just to verify that we are talking about the same part here.
if i unbolt the piece in red, the whole rear suspension platform will drop low enough to wedge the spring and insulators out?

YES, that is the part i was talking about. If you do not disconnect it from the control arm, the control arm cannot travel down far enough. You will possibly need a tie-rod or ball joint fork to separate it.
Or loosen nut until it is flush with end of stud and try hitting on that end with a hammer if you don have the proper fork. DO NOT over do it though or things can get all boogered up and expensive.
I would buy an inexpensive tie rod fork at the auto parts store or sears and do it that way.

It sounds like you do not have a set of Factory Service Manuals for your 96, If not I have a set i can sell you. PM me if your interested.

thank you!
it worked like a charm. i went ahead and used the compressor to make it a little easier.
it didnt lower the rear any, but it may be b/c the Monroe self fill shocks are pumped up pretty high.
i also doubt i'll feel a ride difference, but i cant wait till i get the front done! just ordered some lower knuckles and hubs from morad

Anyone know of lowering springs that will work on a 95 model? Maybe an inch to two inches.

anybody still interested in a group buy? im going ahead with my buy in a day or so. my order is for a 185 lb front 250lb for the rear. with a one inch drop. at a cost of $ 286 these are for coil spring specialities.

yesterday i ordered my c.s.s springs. i bought the set for what the s.m. set goes for!bummer. but i think i have a handle on the shock set up for the rear ,im sure i can figure out a bilstein pair that will fit.

coil spring specialties is a custom spring manufacture out of kansas. coilsprings.com

Did you figure out what our spring rates are?

yes. they are,148 f. 195 r. thats soft. i wanted to go all the way up to 250 f. to 300 r. but the guy at c.s.s. sed that might be a little too much. so i settled on 199.f 250 r. if i find that my order is still not firm enough for the riv,c.s.s sed they will swap em out for a higher spring rate set. what a deal.they know the rivs a heavy gal,and that i cart around 80 + lbs everyday in the trunk.

after speaking to a rep at strutmasters.com, they do air to non air conversions., they had idea what the spring rates were for their kit? ill call again monday to see if they have found out. seeing that they have an exact set for the 95 riv it sounds like a deal! but i wont buy a set if the springs are as soft as the oem.

Hmm, you've almost got me wishing I wasn't riding around on a new suspension

Glad to see we know spring rates now and have a place to make proper drop springs for us.

What eibach kit are you guys using on your rivs? They dont show a kit for the 95 riv, they show one for the part avenue...is it the same????

I think the caddy sts springs work for the riv, although I'm not positive about a '95 because I believe the suspension is a little different. Maybe someone with a little more knowledge will chime in to help you out.