I installed a set of the RS-R Ti springs this weekend. Thanks to Gruppe-S for a great transaction!! Really a very easy install and for those who said spring compression is needed I would like to charge you for the set I bought I would say the install including prep and cleanup was 2.5 hours with jack stands and hand tools, no air tools yet. The fronts took roughly 35 minutes each and the rears took 15 minutes each. Getting the car on jack stands and taking the tires off, took what felt like the majority of the time to do it. There has already been some write-ups so I did not take pics and the whole ball of wax. The one area that may fool some is once you have the front strut off, getting the top bolt off to take the spring off. Without air tools or an impact wrench it seems hopeless, but it really is pretty simple. I used a closed end ratcheting wrench and positioned it on the bolt, then I used a cresent wrench and sized it to the end of the shaft. That allowed me to stop the shaft from moving and that bolt came right off.

The ride and drop: So far the ride improvement has been as expected with very little change from stock on nice roads. Bumps are not as jarring and the car feels much more planted in the corners now. After the install of the sway bars I felt that the body roll was gone but I was trying to hold on, now there feels to be a much better balance where the "whole" car seems to be planted and I don't feel like I am being thrown around. I have yet to take it out on some of the roads where the bouncing really kicks in so I will report back on that later. I have had limited driving time since I installed them yesterday and figure that over the course of a week or two I will have a much better feel for the changes. The drop is 0.6" front and back which is about perfect for around my area. I will post some pics after a week or two to make sure they have settled to show before and after.

Next to Come - Stoptech Silver Front 13" kit with drilled rotors and rear drilled oem replacement rotors, new pads and SS lines. On order, but taking a little longer than expected

 

So, how did you get the Springs off the front strut assemblies withouh a compressor? I assume the spring wasn't compressed all that far and didn't spring back and slap you upside the head...


I am installing my Eibachs on Tuesday or Wednesday. I don't have Spring Compressors, but I can get a loaner from Autozone for a $40.00 deposit.

 

All you do is remove the strut, remove the bolt holding the top plate on the strut assembly and the spring can be taken off and the new one put on. The stock spring will give a little when that top bolt is removed but not enough to worry about, barely moved on mine and did not send anything flying like some might think. On the back, you just push the spring assembly down far enough to remove the spring. It takes a bit to push it down but it is possible. I first tried with the spring compressors but it was taking forever and it was a pain in the a$$ trying to get the wrench on the compressor and have room for movement of the wrench. Much easier and faster to leave the compressor out of the picture.

 

Well, I am able to report that on the way to work today the ride was excellent!! The "bounce" effect seemed to be a very normal feeling sensation instead of a wild motion that drives you crazy. Its kind of hard to explain but seemed to simply be a more flowing feeling that an up and down jolt. Unfortunately we got dumped on throughout the day with snow, so I was unable to get up to normal speeds on the way home to get a better report.