverbial money pit that you never get to enjoy because you are always throwing your pay check at it to fix it.
I am now officially off of my soap box.

[Northern Rider]

Yep. What both of you said.