Eibach valve springs - Eibach doesnt deliver
 

Ive only built a 6 motors so I not to be confused with an expert. However after having paid bigish $ for replacement OEM springs before and reading posts from respected builders like this one (http://forums.pelicanparts.com/911-engine-rebuilding-forum/752691-just-another-3-2-short-stroke.html#post7465974) I thought I'd give Eibach valve springs a try.

There are two versions with different seat pressures and lift tolerances. I ordered 2 sets of the high-lift versions from Summit Racing in mid April. They weren't available at the time from Pelican, EBS or Supertech. Those are of course my preferred sources.

When placing the order on the phone I asked the rep to call Eibach and confirm a delivery time. They stated less than a week. Weeks and weeks passed and as I called both Eibach directly (who referred me back to Summit) and Summit they continued to assure me delivery would be "in the next few days." It sounds foolish of me now, but I continued to let them string me along until August 7.

On August 1 I called in to Summit again to ask about delivery...I have 3 motors now in pieces and need the springs before the Canadian winter decends and I lose the season. They kept me on hold while they called Eibach, and came back on the line to tell me the order would be shipped on Wednesday. On Thursday I called the back to check shipment, and the Summit rep told me "shipment will be in 2 weeks." I insisted he let me listen in while he called Eibach, where they told him they were having problems sourcing the inner springs and they couldn't commit any ship date." My blood was boiling now, how could them only days before promise shipment when in reality they didn't even have the raw materials on hand yet. The Summit rep offered 20% discount for my inconvenience. The Summit rep kept blaming Eibach for lying to them, but I wasn't having any of it...I'm Summit's customer and if they cant manage their vendors that reflects on Summit (where the markup lies) and I don't want to hear excuses.

So a few lessons learned;

1. Buy from Pelican, EBS, Supertech, XTreme and other Hosts, Sponsors and friends wherever possible.
2. Eibach lies
3. Don't depend on Eibach
4. Don't buy from Eibach


I've separately taken this up with Eibach but in the meantime I thought it worth saving other people time and $ waiting for a supplier who not only cant deliver but actively lies.

John

My experience was very similar. I put in a stock order and waited. I got changing stories and in the end, they (Eibach) finally came through.
When the Eibach springs are not available or if I'm building a very high strung engine, I use Aasco springs. Great quality and they always seem to be available.

I've had the same problems with Summit a couple of times. I flat out just won't buy from them anymore.
Things like items listed as in stock on back order forever. When I questioned them it was "a computer lag in the system". Oh right so you had 16 TJ jeep soft top roofs but they all sold in the last 3 minutes huh.
The other good one was them sending me billet LT1 fuel rails instead of billet LS1 fuel rails. The part numbers are way off. They sore black and blue I was at fault and the invoice they sent with the goods showed LT1 rails. Unfortunatly for them I had printed out the first invoice with the LS1 rails stated on it. They then tried to charge me $30 to restock them..
Credit card company was called charges reversed. Anyone need some cheap LT1 rails? Never used lol.

Always get it in writing. Then escalate early and often with the supplier. Summit should have a vendor relations team that could light Eibach up if there is extended delay and firm delivery dates that are missed.

Eibach must have finally "received the wire to make the springs", because I just received a set Monday, from when ordered back in April. It's not the vendor's fault, they get drop shipped from Eibach. Get them while you can.

I bought a set just before the summer. But I got it from FVD in Germany, they might have stocked them.

Hey Fellas,

I work at Eibach and will look into this. Is the kit in question 20444.212?

Ryan