My Eibach Sportline install(PIC HEAVY); SE sports hatch

[BLarson]

Just posting the pics I took during my install. Before, after, and along the way. The fronts were a pain in the butt, mainly to get the shock out. The rears were easy.

Before:
My son wanted to be included.


Wheel gaps (before):
Front:


Rear:



Install pics:
Strut removed

Looks naked

I didn't have to remove the top
plastic cover to get to the top bolts.

Stock vs. Eibach size

The red has a nice look to it : )

A helpful tidbit which I wish I had known. The rear springs on our Focus' are too small for tool which I rented (for free) from a local auto parts store. The bolt is too long which causes the top of the bolt to bottom out prior to the spring being fully compressed. I "modified" a socket and used another handy tool to create a thick washer between the bottom plate and the end of the bolt. There may be a tool better suited for smaller cars, however, if you go my route and rent one, you'll have to do something similar. You can kind of see in the pic below.

Rears installed and looking sharp


Rear, stock vs Eibach

Dust boots, old vs new

[Sponsor]

[BLarson]

And after:



De-badged. I got my plates this last week. I was happy to see the "WSE" for my "white SE".

Rear camber looks good

Front after

Rear

Front

Rear

The results are awesome! And I love the new look!

[BLarson]

My father in law loved my car and bought one. So after I washed her, I brought her over for a little comparison shoot so you all could see the side by side results I the Sportline install. I found this helpful.

[BLarson]

These springs were installed yesterday and have not yet settled. I've only driven about 3-4 miles on them. I have not had the alignment checked yet but it does not pull at all. I had the little platic flap(the one which falls well below the front bumper) barely scrape a steep driveway once but other than that, I am so far very impressed with the clearance. I have not noticed a significant decrease in ride quality and my wife thought it felt great. Took it out on some nice twisting roads and it handled really well. There is no rubbing from lock to lock. I bought them from partsgeek.com for $200 to my doorstep. I was a little worried about buying from them because of their iffy return policy, but they were the only ones who had them in stock, at a good shipped price. I got them quick with out any issues.

I you have any questions, or need help with your own install, hit me up, and I'll help where I can. Long long ago I was ASE certified in suspension, but that was another life and I am by no means a pro mechanic. I hope you all enjoy, and I hope this helps someone.
BLarson

[TheGlassMaker]

Looks good I remember the smile I carried around all day once I got mine done. Just wait till they settle.

[unida767]

Looks really good man thanks for the detailed thread. The pics next to your father in law's sedan are the best way to see the difference

[BLarson]

Originally Posted by unida767

Looks really good man thanks for the detailed thread. The pics next to your Dad's sedan are the best way to see the difference

Thank you! I thought so too. My car has less than 2000 miles on it. So after I maybe double that, I will post an update to this thread with more pics, including more side by sides with my father in laws.
I should note: his is a sedan(obviously) SE sports pack, auto with sunroof, while mine is a manual with no sunroof. Might be a slight weight difference between the two, but it should be negligible.

[BigDandthegirls]

Why didn't you just use a jack under the rear control arm to compress the new spring? Just wondering if a tool is really needed.

[wantz12]

I honestly think Ox White is the best looking color on this car (don't hate me people), and lowered, it just looks so much better. Nice job!

[Zillon]

Originally Posted by BigDandthegirls

Why didn't you just use a jack under the rear control arm to compress the new spring? Just wondering if a tool is really needed.

If you disconnect the rear shock and the outboard lower control arm bolt, the suspension arm will droop down and you'll be able to slide the spring right in.

Much easier than dealing with spring compressors for the rear.