Hey guys. I’m stuck and could use some good
advice. I’m running the Eibach sport line kit on my ILX for about a year and a half now. The springs work like a dream. However.


since I neglected to change OEM strut , I now have a lot of bounce in the front end.
what are my options for replacement struts.
and also my research indicates I will drop a quarter in. when I change out struts. This is a problem because I don’t want to go any lower.
thanks for listening.

 

well, under your requirements, the only option is OEM or an OEM like shock like KYB

 

Get some coilovers ...might spend some more money but I think you will have a better overall performance and adjustability. Oem struts cost a lot brand new and finding used ones is not worth it imo.

 

thank you for the info. I agree that I should get coil overs.
ive never had them, so I’ll stop by the local import shop and do some research. Coil overs Seems to be the popular choice.

 

So I went and pulled the trigger with the KYB struts. When I picked my car up my mechanic informed me that these new struts did not have a indent on the bottom plate. Like where the spring sits. So that was interesting. I believe people have mentioned that here before.
I haven’t driven the car much. But it does not feel that different. Still a bit bouncy. Any ideas about this? Do struts take time to break in?
Im a bit frustrated.
thanks guys.

 

Struts don't take any real time to break in, but they do have a sweet spot for their range of travel.

By design, the OEM strut and spring are meant to work together. Once you put a lowering spring on the car 2 things happen.

1) it lowers the car, thereby pressing the OEM shock lower than it should be, potentially bottoming it out or reducing its range of travel/dampening.
2) lowering springs have to be stiffer since there is less travel, so it puts more stress and load on the OEM strut, pushing it out of its designed dampening range as well.

I'd only try running some rather conservative lowering springs on brand new OEM shocks, but if you're dealing with used gear past 60+k miles. There is really no point. Lowering springs will give you a look, but handling and bouncy-ness will happen no matter what.


You really have to go with a full Coilover setup, even a budget one that re-uses OEM top hats. At least that way the shock and spring and designed to work together again.

 

That’s great info. Thanks for your reply.
I have noticed a difference in the ride since I installed the new struts. It just seems to handle better all around. However after reading your reply I know that the springs and the struts are not goin to work well with each other until I do a coil over. Which I suppose I’ll wait to do for now. And I’ve already invested quite a a bit of $ doing the struts. I’m hopping the suspension will stay the way it is for now. At 60k miles I’m hopping I can make them last another 60k miles before I do the coil overs.