quick question...when you assembled the front struts together with
the springs, did you have to compress the springs at all to get the
piston shaft nut on over the mount? if not, the springs are probably
too short.

Since you have Gsedan35's blessing on his struts, go ahead and
cut that bumpstop a good 1.2 inches on the front. that alone should
help you quite a bit. if you are still riding the bumpstops (which I think
you still will over BIG bumps) you'll want to get the aftermarket struts/shocks
and even Koni bumpstops.

 

GSedan, thanks for the generous offer and info. I found those X stock rates from a posting here awhile back (before the site was updated). The techs at Tokico say the strut cartilage is the same for both cars. Just different perch. I will try the bump stop trim first to see how that affects it.

Kenchan, that's a good suggestion on trimming them back by 1.2". Yes, the springs did have to be compressed to be installed. Here's a stupid question.... how do I trim the bumpstops? Do I need to remove them and use a box cutter?
I haven't had a chance to check under the car.

[IMG]C:\pics\ham ID\G35_quabbin_011.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]C:\pics\ham ID\G35_SpringInstall_011.jpg[/IMG]

 

GSedan, thanks for the generous offer and info. I found those X stock rates from a posting here awhile back (before the site was updated). The techs at Tokico say the strut cartilage is the same for both cars. Just different perch. I will try the bump stop trim first to see how that affects it.

Kenchan, that's a good suggestion on trimming them back by 1.2". Yes, the springs did have to be compressed to be installed. Here's a stupid question.... how do I trim the bumpstops? Do I need to remove them and use a box cutter? I haven't had a chance to check under the car.

 

I think a few people here have lowered their X with Tein H-Techs. I wonder if they are having the same problems. I was thinking of lowering my X with H-Techs and Tokico D spec shocks. I figured if I was taking stuff apart, I'd just do the whole thing. On another note, I wonder if any of the coilover systems will work on the X? Anyone do this yet?

 

>Here's a stupid question.... how do I trim the bumpstops? Do I need to remove them and use a box cutter? I haven't had a chance to check under the car.


Not a stupid question at all.

Yep, as you said, you need to dissassemble the strut and remove the boot
from the strut. If the design is the same as the coupe, pry out the bumpstop
from the boot (I think it was a tan color) and then cut it with a box cutter
about 1.2".

Since you said you have preload on the springs when you assembled the struts,
im assuming the spring length is correct. Give that trimming a try and let us know
how it goes.

 

Thanks for the tip on the bumpstops, KenChan. I have scheduled garage time on Monday, so if all goes as planned, I will have results.

 

Can anyone offer any comments on the Tien H-Techs?

I have an 05 x and want to lower when I get some new wheels but had no intention of doing anything with the struts -- I am not after suspension bliss (at least in this car) but rather to just remove some of the fender gap.

Based on the comments within this thread, I am leaning towards new wheels and that's it...

Thanks in advance for any help and insight.

M

 

harleydood- if you plan on new wheels without lowering the car, try to get nothing
larger than 18's and use stock offset, nothing super wide.

otherwise your car will really look lifted.

 

kenchan --

Thanks for the insight. I was planning on 18's anyway with the stock offset -- I work in DC so anything larger than 18s would be way too painful.

I still want to lower my x -- I just don't want to jeapordize ride quality as has been mentioned... Surely there are enough x owners wanting to reduce fender gap that it warrants an application specific spring.

Need some advice -- thanks.

 

harleydood, there must be something wrong with your install or something man. I just got the Eibach prokit installed today on my 04 G35x and the ride is perfectly fine. I would say the ride quality has not suffered at all, it actually seems to be improved probably because of the progressive spring rates.

 

I would REALLY appreciate some opinions on lowering my coupe. I recently upgraded wheels & tires to KDW's on 19" BBS.

Granted, it would look much better with a 1" drop to close the gap. But my wish list is improved handling + closing the gap.

I have wrestled with the all the posts on the subject here + other websites and found thatEibach pro-kit or 350z springs seem to fairly prevalent, but frankly the info is starting to run together which = a headache.

I'm looking for 'real world' experience to push this decision 'over the edge'. I'm leaning toward going ahead and getting the camber & traction adjustment pieces just to make sure that boat load of cash I spent of rubber doesn't fade away too quickly & it doesn't ride like a rock.
'Course a little rock with your ride isn't such a bad thing.

Please provide your 1st hand opinions.

 

pimpinG- how did it go today? Were you able to fix the problem?

 

Do you remember the numbers on the springs? Maybe you can compare
with pimpinG's and see if he got the right springs.... maybe he got the
z springs by accident?!

 

Good news, I had my bumpstops trimmed by 1.2" today. The ride quality is back!! I drove it around town in search of all the problematic road irregularities and shined with passing colors. Only one very large dip caused the front to bottom out. But I must admit, I was test driving the car as though it was a rental, hehehe.

BigWilly, yes the Prokit does ride better than stock on smaller bumps and irregularity. However, test it over some large dips, especially the type that spans the entire width of the lane, thus causing both tires to compress simultaneously. That would be the true test. Please keep us posted on your findings so we can share this information with other X owners interested in lowering.

Thanks to all, especially KenChan and GSedan for all your insights and support. I wouldn't have figured it out without you.

In summary:
The Eibach Prokit (#6363.140) for the G35 will work for the X, but the front bumpstops must be trimmed back by 1.2".

 

very cool! Glad it worked out for you.