Suspension Needs A Refresh

Had a bunch of work done recently and my mechanic mentioned that the struts and stabilizing links are pretty much shot. I knew the suspension was in rough shape.

Anyway, I got a quote from a local dealer to have just the struts replaced with new stock ones...a whopping $1,100. Estimate doesn't include springs or anything else. Apparently the front ones are rated at 1.4 hours a piece and the backs at 1 hour a piece for labor...does it really take nearly 5 hours to do this job? My mechanic won't do it because he doesn't have the equipment for these type of struts...mentioned something about needing a special compressor. Is there any type of shop that I could trust to do this job besides the dealer or has anybody had luck getting them done somewhere else?

Also, what type of aftermarket options have people tried (better or worse than stock?) and how will this affect the ECS?

I just dumped a ton of money for a new fuel pump and fuel sending unit that failed me put in...I never believed people that told me these cars were really expensive to maintain but damn...it seems like I'm getting the short end of the stick with all the shit I've had fail on me or had to replace in the year I've owned this thing.

BTW, the timing belt issue was supposedly a retarded dealer trying to fuck me in the ass. There was no failure, but to be sure I didn't get boned later on by something actually failing, I had my mechanic replace a tensioner that didn't get done the first time. Fuel pump is why it wouldn't start.

first off, ur cars a 3s right??? ur name is eclipse so i just wanted to make sure. yea u need a spring compressor to compress the spring while u undo the strut....well u dont need one, but ull die if u dont have one haha. umm 5 hours sounds about right i did my own and it took me about 2 or three striaght hours. but idunno.
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first off, ur cars a 3s right??? ur name is eclipse so i just wanted to make sure. yea u need a spring compressor to compress the spring while u undo the strut....well u dont need one, but ull die if u dont have one haha. umm 5 hours sounds about right i did my own and it took me about 2 or three striaght hours. but idunno.


Maybe you didn't see it on your mobile, but I have the info. in my sig...yes I do own a 3s. I used to own an eclipse and that's why my username is as such.

I would also like to note that I don't want to lower it at all. It's hard enough driving around Wisconsin with how low it is, I would prefer stock height...I might be ok with 1/2 an inch lower but no more.

I did some reading and people seem to like the KYB GR-2's. Probably a dumb question...is a strut the same thing as a shock? I know very little about suspension...trying to figure out what all parts I need/want.

Also, any good aftermarket springs that are about the same size as stock that people can recommend? It seems everything I find wants to lower by 1-1.5 inches and I just don't want that.

Another stupid question...wtf is the difference between the auto and manual transmission coil springs? Mitsu has different part numbers and they don't cost the same...

Our cars have struts. Struts integrate the shock and spring into one unit. There are only a few cars that the spring is not part of the strut but thats another story.

If you get KYB GR-2s you will lose ECS.

recommend the intrax spring set, with the kyb struts. u can get them for 100 bucks a pop at 3sx if im not mistaken. thats a good setup imo. if u go stock struts ur gonna pay a crapload cuz of the ecs
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The cheapest I found KYB GR2s is Sumitt Racing

yea man they work really well and r hella cheaper then stock even after the spring kit. ive heard good things about eibach springs as well
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Check ebay or a local cheap tool store that sells automotive parts for a strut spring compressor I saw some on ebay for $50 and either do it yourself or get your mechanic to do it it will save you alot of money, Eibach is supposed to be good. Why not lower it its gonna scrap everything anyway

Spring compressors are cheap.

They are around $30 at Advance. I have had my Advance set for several years and lend them to several people and never once had an issue.

yea at oriels u can rent them i think. but hey ive never heard of any issues, but if decide to do it urself be careful, theres a lot of pressure in the spring and if it slips off the compreser, be sure ur standing to the side of it and not in front or benind. other then that the only hard part is wiggling the struts out, the rear ons can be hard
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Our cars have struts. Struts integrate the shock and spring into one unit. There are only a few cars that the spring is not part of the strut but thats another story.

If you get KYB GR-2s you will lose ECS.

So the KYB GR-2s they don't come with springs correct? I'm asking because in the pictures it only shows the shocks and there is no mention of included springs but they are labeled as a "shock/strut". I checked Summit and they are about $80/each for front and $70/each for rears which does appear to be the cheapest I've seen as well.

Can anybody recommend aftermarket springs that are about stock height? Like I said, I don't want to lower it. I can get around halfway decent right now but any lower and it would be nail-biting driving around where I live.

I was looking on 3sx.com and they have 3 different part numbers for cars with ECS and non-ECS...but Summit only sells 1 part number. Is there really any different between them or will the ones from Summit work fine?

Another question...any other parts that people recommend I replace while doing the struts? I see parts like this:

http://store.summitracing.com/partdetail.asp?autofilter=1&part=KYB-SM5096&N=700+4294925130+4294809451+115&autoview=sku

or this

http://store.summitracing.com/partdetail.asp?autofilter=1&part=KYB-SM5091&N=700+4294925130+115&autoview=sku

and wonder if I really need to spend money on those type of things.

the shtruts dont come with the springs, they come separate, unless u get the coilover kit. u wont find aftermarket spring stock height. the least lowering r the eibachs and they have comparable ride quality to the stocks, but still r performance springs. u may have to replace ur tie rod ends if they r bad, and/or lower ball joints. also chek the halfshafts to make sure they r stable. but truthfully u should be ok. lets us no if u need any more explantion then thanks. good luck
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So nobody else has any recommendations for springs that are nearly stock height? What about those other parts I linked to...needed or no?

like i said ur not gonna find any sprinmg stock height the closest ones r gonna be the eibachs
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I replaced my ecs struts with kyb gr-2's. (2 yrs ago) They work great but I did not replace the springs.

I am going to do that soon with Vogtland (ebay) for $165---these offer a good spring(used on several other cars, based in Germany). They drop 1.2". THese are the least amount of drop you can get other than stock.

THey also offer a package that has the struts and springs for around $400. The spring compression is easy with a rented spring compressor from advance. hope this helps.