Solstice wheels and lowering
09-19-2008, 07:38 PM
#1
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Join Date: 03-08-2008
Location: United States of Texas
Posts: 505
Solstice wheels and lowering
Well I put on the Solstice wheels and Goldline lowering springs today. Ran into a few problems because I did not know what I was doing but live and learn.
Tires- 225-45-18 is the biggest tire you can put with out rubbing even with spacers. I ordered a set of take off wheels from a Solstice. Apperiantly some have 225-45-18 and some have 245-45-18, I got the 245-45's and they were too big. It actually hit on the bottom of the strut and on the inside. Had to buy new tires..... 225-45-18 fit with only a small 1/4 spacer and would probably fit with out a spacer but I wanted a little more clearance. I painted the drums and spacers black and the wheels really look nice.
Goldline lowering springs- They were a pain to install only because I did not know what I was doing. The first side was a pain but the second side only took about 45 minutes by myself.
Tips. Use a big breakover bar to break the large nut on top loose before you remove anything but DO NOT COMPLTLY REMOVE IT! if you do the whole spring comes apart and then it is a total pain to get out. Trust me on this one. Loosen up all three of the small bolts on each side then remove front wheels and take out three bolts on the strut (2 on strut one on sway bar)
Remove bottom blots then 3 nuts on top and pull strut out the bottom. Spring compressor to change springs and reinstall in reverse order.
2 Floor jacks and several jack stands makes the job easier also my 36" break over bar helped to.
Problems- I tried several times to get my TPS calibrated and it does not seem to want to. The front took a long time and the back did not even want to do it. I will try it again because I am getting the warning on the tire sensors. I think this is a minor problem but after having the problem with the drivers side strut I did not feel like messing with it anymore.
With the new wheels and tires the car rides much smoother and feels soo much more stable than stock. O'Reilly's had the strut spring compressor for free loaner with deposit, brought it back got my money back. Free is always a good price. IMHO
I will try to find out how to post pictures here to show how she looks.
I did the lowering and wheels to get a better look, better aerodynamics, possibly better mileage but am pleased and surprised to have a better ride to.
Tires- 225-45-18 is the biggest tire you can put with out rubbing even with spacers. I ordered a set of take off wheels from a Solstice. Apperiantly some have 225-45-18 and some have 245-45-18, I got the 245-45's and they were too big. It actually hit on the bottom of the strut and on the inside. Had to buy new tires..... 225-45-18 fit with only a small 1/4 spacer and would probably fit with out a spacer but I wanted a little more clearance. I painted the drums and spacers black and the wheels really look nice.
Goldline lowering springs- They were a pain to install only because I did not know what I was doing. The first side was a pain but the second side only took about 45 minutes by myself.
Tips. Use a big breakover bar to break the large nut on top loose before you remove anything but DO NOT COMPLTLY REMOVE IT! if you do the whole spring comes apart and then it is a total pain to get out. Trust me on this one. Loosen up all three of the small bolts on each side then remove front wheels and take out three bolts on the strut (2 on strut one on sway bar)
Remove bottom blots then 3 nuts on top and pull strut out the bottom. Spring compressor to change springs and reinstall in reverse order.
2 Floor jacks and several jack stands makes the job easier also my 36" break over bar helped to.
Problems- I tried several times to get my TPS calibrated and it does not seem to want to. The front took a long time and the back did not even want to do it. I will try it again because I am getting the warning on the tire sensors. I think this is a minor problem but after having the problem with the drivers side strut I did not feel like messing with it anymore.
With the new wheels and tires the car rides much smoother and feels soo much more stable than stock. O'Reilly's had the strut spring compressor for free loaner with deposit, brought it back got my money back. Free is always a good price. IMHO
I will try to find out how to post pictures here to show how she looks.
I did the lowering and wheels to get a better look, better aerodynamics, possibly better mileage but am pleased and surprised to have a better ride to.
09-19-2008, 08:34 PM
#4
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: 03-08-2008
Location: United States of Texas
Posts: 505
09-19-2008, 08:37 PM
#5
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: 03-08-2008
Location: United States of Texas
Posts: 505
very nice!!!
