Eibach and Deaver Installation Help

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TravisHTX

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I just installed my Eibachs and Deavers a few weeks ago. It's really not difficult as long as you are at least have the slightest amount of mechanical inclination. There are a couple youtube videos that were really helpful in understanding the process and all the tools that will be necessary. There are a few other tips and things to watch out for.

1) On the front, after you take the wheels off, remove that metal cap and the bolt underneath of it. That bolt hold the axle assemble into the bearing/hub. If you arn't super careful and let that spindle swing out to far after disconnecting the upper control arm, the axle will come out of the CV inside that rubber boot in the axle assembly. There is a retaining ring that will get unseated inside that boot if the axle gets pulled out of the CV. Don't ask me how I know... :(

2) Have a couple little ratchet straps or something similar handy for holding the top of the spindle up after disconnecting the upper control arm. This keeps the axle from coming out of the CV, as well as keep the tension off the IWE lines , brake lines, and wheel speed sensor cables.

3) Make sure you have at least 2 jack stands and a floor jack. I also used some wood blocks under the rear axle to keep it supported just high enough that the IWE and break lines did not get pulled on.

4) Getting to 406 ft/lbs for the lower shock bolt is not easy. I didn't feel like spending a ton of money on a torque wrench just for those two bolts so I bought a 4ft breaker bar and a torque adapter. I had a 3/8" torque wrench that goes up to 70 ft/lbs and 1/2" torque wrench that goes up to 250 ft/lbs for all the other bolts.

5) Don't do it during the summer in Texas unless you can do it in an air conditioned garage... I was in a rush to get it done before a trip.

6) Take the time prior to install to put a couple coats of CRC marine or amsoil HDMP or similar on the deavers. Supposedly they have improved their coating, but it still looks like it could use more improvement to me...

7) I did the front springs by myself, but you will want a second set of hands for the leaf springs, they are heavy and would be fun to get into position and hold on your own.

8) Have a couple extra blades handy for the sawzall. I burnt through a couple cutting the front bolts on the leaf springs. Just be really careful for the gas tank, those things don't like having holes in them.

9) Do not torque the U bolts on the axle until you are certain the pins of the leaf springs are seated into the holes on the axle plates. In one of the videos, he showed he had to kick the side of the leaf spring to get the pins in, mine were good side to side, I had to use a ratchet strap to pull the left side back enough to get the pins in.


Those were the thoughts that came to mind... I will let you know if I remember any others.


What area are you in? I am in the Clear Lake area. I can let you borrow a couple tools like the breaker bar, torque adapter, and 30mm socket so you don't have to buy them.


EDIT: the spindles will want to flop out at you after disconnecting the upper control arms... DON'T let that happen! (see 1 and 2)
 
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Gerald

Gerald

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I just installed my Eibachs and Deavers a few weeks ago. It's really not difficult as long as you are at least have the slightest amount of mechanical inclination. There are a couple youtube videos that were really helpful in understanding the process and all the tools that will be necessary. There are a few other tips and things to watch out for.

1) On the front, after you take the wheels off, remove that metal cap and the bolt underneath of it. That bolt hold the axle assemble into the bearing/hub. If you arn't super careful and let that spindle swing out to far after disconnecting the upper control arm, the axle will come out of the CV inside that rubber boot in the axle assembly. There is a retaining ring that will get unseated inside that boot if the axle gets pulled out of the CV. Don't ask me how I know... :(

2) Have a couple little ratchet straps or something similar handy for holding the top of the spindle up after disconnecting the upper control arm. This keeps the axle from coming out of the CV, as well as keep the tension off the IWE lines , brake lines, and wheel speed sensor cables.

3) Make sure you have at least 2 jack stands and a floor jack. I also used some wood blocks under the rear axle to keep it supported just high enough that the IWE and break lines did not get pulled on.

4) Getting to 406 ft/lbs for the lower shock bolt is not easy. I didn't feel like spending a ton of money on a torque wrench just for those two bolts so I bought a 4ft breaker bar and a torque adapter. I had a 3/8" torque wrench that goes up to 70 ft/lbs and 1/2" torque wrench that goes up to 250 ft/lbs for all the other bolts.

5) Don't do it during the summer in Texas unless you can do it in an air conditioned garage... I was in a rush to get it done before a trip.

6) Take the time prior to install to put a couple coats of CRC marine or amsoil HDMP or similar on the deavers. Supposedly they have improved their coating, but it still looks like it could use more improvement to me...

7) I did the front springs by myself, but you will want a second set of hands for the leaf springs, they are heavy and would be fun to get into position and hold on your own.

8) Have a couple extra blades handy for the sawzall. I burnt through a couple cutting the front bolts on the leaf springs. Just be really careful for the gas tank, those things don't like having holes in them.

9) Do not torque the U bolts on the axle until you are certain the pins of the leaf springs are seated into the holes on the axle plates. In one of the videos, he showed he had to kick the side of the leaf spring to get the pins in, mine were good side to side, I had to use a ratchet strap to pull the left side back enough to get the pins in.


Those were the thoughts that came to mind... I will let you know if I remember any others.


What area are you in? I am in the Clear Lake area. I can let you borrow a couple tools like the breaker bar, torque adapter, and 30mm socket so you don't have to buy them.


EDIT: the spindles will want to flop out at you after disconnecting the upper control arms... DON'T let that happen! (see 1 and 2)

Thanks! I appreciate the tips and info! I live in League City, so just around the lake from you. And as you probably guessed based on my avatar, I work at JSC and probably just a few miles from you. I'd love to borrow some tools from you so I don't need to buy new tools that I'd probably only use for this one time. I'll PM you with my cell number.
 

TravisHTX

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Haha yea, I figured you were in League City. I would probably be in your area/neighborhood if I didn’t commute to Greenway Plaza.

not sure if you are gonna swap the springs yourself on the front shocks, or take it to a shop. But if you want to do them yourself. I have a cheapo spring compressor kit that will git r dun, only thing is they do scuff up the finish a bit on the springs where the hooks go around the spring. If you care about that, either you gotta buy an expensive compressor, or take them to a shop.
 
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Gerald

Gerald

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Purchased the Deaver HD +3 leaf springs, the Eibach springs, and SDHQ Bump Stop Strike Pads today! Now just have to wait for them to arrive and for the weather to cool down so the install can start!

Thanks to Nick at Apollo Optics for the deal!! I think I understand from the package I purchased that Nick will be coming down to help with the install!! ;)
 
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Gerald

Gerald

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Deaver HD +3 leaf springs came in this week!!

Deavers on Pallet.jpg

I'd like to target 10/17 or possibly 11/7 for the install. So hope you gentlemen are available and the weather is nice!!
 
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Gerald

Gerald

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Settled on installing the Deavers on Saturday, 10/17. Will likely start the process at 9 am. The long range weather forecast shows sunny weather with the temp range of 59-79 F. So it looks like it should be a beautiful Saturday. I'm not sure if I'll also do the Eibachs on the same day. I may push that off to another Saturday, maybe in early November. I'll supply the water, soft drinks, and beer and I'll order up some pizza for lunch. I have a few that might be able to help, but wanted to push this out there again for anyone else that might not have seen this and would be interested. I've never done this before and if you want to learn like me, this is the opportunity!
 
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