FAQ: Aftermarket Lowering Springs

AA wrote:

I think the point is, from what I've heard, once you plasti-dip something, you must then dip as many other things on your car as possible.

That does seem to be the prevailing result.

Karma wrote:

AA wrote:

I think the point is, from what I've heard, once you plasti-dip something, you must then dip as many other things on your car as possible.

That does seem to be the prevailing result.

Correct.

I even dipped my tires for added traction.

charlieRobinson wrote:

I even dipped my tires for added traction.

When you wear out the dip you can just dip again, that way your tires will never need replacing!

Charlie, have your springs came in yet?

69GSColorado wrote:

Charlie, have your springs came in yet?

They're sposed to be here tomorrow. I'm going to try and get them painted tomorrow or Thursday and installed Friday.
Maybe..

Check out the difference between OEM rear spring and Eibach! Dang!

Awesome dude! Where did you get them from again?

awesome....

69GSColorado wrote:

Awesome dude! Where did you get them from again?

Got lucky on an Ebay auction!

What's the P/N for the kit?

AA wrote:

https://rivperformance.editboard.com/t265p45-aftermarket-springs

Thanks! I'll keep an eye out for another set. I may do the 98 front end conversion this summer so I can upgrade to F body brakes!

Very excited when we get to see a before and after side shot of the Riviera to see the actual drop.

I had a great experience putting stiffer springs on the Roadmaster. It didn't hurt the ride at all, but definitely helped the handling. I'm pretty sure I need new front struts on my Riviera, so that would be an ideal time to consider springs.

Also very interested to hear your feedback on the ride quality.


In an earlier post in this thread, it was mentioned that the rear springs are too short/soft for the Riviera. How do you plan to address this, or is it even an issue?

https://rivperformance.editboard.com/t265p45-aftermarket-springs

Quote :

Subject: Re: Aftermarket Springs Wed Sep 19, 2007 9:28 am

I have the Ebach STS springs on my '97 Riv. Front is fine, rear is too weak to hold up the back end without a 1/2" spacer. I plan to go with an air-ride for the back as soon as I am done with my other projects. Because the Riv is heavier than the STS you get more of a drop. More like 2".

The only thing I'm concerned about in the back is the auto adjust lever. The directions that came with the springs say to bend it right in the middle to shorten it. I may do that or I may remove it all together and install the manual air lines.

charlieRobinson wrote:

The only thing I'm concerned about in the back is the auto adjust lever. The directions that came with the springs say to bend it right in the middle to shorten it. I may do that or I may remove it all together and install the manual air lines.

I had to adjust mine when I put the new springs in. Instead of bending the leveling rod, just bend the entire bracket it's bolted to. I think in your case, you'd have to push up on the bracket to let air out. Do it in VERY small increments. It doesn't take a whole lot of movement to get the compressor to kick on, or fill up the shocks. It took me about a day to finally get it adjusted right (bend it, drive it, bend it, drive it....).

It looks like I'm going to give Robo's custom CSS springs a go now that he's moved on to higher performance coil-overs. The price is too good to pass up, and if I don't like them, not much is lost and I can go back to stock.

These springs do lower the Riviera a bit, which is not my goal (would prefer they didn't lower the car, but no complaints), but their additional ~30% stiffer suspension sounds attractive.... and Robo says the ride did not seem to suffer noticeably . So I'm going to give them a try.

But I have a question about aligment, specifically camber, following the installation of these springs. I understand that dropping the suspension will require camber adjustment and some OEM adjustment doesn't offer enough adjustment to accomodate lowering. These springs have an approximately 1" drop from Robo's measurements, and I have no idea if the OEM setup on the Riviera can adjust out this much of a drop or not. So will I need a "camber kit"?

Reading the following thread, it appears that rear camber adjustment will not be an issue with the lower springs for the 95-99 Riviera due to how the rear suspension is built as a unit and OEM camber is maintained regardless of ride height (wihin reason I assume). Please correct me if that isn't correct.

https://rivperformance.editboard.com/t7900-rear-suspension-camber-issue-question?highlight=camber


However, for the front, I may want to get a "camber kit" (essentially special bolts that have a larger camber adjustment) if the stock front suspension can't be adjusted to accomodate the 1" drop. I have read elsewhere that a 1" drop may or may not really need a "camber kit" as the impact may be negligible, but "it depends". Fortunately the "camber kits" I've found for the 95-99 Riviera are essentially two special cam bolts that are less than $30. So if it is debatable, I'd say just get the bolts. Agreed? Or can the stock Riviera suspension adjust camber for a 1" drop.

If a kit would be advisable, would the following be enough additional adjustment to cover the 1 inch drop?

http://www.moog-suspension-parts.com/proddetail.asp?prod=MOOG%2DK928

Thanks,
Al

I had no issue with camber/alignment after dropping mine.

I cannot express how happy I am with the results. Everything about it is JUST BETTER.

Firmer spring rate and lower stance was just what my Riv needed. Good luck and I hope your suspension mods work for you!

Thanks, I guess worst case is that I take it for an alignment and they tell me they can or can't get the correct camber for the front... .and we go from there.

I was thinking about just getting the $30 Moog bolts just in case though. But if you didn't have any issue with adjusting camber on your fronts after your 1-1.5 inch drop.... maybe it isn't a problem. Sounds like it was not for you, which is encouraging.

Did you ever get any "after" photos and measurements following the Eibach kit install? I recall you took some "before" measurements.

Al

The garage that did my alignment had no problem adjusting front camber.

Yes. There are some photos in my showroom thread.
https://rivperformance.editboard.com/t9541-charlie-robinson-s-99-riv

So my 96 riviera is the bounciest ride you will ever feel, i dont want to get just new shocks and springs, i want to lower the front about 1 1/2 inch and the back an inch, anyone know where i can get some springs and shocks to do this?

Hi I want to lower my 1996 riviera about 1 inch in the front or something like that, I need new shocks anyways, anyone know what I should get or websites anything?

its a rare find. charlie robinson found a set of eibachs he can tell ya what kind

man I sifted thru alot of posts yesterday to come up with nothing about springs for the sts or riv gbody wth where do I go from here?