Eibach Issues....Need help....

[CarNoob]

So installed eibach springs not too long ago maybe a month or so. All in all minus a few headaches the install went pretty well for a novice such as myself. After finishing there was a noticeable vibration at specific speed range of 15-20 and coming from the driver front....Thinking I installed something incorrectly on the left front strut I reinstalled it more carefully and although I thought I had fixed the issue it came back just at faster speed now at 35-45...

Now I have just taken it to the Chevy dealer where I am being advised I need to replace both of my axles left and right side. "Found axle to be at wrong angle due to car being lowered." is what's written in the notes section of the diagnosis. Now if the axles are at the wrong angle due to lowering the car won't replacing the axles just continue the issue further? I really do not want to buy whole new axles just to have to replace my eibachs back to stock, just don't see the point. Any help would be greatly appreciated. 1.8 sonic sedan 2013

 

[CarNoob]

FYI really not enjoying the customer service or shall I say lack of customer service from these Chevy dealers, I came from Karl Black in Orlando thinking that coming to SFL to the Schumacher "family" was going to be a better experience.......well it's not, and Chevy and GM in general is really sucking it up in my book pertaining to actually taking care of customers instead of shuving them out the door asap.

 

[Stew]

I'm pretty sure I've read of at least one person having bad CV joints, perhaps they were already pretty bad on your car and the new springs simply amplified that. There are sure enough people running lowered Sonic's that I can't see being lowered as a big problem.

Do you have to buy whole axles or can you just get the joints as a separate part? Seems like that would at least be a little less expensive.

 

[CarNoob]

They are advising in their infinite wisdom to replace the entire axle, which I am taking their word for. I would replace it myself but I have zero experience with axles only wheels suspension and bolt on easy stuff.

I'm pretty sure I could buy the axles cheaper from GM direct though they are quoting me around 250 an axle which sounds right but I thought I saw cheaper

 

[Natesriv]

I think of CV joints when I hear "axle"...

how much of a drop?

 

[CarNoob]

Eibach Pro kit on stock struts. 2inches or less definitely not anymore than that

 

[Natesriv]

DRIVE AXLES.. Fits: Sonic 1.4L Automatic LT, Sonic 1.4L Automatic LTZ, Sonic 1.4L Automatic RS, Sonic 1.4L M/T LT, Sonic 1.4L M/T LTZ... | Jim Ellis Chevrolet

I see the CV joint at 169... but there's an intermediate shaft too...

how bad is the vibration? For sheets and geegles, try rotating tires?

 

[Stew]

how bad is the vibration? For sheets and geegles, try rotating tires?

That's a great idea, swap fronts and backs and see if the problem follows the tires.

 

[CarNoob]

I wish it was that easy trust me, immediately after installing the springs I noticed the issue thought it was balance/alignment issues got it balanced, realigned and rotated and the problem felt exactly the same, literally no change at all.

 

[KlassKlown]

I wish it was that easy trust me, immediately after installing the springs I noticed the issue thought it was balance/alignment issues got it balanced, realigned and rotated and the problem felt exactly the same, literally no change at all.

are you under warranty?

 

[mitdr774]

Even if under warranty the dealer could argue that the altered half shaft angle caused the tripod or CV to wear prematurely. Then it would be up to the customer to prove otherwise to get it covered under warranty.

I know this isnt something you want to hear, but try swapping the springs back out and see if the issue is still there. Inspect the boots for any damage, make sure that nothing is coming into contact with any rotating parts it is not supposed to. Make sure that all previous work done by people other than yourself was actually performed correctly.

 

[CarNoob]

I guess I'm going to have to.....I just don't understand how there are sonics out there running fine with eibachs yet mine is out of whack completely? I'm looking at trading this thing in at this point, the stock ride is dreary and flat out boring and after getting interested into motorsport I just want out of this if I can't modify it or at least have it look decent while going slow...

Replacing the axles will cost almost $1000 and is what is recommended by my dealer who cares about me oh so much.....but what do you guys think? is that even going to fix the issue. If the angle from being lowered is the issue won't replacing the axles have no effect and just vibrate all over again?

 

[KlassKlown]

Thats ^^ actually what I was going to recommend if he was within warranty. If you manage to know everything prior to heading into a dealership, the first best thing to do is revert everything back to stock and fight from there starting with the lowest person there assisting you then going up to the supervisor and eventually to a manager of the dealership. Yeah the dealership will attempt to argue every bit just so it's not their fault and to not replace it under warranty. At that point he could just switch dealers and try his luck somewhere else and find one with like you said Customer Service.

Good luck..

 

[sonic007]

My car is on the ground and I get zero vibration..