Well, here are some pics of my install. Took out the old springs and installed Tein S.Tech springs. I had never done anything like this before, so I took my time. It ended up not being that difficult. The tutorial under the Tech section helped greatly.

The Tein’s drop 1.7 inches front and 1.5 rear.

I was so excited to put the springs in I made one mistake, you will see it in one of the pics.

Here is the original spring.
http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a244/spryfry11/1.jpg

Original spring with tire off.
http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a244/spryfry11/1987afe4.jpg

I used chalk to mark the position of the rubber bushing for correct installation later.
http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a244/spryfry11/daac43c3.jpg

Original spring taken out
http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a244/spryfry11/00dceaa6.jpg

Rear spring comparison
http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a244/spryfry11/de4044ef.jpg

New rear spring installed on one side
http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a244/spryfry11/6eee2855.jpg

OOPS! Realized it was upside down a little too late! Didn't take too long to fix.
http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a244/spryfry11/ca99373b.jpg

Front gap before
http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a244/spryfry11/e0b97a03.jpg

Front strut w/original spring
http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a244/spryfry11/5045031e.jpg

Had to loosen the front cowel to get the top strut bolts off.
http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a244/spryfry11/f2ee46db.jpg

Front strut w/original spring out of wheel well
http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a244/spryfry11/67ba52d4.jpg

No strut in wheel well
http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a244/spryfry11/c870313c.jpg

Front spring comparison
http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a244/spryfry11/76b7f3b1.jpg

The instructions said I had to cut the bumper on the strut by about an inch
http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a244/spryfry11/160d13e4.jpg

New spring on strut
http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a244/spryfry11/ebbd3051.jpg

Strut installed with new spring
http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a244/spryfry11/5d03119b.jpg

Might as well install a strut tower bar since the top bolts are off
http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a244/spryfry11/80010f8a.jpg

Strut tower bar installed, and cowel back together.
http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a244/spryfry11/ceccfea0.jpg

Front wheel gap after
http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a244/spryfry11/5c6857c7.jpg

Yeah! Finally done!
http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a244/spryfry11/9a7d4f66.jpg

The springs have been in about a month now. The ride/comfort seems to be about the same to me. The handling is absolutely better. In fact I love how it handles.

The difficulty of this job was not too bad. I was by myself and did not have air tools. I didn't use a spring compressor and was ok. If you are thinking about doing it yourself, check out the Tech section, it helped me have some idea of what I was supposed to do next. Just make sure you give yourself enough time (all day).

nice write up! Looking good!

So how'd you do it without a spring compressor?

btw, looks great. I'm thinking of h.techs myself.

The rear springs almost fall out when you take the shocks off, and they go in pretty easily with the use of a jack holding the rear beam up. The front springs almost shoot off the strut when you take the top bolts off, so you have to be careful. Putting the new springs on the strut just takes a little effort by pushing down on the spring and then throwing the bolts on the top.

w00t! those are stock 15" right? I can't wait to install my df210's on my Camo now. If you got rid of that much wheel gap then i should get a lil more. How do u do on speedbumps etc?

Looks like u will still clear almost everything, but looks really good without the big wheel gap :)

That looks really good. Keep it up

w00t! those are stock 15" right? I can't wait to install my df210's on my Camo now. If you got rid of that much wheel gap then i should get a lil more. How do u do on speedbumps etc?

Looks like u will still clear almost everything, but looks really good without the big wheel gap :)

Yep, stock steelies. Speedbumps are no problem, just take them a little slower. The wheel really needs to be painted, but I want to throw some NBK Power wheels on them in the near future.

Your df210's will look really great, and you'll love the handling. Put a tower brace in at the same time.

Thanks

dude, I have df210's on mine with a 2.2" drop and yours fill out the wheel gap as much as mine...are those the stock tires, too?

dude, I have df210's on mine with a 2.2" drop and yours fill out the wheel gap as much as mine...are those the stock tires, too?

The tires and wheels are stock. Just the springs are new.

that's pretty damn good lookin for a 1.7" drop then...very nice. Makes me wonder if I got the full 2" drop on mine...

kloquewerk with ur tanabe's do u clear over speed bumps etc? Just take em slow?

That 1.7" thing is not true... once they settle it's more like 2" or maybe a tad more.

:bow: I did mine 2 wks ago using the write up in the tech section, It was a great guide and the install was easy money. I like the drop and agree the handleing is way better.

That 1.7" thing is not true... once they settle it's more like 2" or maybe a tad more.

That last pic is new, so maybe they did settle more during the month. That would be great if they settled at 2" or more. Woohoo

kloquewerk with ur tanabe's do u clear over speed bumps etc? Just take em slow?

Yeah, I clear speed bumps and most driveways no problem, even going at normal 5 mph speed. I usually only scape my exhaust going up this one steep driveway at the supermarket and that's it. I can even clear my underground parking's steep incline with no problems but my Matrix with Tein S Techs scrapes unless I'm at an almost 90 degree angle...and my box looks waaaay lower.

cool. only thing i have a concern with, is my wheels are 15", tires are 195/50 ... i put it up against the stock wheel when they were on my box and my wheels/tires are about 1" shorter.

I don't want to bottom out or get stuck on a damn speedbump, but i can't stand having as much wheel gap as i do now.

I think slammed on my 15" w/ spacers will look good, at least the rear spacers

^ you should be fine. just take it a little slower.

sweet, glad to hear that i don't need to remove the cowel all the way, had to in the echo... just more of a pain that way

Hopefully i'll put them in soon, how much did u cut your stops for the Tanabe's?

When I first dropped mine on S-techs my box was rolling on 205/40/17's, also about an inch less overall diameter than stock, so 1/2" lower.It was def a little closer to curbs than I wanted to be.
I now have 215/45/17's, which not only raise the ride height about an inch from where it was but fills the wheel wells out even more.

s-tech's are the way to go
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v696/boboso/CIMG1696.jpg

and your rear spring is upside down, Logo reads upright
i have had mine the same way for 20,ooo miles+
don't worry about it, unless you have a problem...i have not

sweet, glad to hear that i don't need to remove the cowel all the way, had to in the echo... just more of a pain that way

Hopefully i'll put them in soon, how much did u cut your stops for the Tanabe's?

The df210's come with new bump stops that are already at the correct height. Just make sure the new one's go on and don't use the originals

sweet, glad to hear that i don't need to remove the cowel all the way, had to in the echo... just more of a pain that way

Hopefully i'll put them in soon, how much did u cut your stops for the Tanabe's?

The df210's come with new bump stops that are already at the correct height. Just make sure the new one's go on and don't use the originals

well i sure as hell didn't get my new bumpstops when i ordered my springs, how can i get a pair of them?

Hey TXboxDriver, I see you are running 16 inch wheels. I am going to get 16's too, but what size tire do you have. Looking good :bow:

Nice little writeup epoXy. Your xB is looking good.

sweet, glad to hear that i don't need to remove the cowel all the way, had to in the echo... just more of a pain that way

Hopefully i'll put them in soon, how much did u cut your stops for the Tanabe's?

The df210's come with new bump stops that are already at the correct height. Just make sure the new one's go on and don't use the originals

well i sure as hell didn't get my new bumpstops when i ordered my springs, how can i get a pair of them?

Really?? You might want to get in touch with Tanabe on that. If not you can use your original ones but cut about an inch off.

thanks, i'll prolly just cut the fronts if i even install my tanabe's. I'm debating on sellin them and getting the progress tech coils or saving up a lil more to piece together an airbag setup

why dont you use them in the meantime and then replace them with the airbags when you get the money? the progress coils are nice though.

great write-up! thanks!

why dont you use them in the meantime and then replace them with the airbags when you get the money? the progress coils are nice though.

still debating about it, i don't want to wear the shocks if i don't have to. I'd rather swap the stock setup all out and put the bags in, that way i have them as a backup

I'm definitely showing my suspension ignorance here, but I have a question I don't know the answer to.
I installed my DF210's a few months ago and after reading this thread it appears they were supposed to come with new bump stops, which mine did not. I want to cut mine a bit shorter (about 1 inch as suggested) but this leads to my question:
are there only 2 bump stops (both in front)? If there are rear bump stops in an xb, where are they? Sorry for the really obviously dumb question, but I'd rather know for sure than guess.

I'm definitely showing my suspension ignorance here, but I have a question I don't know the answer to.
I installed my DF210's a few months ago and after reading this thread it appears they were supposed to come with new bump stops, which mine did not. I want to cut mine a bit shorter (about 1 inch as suggested) but this leads to my question:
are there only 2 bump stops (both in front)? If there are rear bump stops in an xb, where are they? Sorry for the really obviously dumb question, but I'd rather know for sure than guess.

Hey Storm,

The only bump stops are on the front struts. Since the rear uses a seperate shock and spring, a bump stop is not required. I have heard some people say they did not cut their bump stops after installing lowering springs and it was ok for them. Since I had never installed springs before, I wanted to follow the instuctions exactly, and thats why I cut mine.

Thanks for the reply. The only reason I'm thinking about cutting my bump stops is that sometimes when I hit a pretty good bump it really jars my suspension and it feels like it's hitting something that's preventing the suspension from absorbing it. I know that by lowering my car some of that is to be expected, but I thought maybe a little more travel in the suspension wouldn't hurt.

Again, thanks for the very quick and really informative reply.

Sweet

how come some people dont run into problems if they dont cut their bump stops?

If they use lowering springs, they probably don't have as much travel on their shock when it compresses, and will bottom out faster than someone who has cut the bump stop. But the difference between cut vs non cut bump stop shouldn't really create too many problems, unless you are driving on a lot of bumpy roads.

oh okay, thanks for the info. i think i'm going to go back into the suspension and cut the bump stop and replace the wrong part that i did cut. such a pita. but oh well...live and learn. hehe... :rofl:
If they use lowering springs, they probably don't have as much travel on their shock when it compresses, and will bottom out faster than someone who has cut the bump stop. But the difference between cut vs non cut bump stop shouldn't really create too many problems, unless you are driving on a lot of bumpy roads.

Looks great nice how to!
after install did you do alignment?






06 shadowmica
greddy evo 2 exhaust
obx shift knob & pedels
tinted windshield


wish list
wheels
springs
tailights

i have to say of all the springs out there i like the ride of the teins a lot better than the rest...

i actully have to install a set for a friend today...

and im taking the set off my car... gonna bag it...

Looks great nice how to!
after install did you do alignment?


I did, although it seemed to ride ok without the alignment.

i just shot them a e-mail. i didn't recieve any in mine either.


sweet, glad to hear that i don't need to remove the cowel all the way, had to in the echo... just more of a pain that way

Hopefully i'll put them in soon, how much did u cut your stops for the Tanabe's?

The df210's come with new bump stops that are already at the correct height. Just make sure the new one's go on and don't use the originals

well i sure as hell didn't get my new bumpstops when i ordered my springs, how can i get a pair of them?

Really?? You might want to get in touch with Tanabe on that. If not you can use your original ones but cut about an inch off.

nice ride

Very thourough write up! its nice to see that you REALLY took your time and planned everything out. I like how you said might as well put a strut bar on like you had it just laying around or something! hahaha. Lookin clean

Thanks for the kind words guys.

Yeah, that strut bar just happened to be there... :rofl:

Thanks for the kind words guys.

Yeah, that strut bar just happened to be there... :rofl:

GREAT WRITE UP! i just wanted to Thank YOU! :) if it weren't your pic of the bumpstop. i would of NEVER probably known! hehe.. :) :bow:

If you want...use the spring compressor...They usually sell it at harbor freight for <$10. I am just a safety freak...

I'm definitely showing my suspension ignorance here, but I have a question I don't know the answer to.
I installed my DF210's a few months ago and after reading this thread it appears they were supposed to come with new bump stops, which mine did not. I want to cut mine a bit shorter (about 1 inch as suggested) but this leads to my question:
are there only 2 bump stops (both in front)? If there are rear bump stops in an xb, where are they? Sorry for the really obviously dumb question, but I'd rather know for sure than guess.

Hey Storm,

The only bump stops are on the front struts. Since the rear uses a seperate shock and spring, a bump stop is not required. I have heard some people say they did not cut their bump stops after installing lowering springs and it was ok for them. Since I had never installed springs before, I wanted to follow the instuctions exactly, and thats why I cut mine.

Actually the XB does have rear stops. They are on the rear dampers. Most springs suggest either replacing or cutting front and rear.

If you want...use the spring compressor...They usually sell it at harbor freight for <$10. I am just a safety freak...

True, good idea using the compressor. <$10 is a great price even if used only once. Alternatively one can rent it. Advanced Auto rents them for cheap.