Hi all.

I've installed a Curt Hitch on my 38000 mile Fit for a Thule T2 bike rack, which works awesome. The thing is, the 80-90 lbs. hanging off the back has lowered the rear fenders about 3/4 inch towards the tires. I can live with it, but I'd rather not (40# hitch, 45# rack, and then add 1 or 2 20-30# bikes at times)

I have a buddy that autocrosses WRXs, and he suggested the little coil spacers from Advance Auto, which I went and bought, but haven't yet installed. Not crazy about that since it will stiffen the rear somewhat, at least I think it will, but not sure how much.

I did a web search for leveling, and I found a cool product for some 4x4s which is a spacer which fits in above the spring against the body(?- or whatever it sits against). Is this something that could be used on a Fit?

Otherwise, what ideas might you have?

I would consider a replacement spring IF it's just longer and not stiffer.

Thanks in advance for all your great thoughts.

-matt

 

try that air shock mod.. https://www.fitfreak.net/forums/fit-...light=cavalier

 

The above-mentioned DIY will solve your problem easily and relatively inexpensively. Trust me- I wrote the DIY.

 

dave has his shit together!!

 

You forgot your usual "no homo", Matt.

 

hahahah yeah you got that right. gotta cover all the bases

 

Thanks for the replies! That looked easy enough that I've already ordered the MA811's today- should be here tomorrow. So given that I've read the thread you linked me to, here are a few more questions:

1. When I remove the mount parts from the old shocks to use on the new one, is that an easy task? Does it destroy the possibility of re-installing the old ones at some point- i.e. do I have to damage them to get the stuff off? (I don't have either set here to look at yet)

2. Where do you run the air lines to conveniently? Thinking least chance to get them damaged, easily accessable, avoiding drilling anything...

3. If the travel is longer on the MaxAir's than the stockers, are the coil springs gonna fall out of there when I get airborne someday by accident? (RR crossing for example, unexpectedly, too fast, etc)

I'm envisioning the car on a lift, wheels a hangin, unbolt the old ones, install the new ones, all without hassling with a spring compressor, right?

Thanks a lot in advance.

-matt

EDIT: I read only the first post, not your new one it turns out. I'll go back and do that and then ask again if needed. Thanks.

 

Matt,

I suggest that you read the DIY instructions again. Removing the necessary parts from the stock shocks for installation on the Monroe air shocks is easy if you are careful, and if you have the right tools for the job. Those are explained in OP.

I saved my original stock shocks for possible re-use, and reassembling them with the original parts should not cause any problems, although the metal bushings will be loosely fitted after being re-used three times. BUT, the compression and rebound damping of the Monroes is so much better, and by comparison the stock shocks are so weak, I have decided that I will never re-use the stock shocks. May possibly replace the Monroes, when worn, with higher performance after-market shocks, but I would never put the stock Fit shocks back on the car.

Use your own best judgment on where to run your air lines. You are going to be laying under the car for some time and you should be able to figure out the safest placement for the air lines. Attach them to solid body surfaces (not the axle) and don't let them hang loosely or they will be snapped off by road debris (tree branches, etc.).

The Monroe shock travel is not necessarily longer than the stock shocks, and even at maximum pressure and highest lift, your springs will not "fall out".

Even if you were replacing your springs, you would not need a spring compressor for the rears.

 

i would just add some donut spacers above the top rear spring mounts
and call it a day.

 

Really? Fascinating.