Where should I go in San Francisco to have new struts/springs installed?

I want KYB/AGX with... ah crap! I can't remember which springs...

anyhow, shop recommendations?

 

MACHIII does good work.

 

Auto Plus in Daly City does good work as well

 

Heh. DMS's are cool and all, but at 2K+ there are in a bit of a different league than KYBs, dontcha think?

 

LIC Motorsports.

Simple enough. Besides, bring your tools, and you can style my hair while you're there!!

 

DIY. Subaru suspension is extremely simple, it's just 2 clips, (abs and speed sensor), 2 17mm (iirc) bolts that connect the rotor to the shock, and 3 nuts on the strut top. I looked around for pricing, it was too much for my taste; and found Subaru suspension is extremely easy.

 

Yes I agree that the price range is a lot different, but when you consider what you are getting it is way worth it. You just can't compare AGX's to DMS, so comparing their price does not really work either. Anyway, I was just offering an option.

 

Thanks for all the rec's.

I've thought of doing it myself (I've never done it before though so...) wouldn't I need a spring compressor or something?

Hey Roo- If LIC weren't so far away I'd do it.

MachIII, I'll give them a call...

thanks for the suggestions!

 

You can usually borrow a spring compressor from Kragen, etc.

 

Well, another option instead of DMS, is Koni Yellows, which I really like. Though, it's a bit harder at lower speeds since unlike KYBs and a lot of other shocks it has lowspeed dampening. Of course it's not as good as DMS or OHLINS, but it's one of the cheaper well designed shocks.

Depending on what spring setups you want/have I think KYBs only go up to around 350 lbs/in^2 before they blow really quickly and I dunno about KYB, but a lot of shock companies void any type of warranty if you lower your car past a certain point. While Koni have no lowering limit and I think go to around 450lbs/in^2 and have a lifetime warranty on build quality.

As for DIY, you don't need a spring compressor unless your spring lengths are very similar to the stock springs. The hardest part of the install for me, were breaking the torque on the 2 17mm bolts holding the brake assembly to the shock as I broke a socket trying to do it. Make sure you have liquid wrench, and a good sized breaker bar and it should be pretty easy.

I'm curious how people got the bolt of the top of the strut that holds the top hat to the strut. Since I have very few toosl, I used a vice grip and a lot of duct tape to make it so the shaft doesn't spin when trying to loosen or tighten.

 

+1 for the Koni yellows. I had my WRX suspension out in less time than it took my friend to change his FD fuel filter, and MPJ put the springs/struts together for me. Back together just about as fast, and aligned at Auto Innovations. Suby suspension is really easy, and lots of places will put the struts/springs together if you don't like messing with spring compressors (I don't).

 

Depending on the drop of your spring, it will determine if you need a spring compressor. Since, you don't need it when you're taking the springs off since they're not on load, and (like my Ground Control coil sleeves), I didn't need to use it since they were short enough to not need it. It really depends on if you have load or not on the spring.

 

Get a spring compressor from Kragen and do it yourself. Its pretty easy.

 

If you are calling MachIII, ask for Dave or Ray and mention my name Andy with glasses who drive the blue WRX. They will give you special discount if you tell them you are my friend. Hope it help!
Andy

 

Dave actually owns a white WRX before and he was on the board too(I think deesee1), so he knows what's up!!