Just how bad is an ebay suspension setup?

[Helms]

I'd love to lower my suspension, not to the point of being "slammed" but at least fairly lower so it doesn't look wrong having a front and rear lip on the car. CB's also look amazing lowered, very underrated. I've read very mixed reviews on an eBay suspension set up and if anyone has any knowledge or experience, I'd like to know more. Also, if you've had experience could you post exactly what brand(s) you bought each part from? Thank you.

I've searched and found this thread on an affordable set up, and as good as the price is, it's hard to find that money being in college. http://www.cb7tuner.com/vbb/showthread.php?t=177121

[jhoff]

If your on a budget, do what I did with my first Accord.
I got used 2" springs on the fourms, and then bought gr2s.
Total spent, $280.
generic coil overs are just made to be junk.

For my CE1 I spent good money and got Function and Form Type Ones, allows for a massive drop, and gives you a full strut.

[wildBill83]

I bought quality suspension parts off of eBay. I think I spent just over $600 for Koni Yellows revalved for a drop and H&R race springs.

[deevergote]

eBay doesn't make anything, so "ebay suspension" isn't something that exists.
If you mean low-quality suspension components... do you really want your life to depend on such things? If they break, you crash. If you crash, the least that will happen is that you'll cause damage to your car, or someone else's property. You may also injure or kill yourself, your passengers, or innocent bystanders. Not worth the risk to save a few bucks. Save your milk money for a little longer, and do it the safe way.

jhoff's method of buying used springs and decent new shocks is a good one. GR2s aren't really made for a drop that low (though 2" isn't THAT low)... but they're a hell of a lot better than lowering on old stock shocks.
If you're lowering on a budget, you're better off buying functional used quality parts than brand new cheap shit.

[ferenza]

I have experienced the ebay stuff and i thought it was FAIR.
I bought:

-lower balljoints and lower control arms
-upper control arms withe balljoints
-rear upper and lower control arms
- rear toe arms
- front brake lines/rear drum brake lines
- No name 2" lowering springs (spring rate-220f/140r)
- 1" lowering shocks
- Brand new(not a reman) steering rack
- outer tie rods
- energy suspension anti-sway bar end link bushings

My springs and shocks rode very good when i was in the car alone or with one passenger.But as soon as i put someone in the back , i scraped on every pebble.My other problem that i had was that the lower ball joints ( after a year ) started squealing up something fierce .So i changed all my ball joints to Moogs that i bought on ebay(which is still cheaper than in the store).All the other parts are still in great condition.I also swapped my springs out for better ones but now i have ground control coil sleeves.
I dont have an issue with buying parts on ebay but some stuff is really cheap and questionable(just like most autozone crap).Other than the stuff above, everything else is great and hasnt given me no problems.Its possible to find good used springs and shocks for cheap on craigslist for the price of the ebay ones.
If you drive normal and don't go racer X-ing everywhere,then the parts i bought are a good alternative.My other ball joints werent squealing and were still new but i just wanted to do everything again since the stuff was off already.I can say that it feels better than my old ratty ass 20 year old stuff for sure

[93a-lude]

I bought a. Cheap set of upper control arms n had the upper ball joint come thru the control arm when driving n almost crashed ....3 miles from leaving shop after completion......I almost sued the company for the damages, but they sent me a. Check that covered everything that got damaged instead

[jhoff]

My first Accord, I bought a front end rebuild kit from Ebay.
It worked great, no issues. But for Struts and Springs/Coil-Overs, buy from a well known company. I paid $200 for 4 Gr2s, from Ebay. It had free shipping.
I also purchased Amber sidemarkers for both cars, a replacement bumper, and rear suspension bushings. Oh, and my Function and Forms from Ebay.
As long as you do some research, I think youll be ok. Just watch out for Fake JDM stuff, Tein is really bad.

[deevergote]

The OP is clearly asking about springs/coilovers. Probably isn't even thinking about shocks. Certainly isn't thinking about replacing the other necessary components, because he's a poor college student.

Helms, you're in college. I assume that means you're reasonably intelligent.
Think about it. If you go cheap on your suspension, and it fails... you crash. Such a crash could be deadly. At the very least, it will be expensive. Far more expensive than doing it right the first time. Is it worth that risk?

When it comes to things that could kill or bankrupt you if they fail, don't go cheap. If you can't afford to do it right, you can't afford to do it. Period. Pick something else that you can cheap out on. In fact, pick ANYTHING else to cheap out on, as suspension is the worst possible choice in that matter (and sadly, the one with the most cheap, unsafe options on the market!)
Cheap out on engine mods, the worst you'll do is blow your engine. Cheap out on electronics, and the worst you'll do is fry your electrical system (ok, you might set the car on fire... but you SHOULD be able to escape that before it kills you!)
Those who have used cheap stuff and didn't crash... consider them lucky. Those who used cheap things that have failed (a few in this thread, in fact... myself among them), take their advice. Those that have used cheap stuff that lead to a deadly crash... well... they're not here to advise you.

[belac515]

I've rode in cars with ebay coilovers sleeves, I'm assuming that's what you're talking about, and it was awful. However cool you think you look in a lowered car there are 100 other people that will laugh at you as you bounce down the street.
Seriously it's like sitting in a moon bounce while fat kids jump around you.

F&F type 1's are around $550 shipped on ebay and that's a really good deal on a full coilover.
If that' too much I'm sure you can shop around and piece together a shock/ spring combo for cheap.

[tommi]

You get what u pay for.

[Helms]

Still nothing really positive about them, eh? I guess there really is a reason as to why they're so cheap. I guess I'll have to wait until I can actually afford a good set up and do it right the first time.

Perhaps I'll go with jhoff_cb7's set up and purchase used springs.

Thank you all for the knowledge, this forum seems very caring for the safety of their members and the safety of others on the road.

[H311RA151N]

I'd love to lower my suspension, not to the point of being "slammed" but at least fairly lower so it doesn't look wrong having a front and rear lip on the car. CB's also look amazing lowered, very underrated. I've read very mixed reviews on an eBay suspension set up and if anyone has any knowledge or experience, I'd like to know more. Also, if you've had experience could you post exactly what brand(s) you bought each part from? Thank you.

I've searched and found this thread on an affordable set up, and as good as the price is, it's hard to find that money being in college. http://www.cb7tuner.com/vbb/showthread.php?t=177121

His math is way off in that thread.

Each strut is $80 x4 struts is $320.
The springs are $200. That equals $520 that’s before the bushings and I’m pretty sure that before shipping.

And the Koni STRTs aren’t that great. They get you lower safely but that’s about it.

I bought quality suspension parts off of eBay. I think I spent just over $600 for Koni Yellows revalved for a drop and H&R race springs.

He is clearly not looking to spend that much.

You can buy a Ferrari on Ebay but that doesn’t make it an Ebay Ferrari.

You should know what he is referring to.

[deevergote]

The math isn't really off... just outdated. STR.T shocks used to be about $60 each. Prices go up.

Keep in mind, STR.Ts aren't intended for an extremely low or stiff drop either. You're going to need to go with Koni Yellows for that.

[H311RA151N]

The math isn't really off... just outdated. STR.T shocks used to be about $60 each. Prices go up.

Keep in mind, STR.Ts aren't intended for an extremely low or stiff drop either. You're going to need to go with Koni Yellows for that.

Oh really? That sucks for me then. I paid the current price of course.

I like the STRTs dont get me wrong, I got a taste of some improved handling with them and now I want more. And more is to be had with the Yellows like said above.

[deevergote]

I think Koni released them at a very cheap price when they first came out. They hit the market and BOOM, everyone was into them.
I've read that they're very much like the Yellows on the full-soft setting.