Suspension Overhaul/Lowering
 

Hey all, I'm getting ready to do a suspension overhaul on my 03 4.4 and while I'm in there I think that I will lower it a little bit as well. I have read where the eibach sway bars offer a night and day difference, I have read a couple threads where they are greatly appreciated. I have not found anywhere where they sell both front and rear, or just front, do they no longer make the bar? I saw on ECS a front/rear set however its a name I didn't recognize. I plan on going with the H&R front springs and the links for the rear as I have air, anyone have any recommendation's? I am looking to order and get this done within about a month. Does anyone have any links on pulling out the front struts? Is it a PITA? I have seen a couple spring compressors, what would be the best to get?

Thanks guys

What do you plan on replacing when you do the overhaul? Just shocks/springs or are you going into any suspension bushings?

The Eibach sways are no longer in production, from what I understand. They seem to be hard to find.

You could think about camber plates and an alignment, too.

The front struts come out very easily. You have basically 3 bolts to do behind the wheel and a clip to remove and 3 bolts at the top per strut tower. Once you take the wheel out it will become apparent. Behind the wheel, you will have 2 big bolts that connect to the brake hub and halfway up the strut you will have another bolt and a clip that holds the brake line.

I have had both the Eibach sway bars and the H&R lowering kit in place for several years. The sway bars are the single greatest improvement in handling. I didn't use the H&R links I found some more adjustable links somewhere, maybe Ebay. The H&R links are fine, I just wanted to lower the rear a little more.

If you want to get the most out of the sway bars and improve the handling even further, consider camber plates, strut tower brace and wheel spacers. I tried Bilstein heavy duty struts but they made my X very skittish so I went back to stock on both ends.

Wheels spacers help handling and help fill the wheel wells. If you add spacers, I suggest that you purchase the type that are secured to the hub and come with longer lug bolts. Some tire shops will not touch wheels unless they are of that type. To decide on the correct width, measure from the widest point of the tire tread to the inner side of your fender. You can go wider but risk throwing trash up the side of your X.

Since you are going to need an alinement after you lower your X, I suggest that if your stock suspension parts are due or will be soon that you do all the mods and stock suspension work at the same time so that you can avoid the cost of several alignments than if you do the work in stages.

I was planning on doing the bushings etc. while I was in there. Springs of course, shocks, yes, although I don't know if I will go with something aftermarket or just stick with stock. I would like to do the sway bars, however the only ones I can find are the ones ECS is selling. Does anyone have any experience with those? I didn't think of camber plates, what would be the point of those? Nor did I think of an upper strut bar. I like the way the X rides right now, I just want it to be a little lower and not so "leany" in the turns. I have a 540 and M3 if I really wanna go fast in the turns. I currently have the stock staggered 19's that come on the sports but am looking for a set of OEM 20's to put on. I don't know if I would consider putting on spacers or not.

While you haven't mentioned the miles on the existing suspension you are talking about replacement of components. That alone will give you greater 'feel' of what the X is doing and reduce the lean.

If you like the ride, stock strut replacements will be fine.

Camber plates will allow for more negative camber, will improve handling and reduce lean. Negative is too much negative camber will cause greater tire wear on the inside of the tire.

Spacers will deliver a wider wheel base, again improving handling and less lean.

Just as the sway bar ties both sides of the lower suspension together, the strut tower brace ties the top of the suspension together--less lean and better handling.

You can rent a spring compressor from most auto parts stores such as Autozon

Source for Eibach sway bars:
Eibach Sway Bar, Eibach Anti Roll Kit, Eibach Anti Sway Bars
Eibach sway bar are much thicker which ties both side tighter, improves handling and decreases lean more than any other modification.

If the front suspension needs to be rebuilt the rear suspension is likely due. The rear sway bar will help your objective but will be compromised if the other suspension components are not addressed. If you plan to do the work in stages you are spot on doing the front first. A stock X has some oversteer which increases as the front suspension wears.

The car has high miles, 160k but the previous owner was meticulous on maintaining it. All the suspension components (front and rear) were replaced ~80k ago, all stock parts, including new rear airbags. I like the more aggressive look of the lowered X's with the OEM 20's on it. At 80k would everything need to be gone through? Is there a list of things or work that should be done.

The link to the sway bars is for the rear bar only, does not include the front bar, I would like to buy a matching set, hence why I have only been able to find the set ECS is selling. Any other options?

Suspension should not need overhaul again after 80K.

What style 20" wheels are you thinking about?

Link I sent is for front and rear sway bars.

If you go to the website and choose the application, it comes back to a "kit" containing just the rear sway bar. There is a review on the site that says that the front bar has been discontinued due to quality control issues.

I am wanting to find a stock set of style 87's I believe. There has been a couple sets floating around near me.

So after 80k what would you suggest to replace? or just put on new springs and bars and be done with it?

87s will look great!

Yes, I would just do springs and sway bar at that few miles. If you can, add the 87s at the same time that would be best to do. After you have the 87s on it you will have a much better idea if you want add spacers. Decide before the alignment so you only have to do it once. The drop plus spacers no greater than 20mm will really fill the wheel wheels as you can see by the picture of mine. I have 18mm spacers front and rear.

Try this source:
Andy's Auto Sport | Cart

This place showed both available for 4 and some change. I will give them a call and see if they actually do!

Thanks