Hullo

I don't doubt my mates mechanical skills, being a mechanic, but are there any tips and hints which may come in useful when it comes to fitting my eibachs this weekend?

I'm thinking of possible ideosyncracies with the suspension that he may not have experienced before. The most ideal help would be some kind of pdf/html instructions for fitting eibachs on to a Fabia, as the springs came with no paperwork at all. :(

There may be a pint or two for the person who helps me find something, and is coming to the National, and saves me time & money (

Jason,

I had mine fitted by my dealer - I don't think they encountered any problems as such. One of the guys who runs the servicing did mention that sometime springs are too short, and "pop out" (?) when the car is jacked right up, but as the Eibachs make specific springs for each Fabia model, that shouldn't be a problem.

Just remember that there are 2 different springs in the box - IIRC! Don't mix up the shorter ones with the longer ones

Yep - I saw the two different springs - I assume that the nice fat chunky spring is for the front to support the weight of the engine, etc, and the skinnier springs are for the rear...

I'm sure you'll notice if you get them the wrong way round....

A bit front end heavy - Would look nice and mean though.

Originally posted by devonutopia in this post

A bit front end heavy - Would look nice and mean though.

Erm, something like that, yeah....

Jason

Can't give any specific advice...but if your mate is a mechanic - he shouldn't have any problems at all -- fairly straightforward job,although if he's doing it on the side of the road....make sure suitable jack/axle stand's are used...better safe than sorry.

Also a VERY IMPORTANT note -- use of good quality spring clamps is a must -- I have seen first hand the damage that a spring can do when it files off under partial compression........not nice.

If an option, or not specified, I found when my rears were changed that if the tail of the spring ended up on the inside I got a bit coil pong going on. rotate so tail is on outside all is fine.

Enjoy

Just rooted through the Eibach box my springs came in but alas, no instructions...

I think the fitment will be fairly obvious to someone who knows what they are doing.

I suppose any markings/print on the springs will indicate which way up they go.

Another optional thing you may want to do is to trim the bump stops a little. The bump stops are way too long IMHO and interfere too much causing a bit of bounce.

Originally posted by FabiaTDi in this post

Another optional thing you may want to do is to trim the bump stops a little. The bump stops are way too long IMHO and interfere too much causing a bit of bounce.

Still haven't done this to mine, though if I come over to the virtues of diesel power, I won't bother! Until the spring go into the vRS!

I got the idea from your good self in the first place!

Thinking if chopping in the 16v for a vRS then?

I sure am. Just waiting for dealer to get delivery of their black beast! Would order it for march 1st if they do me a good enough deal! Need to have a new reg. :p

Nice..

Jabba remap, tuning box, custom exhaust and over 200bhp 350lbs/ft should be on the cards!

That is the plan. First thing would be refurbed and resprayed Voodoo alloys, then Pi -30 springs (bump stops trimmed this time). Meshed grille. Jabba map and tuning box. And a witty diesl slogan at the bottom of the number plate!

Sorry bout the slight post hijack Jason! :(

I agree with Matt that the bump stops should be shaved slightly. Another little hint that may save a bit of time. Loosen off the fron shock lower bolt and use some WD40 or equivelent to free up the shock. While it's working, replace the rear springs. By that time the front should be free. Mine was a bit siezed due to road salt.

How easy it is to trim the bump stops?

Not done it myself as yet, but Matt has and I think he said he done them with the shocks in place. Just lifted up the rubber boot and gently trimmed with a sharp knife if I remember correctly.

Matt,

How much did you trim the stops by? I've certainly noticed a bit more bounce since changing the springs, so if hacking at the bump stops will help a little, I'm all for it...

Yep - I'm up for some bump-stop trimming advice, please?

really, all I have to remember is make sure the pokey bit at the bottom of each spring is facing outwards - that's easy enough.

I'm looking forward to having no major body roll into corners ( which I do get with my heavyweight car. )

*Be VERY careful when trimming the bump stops as they are there to protect the shock from damage. You have been warned!*

The reason I trimmed them is that with lowered springs, the bump stop interferes with the damper compression and stops abruptly (as it hits the bump stop) giving you the bounce.

If you need to do it on the car, start with the rears as they are easier to get to and you'll be able to see how the bump stop interferes.

Jack up car and support on axle stands. Reach in and grab hold of the bump stop at the top of the shock and pull it down out of the upper aluminum mount. You may have to twist it a bit to get it out.

The rear bump stops have a stone guard on them which you will need to pull off. I removed one of the ring segments from the stop (about 15mm, NO MORE THAN THIS PLEASE!) with a stanley knife. To put the stone guard back on you have to trim down the sides of the bump stop a little and persuade the guard back on. You need to make sure that the stone guards new position is high enough up the stop so that its the bump stop that will touch the bottom of the shock and not the plastic inside the top of the stone guard. So from the outside the rear bump stops look as they were, only slightly shorter.

Sounds complicated but isnt. :(

The fronts are easier as they dont have the plastic stone guard attached, but as the damper is located inside the spring they are harder to reach. Jack up car again and support on axle stands. cut the same amount off but be VERY careful as your fingers will be working between the spring.

This is obviously much easier to do when the springs and dampers are off the car! But it is possible on the car.

Obviously get a mechanic to do it, or someone who knows what they are doing if you're unsure.

Its a good mod to do though and you will get reduced bounce. Seen it discussed on many other VW group forums.

when do you get the Eibachs fitted Jason?

Saturday / Sunday - I may print off your post above to show my mate fitting them. Is it really worth it, and how would it help me with the way I drive (that being max speed through corners without risking life & limb)

I noticed the difference most on motorways with lots of undulations and dips. Perhaps when doing 80 and above.

It reduces the vertical wallowing of the suspension that you get on this sort of road. Now it just feels really planted.

It isnt essential to do, no.

I guess, being serious now, I'm still after some reasonable comfort from the suspension when going in a straight line, especially on long m-way journeys - The only reason I really got these springs was for stiffness through corners (oo-er), and the lowering, so I'm not going to fiddle with anything. I guess I like my comfort when travelling at speed, and will simply use the springs' properties when I approach a corner. SCREEECH!

PS: whilst you're on, when are you planning on leaving brum for the National? I'm going to be passing Brum at around 3pm on the Friday, as I have booked a half-day hols on the 19th. ( This applies to anyone else going too BTW - not just fabia exclusive. )

You could leave the bump stops if you're bothered about doing it and see what you think when the springs are fitted. You can always trim them down later on.

Hoping to get the Friday 19th off.

Lets get a convoy going!