Brake Kit/Suspension Kit Replacement
 

Hello All.

So while I was getting my ceased caliper replaced, I noticed that my LCA's are rusted to sh*t, amongst many other things.

I was looking to lower my car, however, I was told if my LCA's are rusted, I will need to replace them.

Based on this picture, I think I will be replacing my LCA's as well as my sway bar.

My gf's brother recommended I replace everything buy purchasing a "Big Brake Kit", but obviously this won't affect the suspension.

Is there any places that sell packages with Lowering Springs/LCA's/Sway Bar?

I would like to replace all, but would love to save as much as possible when doing so.

Any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Mixed1

option jdm, TEK

YAY, another suspension question. I love these. Ok, so by the looks of your pics it really looks no different than anyone elses STOCK lcas and sway bar in terms of the wear and tear. The stock RS,LS,GS,SE, GSR? sway bar is all the same size and because its so small it really doesnt make too much of a difference in terms of performance. If you uprade to Type R or even bigger ASR sway bar you will notice the difference.

The LCA's really come down to the bushing. Id assume that the bushings you have area probably shot and everything is seized back there.

Here is my suspension details, Polished GP Racing LCA's with Polyurathane bushings, Function & Form Type 2 coilovers, and also getting for the new teg an ASR Subframe with a Type R front and rear swaybar upgrade.

In terms of a "Big Brake Kit" , if you're reffering to getting things like Willwood/Brembo/Endless/Spoon calipers and ----...its not worth the money. I doubt your gonna be needing any of that. Our simple stock brakes will do. Maybe some newer pads and rotors but thats it.

Also, for lowering, not trying to bash on you or anything, but springs is just the cheap way out. Maybe im biased because I have Type 2's but man spend the coin and get a decent set up. Check this thread for some details on my suspension and others.

SUSPENSION DISCUSSION THREAD

Also, my parts were purchased at OptionJDM, go to them and speak with them and ask them some questions also. They'll be able to help you out alot and give you some nice deals.

there are usually deals that sell coilovers and give free lca's but thats not always the case i know weaksauce.org was having a promotion like that a few months ago maybe its still going on, give them a look.

Sometimes when you go to a store and order numerous things they can give you some sort of discount. if your looking for brand new try giving OptionJDM a try they are wonderful at customer service.

I think i mentioned this before for weaksauce ^^^ In the end with shipping and fees and what not it'll come out to the same amount as if you purchased it here. Also if you buy it here you have the advantage of going in person for any problems you have with a product

^^^ understood but he can always give them a try and compare prices too.

Yea thats always a plus. I know someplaces can go around the whole shipping thing. But I know for a fact that weaksauce will add their own price on top of the shipping, and depending who comes and gives you the package (ex: UPS) they'll charge alot more. Plus theres always peace of mind of simply driving somewhere to get warranty on whatever, but for overseas stuff you'll have to go through that annoying procedure of mailing it in, and half the time you dont get a response from the vendor.

Thanks for the input everyone.

I'm thinking I might just hit up option to buy the parts and install them at home or ask my mechanic to do it.

Looking to buy the ASR 24MM Sway Bar w/ Subframe Brace and either Blox/Skunk2 LCA's.

I am ALSO looking to buy a big brake kit, but after looking at the pricing, I might have to hold off a bit on that, lol.

Go poor mans R brake setup.

ITR front calipers on 96 Prelude SRV rotors that are re-drilled to 4x100. Get Brembo blanks with some decent hawk or kvr pads and then Motul 5.1 brake fluid. The rears can even be Monroe pads/rotors from Crappy Tire since most of your braking is done up front.

GSR front calipers are also a decent setup to keep your stock Brake Booster and Master Cylinder setup.


For suspension, although coilovers are amazing pieces to have on any vehicle wanting to hit the track, I know people who raced all their lives say even a set of Koni yellows on a firm set of springs are perfect to learn on and still soft enough to DD driving.

Sway bars, I do believe the GSR rear is slightly larger then RS, SE, LS, GS. And then Type R are 22-24mm. For a very cheap investment to stiffen your front end, look into a Megan Racing or NRG front lower H brace. $50 gets you some stiff front end performance that can also protect your exhaust.

Just my 2 cents.

Ok so...I partially agree with what was said.

David, springs are not the cheap way out. Dampers such as koni yellows are designed a hell of a lot better than f&f and all the coilovers that are madly overpriced such as buddy club/pic etc.
Yes with coilovers you have the advantage of lowering the car to exact spec you want...though if you decide to get adjustable perch sleeves you can adjust the height with springs. Now I want to make this clear, do NOT buy the coilover sleeves. Using the bottom of the sleeve with a lowering spring is what I really ment. Though this is not too practical but it works.
Also the whole idea of slamming the car and making it handle better...doesn't work. By lowering the car like many of us do, we reduce the ability to handle around corners. That is because you reduce suspension travel. Anybody who has a lowered car, look at the front upper control arm. Its pointing up isn't it? Well the way the suspension was designed, the upper control arms should be pointing down allowing suspension travel resulting in better grip, less premature parts wear and better/more stable ride.

So now that I got that off my chest, what are your goals for the car? Track? Just daily? You can. Buy parts and throw everything on. Or you can do some research/math and actually calculate the proper spring rates/dampers/sway bar sprung rates for your application.

Oh and also, big brake kits/cross drilled and slotted rotors and all that nonsense...is a waste of money. Upgrading brakes to bigger size is useful if you track the car a lot but I'm assuming the car will see street 99.9% of the time, upgrading to brembo blanks and some hawk pads will be more than sufficient.

^^ co-sign on this comment.

Kudos to you bro

I wasnt trying to say that just springs / strut combos are cheap. i was reffering to just springs on stock struts. I just dont see why just doing up the springs is a way of trying to lower, just doesnt make sence without doing the struts

With a higher sprung rate sway bars, stock (properly functioning) OEM dampers and eibach sportline springs it will handle very well and ride very very comfortably.

When I had my strut spring combo (kyb agx + tein s-tech) I loved it. It handled nice though sway bars would have been very nice but besides that, I would almost keep up with my buddy with koni yellow coilovers (MK3 jetta) around the corners and on bumpy roads my car rode so much smoother.

Martin is partially right, too slammed will have a negative effect on handling...

However, it's not so much the travel of the suspension that effects handling (though it does to a point... idealy you want the roll center at a certain position, usually with the lower control arms at a slight downward angle towards the wheels), it's the spring rates (related to the weight and weight distribution of the vehicle) and how well matched the dampers are to the spring rates that has the most effect on handling, with regards to suspension.