Thinking about doing the heater hose mod
05-26-2012, 07:20 PM
#1
Thinking about doing the heater hose mod Okay, so I've been thinking about doing the heater hose mod. Is there any long term cons that go with it? Like having to replace the hose with every oil change from being destroyed every so often?
Thank in advance
Charlie
PS... If I'm just going to go with some strano springs, should I not even waste my time?
Thank in advance
Charlie
PS... If I'm just going to go with some strano springs, should I not even waste my time?
Last edited by FU_I_AM_UltraZ; 05-30-2012 at 04:40 PM.
05-26-2012, 10:51 PM
#3
No downsides. I've had it for YEARS on my A4 Formula daily driver with no ill effects. I thought maybe at first that I'd pull them and inspect them every so often but I haven't bothered. There's no noise or anything else that would cause me to suspect there's a problem. I've done it on 3 other Firebirds without any issues.
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05-29-2012, 07:15 AM
#13
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You guys are over thinking this mod like its something extremely difficult. There is a rubber donut above the rear spring, remove it, slide a small piece of hose over the spring where it comes in contact with the body and reinstall. The hose is just creating a rubber barrier between the spring and body. Before I put on lowering springs I removed the rubber donut and didn't even put the heater hose on and ran it around for two months with no issues,rattles, or weird noises. Once I got my lowering springs I put the rubber donut back on because it was sitting too low.
05-29-2012, 08:22 PM
#16
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Yep that's right just need a piece big enough to cover the coil that touches the metal, a 8-10 inch piece is plenty long. This job can be done in less than 15 minutes. Jack the car up by the pigtail, put jack stands under the frame, let the jack down and let the rearend hang, pull the springs out( usually just grab them by hand and pull them out), pull the rubber donut off the top of the spring and slide a piece of hose over the last coil on top of the spring, pop the springs back in, jack the pigtail up slowly and make sure the springs are lined up and seated in position, pull the jack stands out, let down the jack, DONE!
05-29-2012, 08:37 PM
#17
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My only complaint with the heater hose mod is, YES it lowers the back a little bit but then it looks like its sagging and the front sits to high( at least on my trans am it did) so then your left with wanting to lower the front to make it even and before you know you just end up ordering lowering springs anyways. It's kind of like chopping your stock exuast off and installing a cherry bomb from autozone. My personal opinion is just save your money and order a good set of lowering springs and do it right the first time.
05-29-2012, 09:05 PM
#18
did it today . wraped the spring until the hose wouldn't go anymore , then cut off the extra hose about 3". lowered it about a 1/4". car doesn't seem to wallow around as bad as before. but i also have broke sway on the pass. side on the front and missing the left rear end link for the sway bar. so take it for what is is. yes both problems will be fixed very shortly. and i have the stock decarbs on my bucket of bolts...
05-29-2012, 10:12 PM
#20
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Yep that's right just need a piece big enough to cover the coil that touches the metal, a 8-10 inch piece is plenty long. This job can be done in less than 15 minutes. Jack the car up by the pigtail, put jack stands under the frame, let the jack down and let the rearend hang, pull the springs out( usually just grab them by hand and pull them out), pull the rubber donut off the top of the spring and slide a piece of hose over the last coil on top of the spring, pop the springs back in, jack the pigtail up slowly and make sure the springs are lined up and seated in position, pull the jack stands out, let down the jack, DONE!