Are all Eibach's created equal?

[sdg3205]

I've got a set of Eibach shocks and springs that came with 2510. I have no idea how old they are or how many miles they have endured; they came in a box.

Have the Eibach spring/shock packages changed over the years or has the equipment stayed the same? I don't immediately see how the rear shocks I have are adjustable and I fear if I install them the back end will sit too low.

[louielouie2000]

I know not all the spring sets are created equal (I know nothing of the shocks). The early sets had shorter height front springs. Apparently DMCH will trade those early front springs for newer taller ones due to customer complaints of the early ones being too low (all this is according to Farrar Hudkins).

[Nicholas R]

That's interesting, I've never heard that before about the early eibachs.

We did some research here on spring rates and heights a few years back. We probably tested at least 20 different stock springs and a dozen different eibach springs, as well as a set of grady's lowered springs, and some other ones we dont know there they came from. The findings were that the Eibach's were the most consistent in every category. Spring rates were always within about 1lb/in and never more than about .0625-.125 different in heights (negligible). The stock ones on the other hand were all over the place. Heights spanned a range of almost 1" from shortest to tallest, and the spring rates varied as much as 10lb/in.

[DMCH James]

I've got a set of Eibach shocks and springs that came with 2510. I have no idea how old they are or how many miles they have endured; they came in a box.

Have the Eibach spring/shock packages changed over the years or has the equipment stayed the same? I don't immediately see how the rear shocks I have are adjustable and I fear if I install them the back end will sit too low.

Post a pics of what you've got and I'll try to help you identify the shocks. All the rear shocks we've ever sold have had adjustable, threaded, collars.


I know not all the spring sets are created equal (I know nothing of the shocks). The early sets had shorter height front springs. Apparently DMCH will trade those early front springs for newer taller ones due to customer complaints of the early ones being too low (all this is according to Farrar Hudkins).

I'm not sure where Farrar got this - I've spoken with him about his springs, but don't ever recall anything like you are suggesting here.

James

[DMCMW Dave]

I don't recall any changes in the Eibach spring height/rate, never have heard it mentioned.

I do recall that there was a minor change maybe 5 years ago in outside diameter,.

[Rich]

I've got a set of Eibach shocks and springs....I don't immediately see how the rear shocks I have are adjustable and I fear if I install them the back end will sit too low.

Be sure we have an agreed terminology about "adjustable" rear suspension components.

1. Aftermarket shocks may or may not be adjustable for jounce and rebound damping, what most would call ride firmness or stiffness. That would be accomplished externally via a valve adjustment, as found on SPAX shocks for D's. Nothing whatever to do with ride height. Your DMCH shocks likely are not adjustable in this sense.
2. Most DeLorean aftermarket rear shock designs, including the ones you got from DMCH, include external threads/collars such that the lower spring split collar can be adjusted up and down the shock body in order to tune the rear ride height. Nothing whatever to do with ride stiffness.

So if you do install your Eibach kit then it will not sit too low in back unless you set it that way. The problem, to the extent you will have one, will be choosing the rear ride height.

[DMCMW Dave]

There was an earlier (7+ years ago) version of DMCH aftermarket shocks, and some others from Grady, that were non-adjustable with respect to rear height or damping. A photo here would solve a lot of discussion. . .

[sdg3205]

James,

Here are some pictures. Looks like they were shipped around September 2001? Anyway, this is everything that I've got. Let me know what you think.

Ron - I'm most concerned with rear ride height.

[DMCMW Dave]

Those are indeed the early non-adjustable DMCH shocks. Height is fixed, and would be the same as it would be with stock shocks and any the same spring. I can't say I've ever seen a lower bushing fail like that, but they are 11 years old.

[sdg3205]

Those are indeed the early non-adjustable DMCH shocks. Height is fixed, and would be the same as it would be with stock shocks and any the same spring. I can't say I've ever seen a lower bushing fail like that, but they are 11 years old.

Dave - just so I'm clear on this - you're saying with these shocks and springs the rear ride height would remain the same as stock set up?

EDIT - Is there any value to these or are they toast?

[DMCMW Dave]

Dave - just so I'm clear on this - you're saying with these shocks and springs the rear ride height would remain the same as stock set up?

EDIT - Is there any value to these or are they toast?

Ride height will be determined by the springs. If you have OEM springs then you will get OEM height. you can verify this yourself, measure the spring perch height on the OE and the ones you have. If it is higher or lower the car will be higher or lower.

As to value? That depends on whether or not you can replace that missing bushing, and whether or not they are still functional with respect to damping. I can't really tell from here. You stated that you don't know the mileage on them either. I suspect they were removed for a reason, most people don't take off parts that still work.

[Jonathan]

All the rear shocks we've ever sold have had adjustable, threaded, collars.

No intent to hyjack/divert this thread Dave, I just thought of a question that might fit here nice.

On the subject of rear adjustability, I recently jacked the rear end of the car to change my oil. I had my jack centred under the engine cross member with a 2x6 in there, and when I raised the rear wheels, I noticed the passenger side go high enough to slide the ramp under, but the driver's side didn't give me enough room until I pumped the jack a few more times to get the driver's side higher.

Should I read into anything with what appears to be the driver's side rear wheel hanging lower once suspended versus the passenger side rear wheel that hangs a little higher? My ramps (resin/plastic) are identical height and the floor is very flat. Is there something else I am overlooking why the two wheels would hang about 1/2" or more different once in the air? Is this in any way related to an adjustment on the shocks/springs/suspension? I have stock springs (that I'm aware of) and Mid-State D/Marty Maeier shocks from vintage 5 years ago or so.

[DMCMW Dave]

No intent to hyjack/divert this thread Dave, I just thought of a question that might fit here nice.

On the subject of rear adjustability, I recently jacked the rear end of the car to change my oil. I had my jack centred under the engine cross member with a 2x6 in there, and when I raised the rear wheels, I noticed the passenger side go high enough to slide the ramp under, but the driver's side didn't give me enough room until I pumped the jack a few more times to get the driver's side higher.

Should I read into anything with what appears to be the driver's side rear wheel hanging lower once suspended versus the passenger side rear wheel that hangs a little higher? My ramps (resin/plastic) are identical height and the floor is very flat. Is there something else I am overlooking why the two wheels would hang about 1/2" or more different once in the air? Is this in any way related to an adjustment on the shocks/springs/suspension? I have stock springs (that I'm aware of) and Mid-State D/Marty Maeier shocks from vintage 5 years ago or so.

Actually the shock adjustment or the spring will not impact the hanging dimension. That is only a function of the extended length of the shock. So you have either one shock longer than the other, a bad bushing at the top of one shock, or the floor is not as level as you think .

[stevedmc]

Actually the shock adjustment or the spring will not impact the hanging dimension. That is only a function of the extended length of the shock. So you have either one shock longer than the other, a bad bushing at the top of one shock, or the floor is not as level as you think .

Could a rusted trailing arm bolt cause something like this?

[DMCMW Dave]

Could a rusted trailing arm bolt cause something like this?

No. That would imply that there is so much friction in the trailing arm junction that it would keep the shock absorber from extending fully. Not possible. The bolt never twists in the arm even when not rusted. The twist is all in the bushing.