DarkApathy

How easy is it to install new springs into a 1st gen Pro? And how much are you guys typically lowering your cars by? Any good brands to go with or sites to check out? Is this typically done because of style? or are there real performance implications to lowering your car? Thnx loyal Protege peepz.

Identity_X

From the FAQ:

I'd like to lower my car, are there any springs available for the Protegé?
For 1st generation:
B&G lowering springs (1.4" drop)
Intrax lowering springs (1.75" drop)
Eibach lowering springs (1" drop)
Suspension Techniques lowering springs (1" drop)
H&R lowering springs (1.25" drop front, 1" drop rear)
Weapon-R and Ground Control also have coil-over kits
AutoExe Aragosta coil overs

Here are some threads to get you started

http://www.protegeclub.com/forum/sho...hlight=springs

http://www.protegeclub.com/forum/sho...hlight=springs

http://www.protegeclub.com/forum/sho...hlight=springs

http://www.protegeclub.com/forum/sho...hlight=springs

If you need more info then just do a search for 'springs' in the 1st gen suspension section.

You can do the job yourself. I just installed my Eibach springs last weekend. It did, however, take me the whole day to get the job done

mazdaspeedwest

how-to on my site

http://www.automediazone.com/pro/ZX2_strut_install.htm

beachnut

What? I thought it would've taken you like 10 minutes .... j/k dude!

So, you went ahead and put the Eibach's on your stock struts, huh? How's the ride?

Identity_X

If I do it again, it'll take me even less then 10 minutes
It actually took me two days to do the job, but I spent the bigger part of one of the days working on a custom rear strut bar that should be going on the car today.

Although I haven't driven the car that much, it doesn't feel that different from stock. I was surprised to find that both of my springs in the back were broken How that happened I have no idea. Probably rusted and the top portion of them broke off. Today I will attempt to do an alignment myself. If that doesn't work, I am taking it to a shop because I want an alignment just to be on the safe side.

I hope the stock struts last at least a year. By then, I will have the funds for the ZX2 sturts

skr33t_rac3r

sprint makes a spring that is powder coat blue and it drops the car 2 inch u can usaully find it on ebay or u can go with dropzone coilovers if u want to change the drop but i heard that they suck

beachnut

I bought a set of Eibach Pro's last night on eBay. Got them for $175 plus $30 shipping, not bad. Any helpful install tips would be appreciated Identity X!

Identity_X

It is a pretty easy job. I had a hard time getting to the upper bolts of the struts in the back. There is very little room for work.
Also, I took out my strut/spring assembly and had a hard time unscrewing the bolt that holds the spring inside the strut assembly. It is much easier if you just crack it loose while it is still on the car and then finish unscrewing it once it's out. Other than that, you shouldn't have any problems. Just be careful while working around the brake lines.

Let us know how it goes!

beachnut

Thanks dood! Hopefully I won't encounter some of the same things you did since my KYB's we're installed recently (not by me) and the springs should be loose. I was going to rent some springs compressors from AutoZone. Is that what you did? So, basically what did you do ... remove the strut bolts up top and angle the whole assembly down? Do you have to loosen the strut on the bottom too? I was reading Darryl's how-to, but he doesn't really go into that much about the springs themselves as it's more geared towards strut replacement.

Identity_X

I rented the spring compressor from AutoZone. It was like $60, but they give you a full refund once you bring it back, so it was basically free. I took the whole thing off and changed the springs in my house since it was pretty cold outside in the garage. You understand what bolt I was speaking of above right? It's not the two holding the spring/strut assembly to the car (on top), but the one in the middle. There is a rubber cover on them in the back (can't remember if there's one in the front too). Darryl's site has some pretty helpful pics. The bottom is just two bolts (which were a bitch unscrewing) and the clip that holds the brake lines to the assembly.

The top portion of the assembly comes off once that bolt is completely removed. Make sure you align it properly when the Eibachs are on and you are ready to put it back on. There are small holes on the top and the bottom that you can align it by. I even think they are there for that reason.

If I am not clear on anything just ask, because I did this recently and it's relatively fresh in my mind. You should be able to figure it all out though, its fairly simple.

superdave

If you take out the rear parcel deck, there are holes in it so you can get at at least one of the strut mount bolts. Maybe both... its been well over a year and I can't remember

Identity_X

I know, but it's still pretty tight in there. I was putting my rear strut bar at the same time so that killed some room too

Davard

The forward bolts can be accessed by pulling the part of the seat back that doesn't fold down (grab the top and pull). If you can't get the back bolts with a box-end wrench, then pulling the back deck allows you to put a socket on that nut as well.

mazdaspeedwest

just to add a little tip....when pulling the side bolsters, grab the top and push on the middle. The top is pressure fit in and it's bolted at the bottom. There is a "U" that fits into a slot that holds it in place.

sgpjr

I recently ordered Dropzone spring that lower my car 2in in front 2 in the rear does any one know if there good or should i be worried