202rules
09-07-2005, 03:15 PM
So just as my stock exhaust fell off because of rust, some suspension parts seem to be on their way to go very soon too, and I hope I get to fixing that problem sooner!
My mechanic said he couldn't align my wheels last week because all the bolts were completely rusted and he gave me a list of things that will need to be replaced. I also took a look at the shocks while the car was up and saw that they were leaking. To be honest with you I knew this was coming, my car sounds so squeeky on bumps and even when I accelerate sometimes or brake.
So I thought that this is probably a good enough excuse to spend money on lowering the car once and for all, while at the same time trying to forget that that would subsequently make me want new wheels even more :D
I'm hoping to do this myself with the help of one of my friends who has jacks and air tools and a big guarage, and possibly another friend who has done this kind of stuff to japanese cars before, mainly civics.
All I need now is to ask your opinions on the parts list that I have on my hand right now:
First, this is what the mechanic said needs to be ordered for him to fix the rust problem and be able to do the alignment (total $270.00 @ retail pricing from the mechanic)
1- Tie rod ends (Qty 2)
2- Control arm struts (Qty 2)
3- Bolt Kit (Qty 4)
4- Eccentric adjusting kit (Qty 2)
Now to lower the car, I "believe" I will only need the following:
5- Eibach pro kit for springs (Qty 4).
6- Bilstein sport shocks (Qty 4).
7- Probably wanna get new pads too (Qty 4)
8- Speedybenz's camber arms? Will I really have a camber problem even with the eibach springs which don't lower the car as much as the other brands? Most common opinion on the board from research has been to wait until the alignment to figure out if the problem exists. That's my current opinion too.
Anything else missing? Any of those first 4 seem like something that will need to be different than stock because of lowering the car? Does any of the first 4 seem like something that the mechanic could be trying to inflate my bill with and I should investigate further?
I do like to preserve comfort in the ride as much as possible and not lower the car a lot, I would like to avoid tire, bumper and downpipe scraping, thus my choice for the eibach springs. The bilstein choice was made because they're significantly cheaper than koni. Also, I don't go to the track, so I'm mostly interested in better looks and just the feel of improved handling. Keeping cost as low as possible is also of high priority, but without compromising on safety or quality and durability of parts, it's a Mercedes afterall.
I appreciate your comments, and sorry for the long posting.
My mechanic said he couldn't align my wheels last week because all the bolts were completely rusted and he gave me a list of things that will need to be replaced. I also took a look at the shocks while the car was up and saw that they were leaking. To be honest with you I knew this was coming, my car sounds so squeeky on bumps and even when I accelerate sometimes or brake.
So I thought that this is probably a good enough excuse to spend money on lowering the car once and for all, while at the same time trying to forget that that would subsequently make me want new wheels even more :D
I'm hoping to do this myself with the help of one of my friends who has jacks and air tools and a big guarage, and possibly another friend who has done this kind of stuff to japanese cars before, mainly civics.
All I need now is to ask your opinions on the parts list that I have on my hand right now:
First, this is what the mechanic said needs to be ordered for him to fix the rust problem and be able to do the alignment (total $270.00 @ retail pricing from the mechanic)
1- Tie rod ends (Qty 2)
2- Control arm struts (Qty 2)
3- Bolt Kit (Qty 4)
4- Eccentric adjusting kit (Qty 2)
Now to lower the car, I "believe" I will only need the following:
5- Eibach pro kit for springs (Qty 4).
6- Bilstein sport shocks (Qty 4).
7- Probably wanna get new pads too (Qty 4)
8- Speedybenz's camber arms? Will I really have a camber problem even with the eibach springs which don't lower the car as much as the other brands? Most common opinion on the board from research has been to wait until the alignment to figure out if the problem exists. That's my current opinion too.
Anything else missing? Any of those first 4 seem like something that will need to be different than stock because of lowering the car? Does any of the first 4 seem like something that the mechanic could be trying to inflate my bill with and I should investigate further?
I do like to preserve comfort in the ride as much as possible and not lower the car a lot, I would like to avoid tire, bumper and downpipe scraping, thus my choice for the eibach springs. The bilstein choice was made because they're significantly cheaper than koni. Also, I don't go to the track, so I'm mostly interested in better looks and just the feel of improved handling. Keeping cost as low as possible is also of high priority, but without compromising on safety or quality and durability of parts, it's a Mercedes afterall.
I appreciate your comments, and sorry for the long posting.