I just installed my Tein Basics today. It took way longer than i expected but i had about everything you could imagine go wrong. It was my first attempt at suspension work but i definitely learned a lot and could do it again in a snap. I'm hoping someone can clear some things up for me.

1) When i re-attached the end links i had to pivot the rear sway bar upwards to compensate for the shorter coilover unit. is this normal? will this have any effect on the sway bar's function or will it work the same?

2) Basics require you to use the stock top mounts/hardware... the springs are not long enough to hit both the top mount and the lower adjustable stop( im sure there is a word for that thing) at the lowest level. so i just moved the lower stop up until it was snug with the bottom of the spring which doesnt leave the car that much lower than stock. How can i lower it more?

3) My car has developed a rattle/squeak on the rear drivers side. Are these usually the result of a loose bolt/nut?

First Impressions: the car corners flatter and feels pretty stiff. I like it, but i haven't got to try it out on dry curvy roads... damn rain wont stop. Also, is it normal to have the back end break loose easier with the stiffer suspension on wet roads?

let me know what you think

Thanks!

 

I had those coilovers but sold them afer only a month maybe. They handle great but normal bumps in the road feel very annoying afer a few weeks especially with 19" rims and lower profile tires. I have owned many coilovers even with much higher spring rates that didnt feel like that. I do not recall moving the rear sway bar around. You can lower it down to the bottom of the coils its just maybe the top will not contact the spring until you lower it back down. Also I had noise in the rear too and I checked all bolts many times. It was not a squeak but almost like a light thunk/thud, I dont know but I didnt worry about it because I knew everything was solid and it handled quite well.

 

Thanks for the feedback. I took it to a shop to get their opinion on the squeak/rattle and they said the top nut was not tight enough... too bad I have to take the entire unit out to get to it.

I got a little more driving in today. I could see how it could get annoying being so stiff, but we'll see. I was going 70 down the freeway and it dipped pretty good. I felt like i was plunging off the side of a cliff for about a half second. it was pretty unexpected and my stomach jumped into my chest but that the only "too stiff" moment so far . I'll probably upgrade eventually but im happy with these for now.

 

Sounds good, I got some tanabe springs installed and I love the "new ride" feeling and yes the back end will break loose easier with the stiffer suspension on wet roads.

 

Does anyone know how necessary the plastic flaps underneath the front bumper are? They hang down an inch or two and attached by 4 screws. I have the car set up so its not much lower than stock and I’d like to go a little lower but it lightly scrapes on one of the flaps on the way up my driveway.

Let me know if they serve any purpose and if it would be alright to remove them permanently?

Thanks