Lowering with stock wheels and tires

LDM

LDM

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I am sure this has been asked, but I can't find it...

Can I lower my car now ('02 LS8 Sport) with the Eibach springs and run with my stock 17" chrome wheels and stock 235/50/17 tires?

(I can't afford new wheels and tires now, and it would look better lowered with new wheels/tires anyway... so why not lower now?)

I have asked 2 shops and they want $400 to install them (includes alignment).

I was thinking about ordering new shocks from Max, ordering Eibach's from Amazon $263 shipped, renting a compression tool. Install, then get an alignment.

That would be the same cost as having someone else do it, but I would get free shocks out of it (it's got 105,000 miles and I don't know when the shocks were replaced).

I see two different Eibach camber sets... and I see some people have not got them.

(Eventually I was thinking about Jaguar S-type R 18x8 and 18x9.5 staggered wheels in Chrome with 245/40/18 and 285/35/18 ContiExtremeContact-DW tires).
 
LDM said:
I am sure this has been asked, but I can't find it...

Can I lower my car now ('02 LS8 Sport) with the Eibach springs and run with my stock 17" chrome wheels and stock 235/50/17 tires?

(I can't afford new wheels and tires now, and it would look better lowered with new wheels/tires anyway... so why not lower now?)

I have asked 2 shops and they want $400 to install them (includes alignment).

I was thinking about ordering new shocks from Max, ordering Eibach's from Amazon $263 shipped, renting a compression tool. Install, then get an alignment.

That would be the same cost as having someone else do it, but I would get free shocks out of it (it's got 105,000 miles and I don't know when the shocks were replaced).

I see two different Eibach camber sets... and I see some people have not got them.

(Eventually I was thinking about Jaguar S-type R 18x8 and 18x9.5 staggered wheels in Chrome with 245/40/18 and 285/35/18 ContiExtremeContact-DW tires).
Click to expand...

The offset camber bolts are for the upper control arms. The jury is still out on whether you truly need them for the Eibach springs or if they will be just at the edge of spec with the stock ones. But the short answer, the done right the first time answer, is to install the camber bolts when you lower. Worse case scenario you didn't need them.

Shouldn't have problems lowering with stock wheels. As far as clearance goes, all depends on the rim and tires.
 
Good, thanks for the update.

I was just looking at this thread and got my answer on stock wheels/tires/lowering:

http://www.lincolnvscadillac.com/showthread.php?t=66529&highlight=spacers

Personally I like the 17" Chrome stock wheels. If I could get it lowered, with some 20mm adapters/spacers... I would just put 255/45/17 on it... and save some money.

20mm adapters for $300? Plus install money? That's some real money to put towards new wheels.

I think lowered with my stock wheels for now, with adapters would look great to me. (I have got about 1 year left on my tires).

Anyone want to sell their 20mm adapters?
 
A lot of places are cheaper, but with shipping Amazon is the best deal at $263.
That place wants $25.88+$245=$270.88
 
Not that many people have spacers, and to the little that do, I doubt they'll sell. Lower it, it will improve your look a lot! I would say do it yourself too, the rears are supper easy, the front took a longer to do.

I took the camber kit to the shop when I got my alignment done and the camber corrected. The guy said he usually doesn't need them and also doesn't like using the because you are replacing an thick OEM bolt for a cheaper thinner one. He got them back to factory specs without the camber kit on mine.
 
I don't quite understand the adapters/spacers. You have to attach them somehow, and if that requires more nuts etc... that's just even more money that could be applied towards new wheels.

So, that leads me back to lowering the car for now.

(Wheels/Tires or Adapters/Spacers later).

My shocks seem to be ok right now... but I am afraid I would just have to pay out in the future if they fail. Might as well get new ones now? (Considering the 105K miles and unknown when they were last replaced). Pay/Use a sping compressor once now is my thinking. It would be cheaper to keep what I have though.
 
I just now saw the posts while I typed the one above. Thanks for the reply's. I would go new for less than $100 more and shipped. Thanks for looking for me.
 
yeah but springs aren't like other parts that have wear and tear. New eibachs need to settle with their usage, so it's like buying worn in springs, right to the point.

But to each his own.

You need and extra set of lug nuts to mount the spacers, the wheels are mounted on the spacers.
 
I agree with Alax, except he meant to say "aren't".

Buying used springs is a bargain. There is really no difference, and if any - it is a good one.
 
I sent an email to ask a few questions. Google search on the phone number says it's Belli Automotive Smog & Repair in Marysville, CA.

It's a lot of time/work/money etc to put these in. The only thing is you don't really know what you are getting until after you get it (i.e. are they really Eibach, are they the right part# etc). I have already read of someone else getting the wrong springs used. Unless someone knows this person/car that they came from, it may be better for someone else to get them.

I do appreciate the followup/comments.

I think I'd still rather get new springs and use my existing shocks or buy new shocks too.
 
Andrizzle said:
I agree with Alax, except he meant to say "aren't".

Buying used springs is a bargain. There is really no difference, and if any - it is a good one.
Click to expand...

Springs wear and fatigue just like any other suspension component. They do have a limited lifespan, and really should be replaced after 100k miles.
 
Andrizzle said:
I agree with Alax, except he meant to say "aren't".

Buying used springs is a bargain. There is really no difference, and if any - it is a good one.
Click to expand...


Yeah, I meant aren't, fixed it ;)


JoshMcMadMac said:
Springs wear and fatigue just like any other suspension component. They do have a limited lifespan, and really should be replaced after 100k miles.
Click to expand...

Eibachs do have a million mile warranty.



LDM said:
I sent an email to ask a few questions. Google search on the phone number says it's Belli Automotive Smog & Repair in Marysville, CA.

It's a lot of time/work/money etc to put these in. The only thing is you don't really know what you are getting until after you get it (i.e. are they really Eibach, are they the right part# etc). I have already read of someone else getting the wrong springs used. Unless someone knows this person/car that they came from, it may be better for someone else to get them.

I do appreciate the followup/comments.

I think I'd still rather get new springs and use my existing shocks or buy new shocks too.
Click to expand...

The part number is on the spring and you can have someone check it out for you and ship them to you instead of you paying the craigslist guy directly. Thats what I do, I trust some people on here more than people on craigslist. Just saying, for future craigslist buys.
 
JoshMcMadMac said:
Springs wear and fatigue just like any other suspension component. They do have a limited lifespan, and really should be replaced after 100k miles.
Click to expand...

+1


Alax7 said:
The part number is on the spring and you can have someone check it out for you and ship them to you instead of you paying the craigslist guy directly. Thats what I do, I trust some people on here more than people on craigslist. Just saying, for future craigslist buys.
Click to expand...


Good point
 
Don't waste your money..Save up your cash, then when you have enough for rims and tires as well as the lowering portion do it. It may take a little longer but you will be happier in the end.
 
I have eibachs with stock wheels and stock tire size. I rub at full lock. Kinda annoying in quiet parking lots. With spacers I don't think it would rub.
 
Last edited:
RodLS said:
I have eibachs with stock wheels and stock tire size. I rub at full lock. Kinda annoying in quite parking lots. With spacers I don't think it would rub.
Click to expand...

I had the Springtech springs (lower than Eibach) and factory wheels with 245/45 rubber. I never had a rub; except the bottom over many driveways......
 
LS4me said:
I had the Springtech springs (lower than Eibach) and factory wheels with 245/45 rubber. I never had a rub; except the bottom over many driveways......
Click to expand...

I have 235/50/17. It rubs on some plastic behind the wheel. And yes i've rubbed on driveways and speed bumbs too.
 
Looks like I have to buy tires first...

I just got a bolt in one tire. Other 3 tires are nearly worn out... so it looks like I buy tires now. To keep it cheaper, I would stay with the stock 17" Chrome Wheels.

Continental ExtremeContact DW 255/45/17 is what I am looking at.
(Now to find a place that has them and will mount them on the LS, as they are oversize).

Lower it later with Eibachs.

Just hope others are correct when they stated they run 255/45/17 with Eibachs and no problems.

(P.S. No response to email from used Eibach springs listed above).
 
Went to Discount Tire with a bolt stuck in the drivers rear tire.
They have no 255/45/17 tires of any kind in stock.

I asked them to try and fix my tire with a bolt in it.
They got it on the hoist then came and told me they will not repair the tire as the wheel has the wrong lug nuts, and they won't be responsible. They said it's not holding the wheel on correctly, it's actually just chewing into the wheel and chrome and not seating it to the rotor... improper mounting.

I limped the car to the dealership. It had 5 acorn nuts on the drivers rear, and one acorn nut on the passenger rear. Got those 6 replaced and the tire repaired. (I must have bought the car 3 months ago with some incorrect lug nuts on it).

At least the correct tire got a flat, so I could find out about the lug nuts... had them put on the correct ones with the large washer looking thing.

Hopefully this will give me time to save for Eibach Springs and new tires.

I guess this flat may have been a blessing in disguise.
 
Hey dude, I installed Nittos 255/45 on my repainted stockers. They look awesome ! I dont think using spacers is such a good idea as if you somehow manage to compress the shocks all the way while driving, you will rub you new tires guarranteed. I think I may too event without spacers. Btw, my car is about 1.5-1.75 lower than stock.
 
Cool about the Nitto's 255/45 fitting on stock wheels and lowered!

Can you take some pictures with those since you have stock wheels and lowered?

I know you are lowered more than I will be, but I'd like to see the Nitto's and how they fit in the fender wells (as I have read they are wider than most other brands). I was leaning towards the ContiExtremeDW 255/45... but a lot of people run the Nitto's too, and they are cheaper... maybe wider too.

My new Eibachs are here! The new Motorcraft Sport shocks are in route and should be delivered later today! Now to save for install/labor costs...
 
I dont know about other tires but I love em!
Are you taiking it to a garage to install them? Why dont u just get the shocks and springs assembled at a shop and swap them yourself? Its a total of 5 bolts man! 4 on top, 1 at the bottom at front, and rears are even easier.
Anyways, I bought my nittos like a year ago, got them for 450 shipped. Reason why I didnt have them on already was the front upper control arms which were messed up. Finnally I replaced those. Oh and the wheels, I repainted them at a friends body shop, stock silver with just a bit of silver pearl mixed with the clear coat.
Btw I have 9 Sport wheels in total. When I took off those that are now repainted, a year ago, I remember keeping 4 good center caps as they other 5 where messed up. A year ago.. bro I flipped my house upside down and cant find them. If you come across some at a good price let me know!
Ill work on those pics as son as I can wash it this weekend.
 
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