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Front/Rear lowering feedback?

DS

DS

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I'd like to lower my Av, but wanted to know what you all think about any lowering mods you've done so far and how well everything has held up under long term use. I've spoken to people that I know with other Chevy trucks/suvs that have used Eibach's and had nothing negative to say. I can't really decide quite how low to drop the truck as well, so if anyone has pics they'd be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

 
Hey DS,

I just lowered the AV with Eibach's lowering springs for the rear. I also had the front lowered by an 1'' so I could keep that forward rake that makes the AV agressive looking. Eibach recommends that you also replace the shocks because the OEM's is shocks are normally softer than what is recommended with their springs.

http://community.webshots.com/user/rolando8988
 
Hey DS..., I installed the Eibach rear spring kit along with Hotchkiss sway bars, poly bushings, and the Edelbrock Boxed Tubing rear trailing arms with stainless steel rod ends on mine.., made a big difference in the handling..., only thing is i had to modify my Borla daul exhaust because of the 2 inch drop in the rear one pipe was hitting the axle on large bumps.., wasn't a big deal, and if you have just a single exhaust it wouldn't be a problem... I really didn't notice any real difference in the ride smoothness.., but if you went lower than 2 inches I think you would notice a stiffer ride....

Butch.
 
I highly recommend the Eibach rear springs. If you are running stock tires turn up the air pressure to 35-37psi- that also made a world of difference for my truck. Believe it or not it is actually a more comfortable ride now than before.

Ed
 
I just installed a 2/3 kit and shock extentions from McGaughy's. The so far I only got about 2" out of the rear springs so they think I got a mis-boxed set. They are sending replacement next week. This is the only company I found that makes a spindle and it was a very quality piece. The ride did not change at all. Now I am bad need of wheels/tires but that will have to come as money allows. If the second set does not bring me down another inch or so I will try a set of Eibachs. As for the front I would not do it any other way.
 
gearheads78 said:
I just installed a 2/3 kit and shock extentions from McGaughy's. The so far I only got about 2" out of the rear springs so they think I got a mis-boxed set. They are sending replacement next week. This is the only company I found that makes a spindle and it was a very quality piece. The ride did not change at all. Now I am bad need of wheels/tires but that will have to come as money allows. If the second set does not bring me down another inch or so I will try a set of Eibachs. As for the front I would not do it any other way.
Click to expand...

I'm getting mine done next week - the McGaughys spindles in front (spindles are the way to go, ask any reputable shop) and I think I'm going to do the Eibachs in the back. I'll report back when it's completed.
 
Gearhead- My truck only lowered 1.8" when I installed my springs, I noticed that the bump stop was bottomed out. After cutting off the top ring the truck dropped another inch for a total of 2.8" If you didn't cut the stop I bet that is your problem. The front can only be lowered about 1" without modifying the front stop.

Ed
 
Eddie, I did trim the stops right after we put them in. It only dropped about 1 1/2. After the stops got trimmed it was good for about another 1/2"

The new springs should be here this week. We will see if it makes any differnce or not.
 
I had the 2/3 drop done today. The nice ride my Z66 once had is now gone. I drove back from Anaheim (about 90 miles) and there is a notable increase in bouncing, especially on a concrete freeway. Whereas before I wouldn't think twice before taking the AV on a long trip, with the suspension as it stands right now, I would really have to think about it. It would not be nearly as comfortable.

The issue may be the Eibach springs. They are progressive rate springs, and while they take a lot of the yaw (side-to-side) out when changing lanes or taking turns, I think they also make the ride rough. What I may end up doing is replacing the Eibachs with McGaughys springs, then getting some aftermarket sway bars to take care of the yaw.

I realize that there is a trade-off for lowering. As they say in Economics, "There is no such thing as a free lunch." On the positive side, there is much more control in the turns and the AV feels much more sure-footed when changing lanes or taking on- and off-ramps. But I did not expect such a decrease in ride comfort. I was told that the ride would be close to stock (but that was with the McGaughys springs).

I will drive it around for a few days before I decide what to do. Once it clears up around here (it is raining today) I will wash the truck and take some pictures for you guys.
 
Thats suprising. I had herd from other that the Eibach rode great. Which springs did you use? How much of a drop did you get compared to advertised?

One last thing did to replace the shocks of did you purchase shock mount extenders? If you did not that is the problem. The self leveling shocks are bottomed out.
 
gearheads78 said:
Thats suprising. I had herd from other that the Eibach rode great. Which springs did you use? How much of a drop did you get compared to advertised?

One last thing did to replace the shocks of did you purchase shock mount extenders? If you did not that is the problem. The self leveling shocks are bottomed out.
Click to expand...

I got the 2.8" drop springs, part number 3887.520. I'll measure the drop tomorrow when I take the pics, but it looks close to 2/3.

I used the shock extenders. This shop does 10-15 drops per month, so the install was good.
 
On a side note, I replaced my stock shocks with Monroe Reflex. That made a world of difference. It stiffens out in turns and bumps and rides great on straight-aways. All this considering, I lowered the AV and have 20" rims with 285/50/tires.
 
Fun Guy

Who did your drop for you in Anaheim
I am thinking of doing it

Thanks Ted
 
I heard Tahoe/Suburban stock rear springs are 2" shorter. Therefore installing these on an Av= 2" drop. Anyone? True?
BB
 
Well I finally got a pic with the replacement springs. They made all the diff in the world. I am very happy now.

avlanche2.jpg
 
If you are having a problem with your truck not dropping as much in the rear check your rear shocks. GM uses a couple of different shock in the rear. If yours are yellow w/ blue boots they are regular gas shocks, but, if they are black large diameter canisters they are "load leveling" shocks and can prevent the rear from dropping as much. You can change them out and possibly get some improvement. Take into consideration the miles on you truck. Springs sag with age and use, so a worn set will not yield as much lowering as a box stock new set. Also check out the Western Chassis leveling kit. A whole lot less money than the Eibach. Ground Force makes a nice product also.
 
BensonRacing said:
I heard Tahoe/Suburban stock rear springs are 2" shorter. Therefore installing these on an Av= 2" drop. Anyone? True?
BB
Click to expand...

Umm, I don't think so. A Suburban is closer to an AV than a Tahoe is. But I could be wrong.

P.S. More rain today, but at least the camera made it into the truck !!!
 
blavalanche said:
If you are having a problem with your truck not dropping as much in the rear check your rear shocks. GM uses a couple of different shock in the rear. If yours are yellow w/ blue boots they are regular gas shocks, but, if they are black large diameter canisters they are "load leveling" shocks and can prevent the rear from dropping as much. You can change them out and possibly get some improvement. Take into consideration the miles on you truck. Springs sag with age and use, so a worn set will not yield as much lowering as a box stock new set. Also check out the Western Chassis leveling kit. A whole lot less money than the Eibach. Ground Force makes a nice product also.
Click to expand...

No the problem was the wrong springs. I have shock extentions to make sure the load level still works. As soon as I put the replacement springs I got an extra 1" and after driving around a day I got 1/2" more. Where is is settled now is exactly were I wanted it. Now if my wheels would just hurry up and get here.......
 
Thanks for all of the info so far guys!

Thusfar, I've gathered that I'll need to replace the springs and shocks on my 02 Z66 for best results. Are there any other parts that will need swapping out? I've seen spindles mentioned on the forum several times, what about them? Thanks!
 
DS, How low do you want to go?

For the front you have a choice if torsion keys or spindles. For the back all you can do is springs.
 
I'd like to lower it at least two or three inches, and level the back with the front. Doing it right is my primary concern. I don't mind paying for the right parts to get the best results possible as far as ride quality and handling go.
 
Got the truck on the lift today and saw that the Eibachs were completely coil-bound in the inital (progressive) area of the spring. The springs are 125lb/335lb progressive rate springs, and the 125lb coils are completely compressed with the truck just sitting there not doing anything. This is why my ride is so rough - the stock springs are 225lb, and I have been riding on 335lb springs ever since I had the drop installed.

May have to get the McGaughys springs. Will talk with Eibach first, and report back the results.
 
Fun Guy said:
I got the 2.8" drop springs, part number 3887.520. I'll measure the drop tomorrow when I take the pics, but it looks close to 2/3.

I used the shock extenders. This shop does 10-15 drops per month, so the install was good.
Click to expand...

:)I put the 3887.520 on today. Took about 45 mins since I don't have a compressor any more to run my impact. Just jacked it up, removed the wheels, removed the lower shock mounts, the sway bar ends and the bracket that holds up the passenger side emergency brake cable. Without that, the pass side wouldn't drop enough to get the spring out...the e-brake cable was holding it up. Then I matched the indexing of the Eibachs to the stock springs, put em in, which was about the only trick...jacking the rear end up with one hand and using the other hand to keep each spring on the pocket going up. I got about 2.5 inches of drop right off the bat. I am sure it'll settle some more. While I was under there I twisted on the torsion bars and dropped the front about an inch. I looks pretty level to me now. I took some pics, but got to get them developed and scanned. I'll recheck and tighten everything next weekend. I took it out and drove it about 40 miles and the ride quality is great. Oh yeah, I cut 2 ribs off the rear bump stops and 1 off the front. The rear may be a little softer than before, I plan to replace the shocks soon too. My 20's be lookin good now! I'll post pics by next weekend. :love:
 
Fun Guy said:
Got the truck on the lift today and saw that the Eibachs were completely coil-bound in the inital (progressive) area of the spring. The springs are 125lb/335lb progressive rate springs, and the 125lb coils are completely compressed with the truck just sitting there not doing anything. This is why my ride is so rough - the stock springs are 225lb, and I have been riding on 335lb springs ever since I had the drop installed.

May have to get the McGaughys springs. Will talk with Eibach first, and report back the results.
Click to expand...

UPDATE:

Talked with Eibach on Friday and got some interesting information. Turns out Eibach actually designed the first stage of coils (the tightly-wound, 125 lb, first-stage, progressive rate coils) to compress completely upon receiving the vehicles weight. I said, "Excuse me?" I asked to hear this again because I couldn't believe it, I was told something completely different weeks ago when talking with them, but this was confirmed.

Turns out that instead of using canvas straps as some manufacturers of lowering springs do (which keep the springs from falling out when one or both of the vehicle's rear wheels end up hanging in mid-air....called 'topping out' in suspension lingo), they decided to make it so when their springs are fully extended, they are the same length as the stock springs and don't fall out.

In order to do this, they had to make extra coils whose only function is to sit directly on top of each other and do nothing. So, the first 5-6 coils of the Eibach spring are useless - not a 'softer initial spring' as some Eibach folks will tell you. In fact, the Eibach is NOT a progressive rate spring - it is a straight rate spring, and a stiff one at that - 335 lbs, over 110 lbs stiffer than the stock springs.

I will keep the Eibachs, because I like the stiffer ride (it handles better around turns and off ramps) but be aware that the ride is stiffer and 'straight-rate' when buying Eibach's so-called "Progressive Rate Springs."
 
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