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NEW Eibach 3837.140 kit... front is too high?

8K views 25 replies 10 participants last post by  4DoorSS 
#1 ·
I had issues with my car being too low. One was I scraped on everything, and second I just kept getting hassled by everyone when trying to get it inspected. ALSO, upon inspection of the OLD springs, one was sagging pretty good. This was an Eibach kit from years ago that I don't know the part number. It was their "extra low" kit (at least that's what the previous owner said). They were blue if that matters.

SO... I ended up getting a NEW Eibach kit as I got it cheap and I liked Eibach in the past. I wanted it to be raised up a bit, but lower than stock. After installing the springs (I'm 90% certain they're in there correctly, no extra spacers, in "the groove", looks all correct front and back), the front looks WAY to high.

The back looks good to me, the front seems to look higher than stock. I hate it. I'm about to put the old springs back on but, wanted to know if this is normal and if they'll "settle in" after a while.

Car drives like brand new, doesn't float around like it did on the "older" springs. Handles great, just looks strange.

Any suggestions / ideas?

Thanks in advance.

NOTE: I know I'm missing the front trim pieces, so that gap would be less with them on, but still that looks high to me! Am I wrong?

(Full car picture, before... individual wheel pictures are the after)
 

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#2 ·
I have the Eibach Pro kit with lots of years on them and the car still sits very nice. The Rear tire looks about right, but something is definitely "off" with the front as that's way too high.

Did you do the install or someone else? The reason I ask is, are you sure that they are up in the Frame Pockets correctly and "clocked" in the lower control arm like they should?? For the front to be sitting that high, either you got the wrong springs OR they are not seated in the pockets correctly. FWIW - My Eibach Springs looked like this a few years back.

 
#4 ·
Thanks guys...

I'm pretty sure they were put in correctly. I did have a local shop do it because I'm lazy, but they let me "help" (watch) at times, and everything looked good, I checked to ensure they were in.

I'll take it back to have them look at it. I've also contacted Eibach and asked them what the deal was. They got back to me and said they're looking into it.

I went out and measured from the center of the rim to the lip of the fender:

Front: 16" (Keep in mind, no molding, so... half inch? 1 inch? Let's say 15")
Rear: 13"

So... add another 13" to get to ground...
Front: 29" (like other post)
Rear: 26"

The frame is level all the way across on the bottom, meaning it doesn't seem to be raked back (front higher)...
 
#5 · (Edited)
same

Same issue with me. I've had the Eibach springs on my car for about 5 years. and the front was and still is considerably higher than where the rear sat. The rear actually sagged even more and I put in Moog 5415 rear springs to actually bring the rear up to match the front better. If i remember correctly, the Moog 5415 is just under stock ride height for the rear of the Imp.


But I've never liked the Eibach set I put in. the front was high or the back was too low. I verified proper placement. proper fit in the upper socket area, all that. the car simply isnt balanced (fender to tire) between the front and rear.

The set I got 5 or 6 years ago was not progressive. looking at their picture now and advertising they are progressive. wonder if they figured something out and changed design? I assume yours were progressive since they were new? i guess they didnt fix anything.

Some guys I've read have liked them a lot. and others I've seen have our issue.

Just posting to bring up that this isn't new. My front has been high for 5 years.

Rob.
 
#6 ·
Just an update... they acknowledge that the height in the front is far too high by inches. Eibach wants me to confirm the part numbers on the front springs to ensure they are the correct springs. I did crawl under and try to find the numbers they said would be there, and I can't see them (if they were there at all, I don't remember them being there). IF they are the wrong springs, they will send me the correct ones. If they are the "correct" springs... not sure what they will do.

As I said, the car drives fine. Very nice actually, smooth. I just do NOT like the look of it. I might swap the other ones back and maybe try to get my money back from Eibach if they can't fix the situation (yeah, good luck!)
 

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#8 ·
If you need P/Ns for the Eibach springs, I can get them to you tonight after I get home, I have yet to install my front springs, as I'm waiting for the shop to finish pressing bushings & ball joints into my powder coated arms.
 
#7 ·
Yeah, that is sitting way too high and either wrong spring or something is not seated correctly. I think I may have a picj of the Spring Part number at home, I'll post it up for you if I find it. These Spring have many years on them, but this is how they sit today.....



Assuming you have an Impala, this is a 95 Caprice but don't think it matters as the cars are basically the same as an Impala with same Frame and Suspension Pieces.
 
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#22 ·
This how mine sets. My Votgland's sit a little lower than this with a stiffer ride both absorbed with Severe Service.
 
#13 ·
Installed mine in 2012. Nice ride, sits fine, somewhat level, but a little soft when the Family piles in. I'll post some pics hopefully tomorrow.
 
#15 ·
Just wanted to give my $.02 on the Eibach springs. I was definitely disappointed by this purchase, like others in this thread. I ordered the eibach pro kit for my 96ss from carid.com and they arrived quickly. But, when I had my very competent mechanic install the springs they put the rear about 3 inches lower than the front. My front wheels are almost flush with the fender lip, the rear was slammed with the wheels sitting WAY inside the wheel wells. It looked ridiculous and rubbed my exhaust bad so I had my mechanic put the stock rear springs back in and the car sits pretty level now. I didn't want to mess with taking out the front springs (one of my stock front springs was actually broken) to return the whole kit so I'm sort of stuck with this crappy purchase. I bought airlift 1000 bags that I still need to install to firm up the rear when adding passengers and also add a little rake. This combo will probably end up working just fine but I just had to add my irritating experience to the list of many on this thread.
 
#17 ·
"Rock and Roll has been going down hill ever since Buddy Holly died"

. I bought airlift 1000 bags that I still need to install to firm up the rear when adding passengers and also add a little rake. This combo will probably end up working just fine but I just had to add my irritating experience to the list of many on this thread.
As I said elsewhere..."capitalism is not an unmixed blessing" Why do smart people do stupid things? Ask Eibach. Once I could trust them, but no more and all to consolidate part #'s? Stupid. The really good news is that the AirLifts will fix it all, the rear spring rate is probably ideal and by leveling the rear side to side you'll offset the out of plumb and not square frame.
 
#18 ·
I've been talking with Eibach about my issues. I told them that I was a member of the Impala SS Forum and that there were several other members that had problems. He took my measurements and compared them to their test vehicle and said that there seems to be a problem. He's not sure if something happened that changed the spring rate. They are going to send me a different set of front springs...that of course are not in stock. I'll try those out but if they don't work out I'm sending it all back to Summit and getting the Hotchkis.


BTW, I called Eibach several times about the issue and never got a return call. So I called Summit and they called Eibach...of course I got a return call after that. The guy I talked to did seem concerned and seems to really want to take care of this. We will see....


I'll keep everyone updated on whats happening.
 
#19 ·
Glad to read that you're getting some customer service.

Do me a favor and measure from the ground to the quarter panel wheel well lip. Mine sits right at 26" with new poly isolators on them.

I measured a buddy's with stock Impala springs, and his sits @ 27".

I'm curious to see where yours is, and if it has settled any?

FWIW, I'm not happy with the 26" height as the tailpipes scrape on my driveway incline leaving/and entering from the road. That said, I still need to:

1. Replace body bushings
2. Install my Front arms, and see if the car has the proper raked look I want. Hopefully I can get to this Saturday...things have just come up this summer and I haven't been able to get to this as I hoped I would have.
 
#21 ·
Eibach sent me a new set of front springs. Gave them some measurements and they said it was too high in the front. They said the new ones should drop the front a couple inches. Havent had a chance to put them on yet. Will keep you guys updated.
 
#23 ·
Installed the springs today. Height from the fender lip to ground is now 26 1/2". I'm sure it will settle a little too. Will put the rears back on tomorrow and post some pics. But I thing it's all going to be good now. The springs had the same part number but the new one said CW and old one said BW.
 

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#24 · (Edited)
Installed the springs today. Height from the fender lip to ground is now 26 1/2". I'm sure it will settle a little too. Will put the rears back on tomorrow and post some pics. But I thing it's all going to be good now. The springs had the same part number but the new one said CW and old one said BW.
Yes, they will settle a little. Did Eibach say anything about the different part numbers and what they represent?

Maybe it's an optical illusion but that spring on the right looks like it may have thicker steel tube. The coils also look like they are further apart to each compared to the other. All of this could affect stiffness and certainly ride height. Whatever it is, they certainly look different.
 
#25 ·
They did not say anything about part numbers. I noticed that the rear springs also have a CW on them. Maybe they have been sending out the wrong fronts??

The new set was noticeably shorter than the previous. The ride seems to be good so far. Installed the rears and the car is almost level with 26.5 in the fron and 26 in the back. I will see if the front settles a little.
 

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#26 ·
A picture is worth a thousand words.

Nice job, IMHO that stance is about as perfect as you can get for a car that needs to be driven on today's roads. :smile2::smile2:

Looks GREAT!! More importantly, I bet the ride/handling is pretty good too for a otherwise stock suspension.
 
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