Spings
- Thread starter Slatemeta
- Start date
Hi Chris,
What's the reason why you would rather do coilovers? I'm fighting myself and I'm on the verge of purchasing springs, I thought since it's not a performance car I don't need anything fancy. The fact that you can adjust car height and dampening on some is a plus I must say especially in winter months which brings me to a question. I was going to go with TRD springs just like yours which offer an inch or inch and a half of ride height drop (correct me if I'm wrong). That would be perfect for me for a year round vehicle and still be ok in Winter months (Chicago). I also plan on keeping my stock 16 inch rims I think the same ones that came on yours, le plus/premium.
Do you think that'll be noticeable as far as visually since that's the main reason of me doing this, if there are any ride benefits I'll take it but those gaps are just too large and need to go. Before you purchased your new rims and had it on stock wheels with trd springs, did it look considerably lower? If you have some images that would be awesome, like a side view shot. How about ride quality, have you noticed any difference both loaded and unloaded with folks in the back, stuff in trunk? Are they much stiffer to the point where you're feeling every bump or not drastically.
If the drop is not that significant I may look into other options like tein springs although I don't like the fact that the rear sits too low with these. Thanks in advance man.
What's the reason why you would rather do coilovers? I'm fighting myself and I'm on the verge of purchasing springs, I thought since it's not a performance car I don't need anything fancy. The fact that you can adjust car height and dampening on some is a plus I must say especially in winter months which brings me to a question. I was going to go with TRD springs just like yours which offer an inch or inch and a half of ride height drop (correct me if I'm wrong). That would be perfect for me for a year round vehicle and still be ok in Winter months (Chicago). I also plan on keeping my stock 16 inch rims I think the same ones that came on yours, le plus/premium.
Do you think that'll be noticeable as far as visually since that's the main reason of me doing this, if there are any ride benefits I'll take it but those gaps are just too large and need to go. Before you purchased your new rims and had it on stock wheels with trd springs, did it look considerably lower? If you have some images that would be awesome, like a side view shot. How about ride quality, have you noticed any difference both loaded and unloaded with folks in the back, stuff in trunk? Are they much stiffer to the point where you're feeling every bump or not drastically.
If the drop is not that significant I may look into other options like tein springs although I don't like the fact that the rear sits too low with these. Thanks in advance man.
This is with stock springs. I could fit my hand vertically between tire and fender.
Now I can only fit my hand in horizontally. It's about 2-1/2 inches lower.
I don't have (or can't seem to find) any pictures of it lowered on the stock wheels though.
Basically it makes the reveal around the tire equal.
As for springs vs coilovers, the springs will get you lowered and are Toyota approved. They will definitely get you the looks that your looking for!
We have Koni struts (great brand) that might be a touch too tall. What I mean is that the TRD springs and the Koni struts were probably not engineered to go together. IMO (Please do your due diligence and correct me if I'm wrong)
Coilovers are an engineered unit. Spring rate in tune with dampening. Some of them have adjustable camber settings. This is where you can fine tune everything to your liking.
TRD springs made a HUGE difference in the handling characteristics of the car. But I want more! (OCD)
Not to mention the cool guy status! (Jk)
I'll take some pics with a tape measure to give you an idea. Just keep in mind that I'm on 18's now and not as low as on OEM wheels.
Lowing springs & sleeve are an absolute waste of money.
Lowing springs were just a cheap gimmick for aftermarket companies to capitalize on $$$.
The universal sleeve was garbage. Basically, your car wasn't popular enough to have companies develop real coilovers for it.
Save up your $$$ and get a set of entry level coilovers.
Just make sure your bushing is in decent shape and get a alignment done!
However, I would strongly recommend you pay off your car, first before installing your coilovers. Seriously
@FinalGear @Chris Denton Okay This may sound like a stupid question but is there really that big of a difference between lowering springs and coilovers besides the large price difference? I know that you can adjust the height and such of coilovers, but I personally don't really care about that. I don't want to totally slam my car to the ground, I mostly want to improve handling and lessen the wheel gap a bit. So far I've been looking at the TRD or Eibach lowering springs, I haven't even considered coilovers. Is it worth just saving up for the coilovers? and why or why not?
It's all going to be personal preference and what you can afford or justify paying for.
Springs will get you lower and better handling. But that's it.
Coilovers will get you lowered to wherever you want it and will give you more control on tuning your suspension.
I will probably go with BC coilivers, sometime in the future. Most likely once I've paid it off.
My 'rolla isn't a daily driver, so that plays a role too. If it was, I probably wouldn't even consider the coilovers.
Springs will get you lower and better handling. But that's it.
Coilovers will get you lowered to wherever you want it and will give you more control on tuning your suspension.
I will probably go with BC coilivers, sometime in the future. Most likely once I've paid it off.
My 'rolla isn't a daily driver, so that plays a role too. If it was, I probably wouldn't even consider the coilovers.
You are the man Chris. Thanks buddy I'm definitely going with TRD springs. I think it's a perfect balance between performance and height and very cost effective compared to coilovers. Also, since it's not a drastic drop the shocks should last longer than let's say springs that lower your ride 2 or more inches. I appreciate all the pics bro!
Yeah Eibach makes the springs for TRD. At least that's what I read a while back.
Just remember, the springs are somewhat directional. They can be installed the wrong way and will rub the inside of the strut tower. Been down that road already.
Hopefully you guys know a decent "mechanic" who can read the supplied instructions!
I knew a guy, who knew a guy, who screwed me over! Had to buy a bunch of tools and fix them myself.
Just remember, the springs are somewhat directional. They can be installed the wrong way and will rub the inside of the strut tower. Been down that road already.
Hopefully you guys know a decent "mechanic" who can read the supplied instructions!
I knew a guy, who knew a guy, who screwed me over! Had to buy a bunch of tools and fix them myself.
ah.. tsk, tsk, tsk.. you should of option for a TRD package(s) when got purchase your Corolla. Then Toyota would had to warranty those TRD parts. But, those TRD packages are stupidly overprice. On the flip side those TRD parts do hold a stupid high premium resell value.
I don't want you learn the costly and stupid way.. like me...
Those aftermarket springs... that you are SO ready to get... those manufacturer, they don't tell you that you need to rebuild your entire shock struts to accommodate those springs.
If you choose this route.. you got to do it right!.. set of Koni Yellow, Eibach camber bolts, sway links, etc.. it's cost as much as a coilover set.
If you don't do it right.. your Corolla is going to to look like the those sad lower Honda Civics in your area.. in about 5 months or worst like those Evos & Sti sitting your local CarMax
I don't want you learn the costly and stupid way.. like me...
Those aftermarket springs... that you are SO ready to get... those manufacturer, they don't tell you that you need to rebuild your entire shock struts to accommodate those springs.
If you choose this route.. you got to do it right!.. set of Koni Yellow, Eibach camber bolts, sway links, etc.. it's cost as much as a coilover set.
If you don't do it right.. your Corolla is going to to look like the those sad lower Honda Civics in your area.. in about 5 months or worst like those Evos & Sti sitting your local CarMax
Where do you guys get this information?
I'll assume that you got Tein Basic's and that spell check corrected you.
You've made a step in the right direction!
As for springs, the TRD springs are an option at the dealership and they come with a full warranty IF you purchase them with your car.
This is because they have been engineered to properly work with our cars suspension.
(So are the airbags, but that's another story. Lol)
So no, they will not blow out your struts and shocks.
With that said, I'm sure there are other instances where this has happened. Years ago, people used to cut their springs. That can have serious repercussions!
What you can buy these days (from a reputable source) are all engineered for their application. There's a reason why you can only get 1-3" of drop from a set of springs.
Like you, I can not provide the source of my information. But I've been working on cars for close to 25 years!
I'll assume that you got Tein Basic's and that spell check corrected you.
You've made a step in the right direction!
As for springs, the TRD springs are an option at the dealership and they come with a full warranty IF you purchase them with your car.
This is because they have been engineered to properly work with our cars suspension.
(So are the airbags, but that's another story. Lol)
So no, they will not blow out your struts and shocks.
With that said, I'm sure there are other instances where this has happened. Years ago, people used to cut their springs. That can have serious repercussions!
What you can buy these days (from a reputable source) are all engineered for their application. There's a reason why you can only get 1-3" of drop from a set of springs.
Like you, I can not provide the source of my information. But I've been working on cars for close to 25 years!
@FinalGear, what coilovers do you have on your ride and how do you have it set up? Is the right stiffer? Since you're from Cali you get no snow, I do in Chicago. What's the max height for those winter months? Also, how does it feel with people in the back, any complains of stiff ride? Wonder which coilovers would do best in salt/hard winter conditions without deteriorating after two seasons.
Something funny yesterday.
When I was pulling into the car wash, I could feel how stiff my suspension is. The rear drivers wheel actually left the ground!
I've seen other modded cars do this at the same car wash, but never thought that mine would.
It was awesome!
(Little things excite me, lol)
What this is telling me though, is that the rear strut tower bar is doing its job!
I have the Ultra Racing rear strut tower brace that I think I have a link to in another post. If I can remember where I bought it, I will repost the link here.
http://www.throwdownperformance.com...cing-rear-strut-brace/urre2522/i-2121402.aspx
L8R
When I was pulling into the car wash, I could feel how stiff my suspension is. The rear drivers wheel actually left the ground!
I've seen other modded cars do this at the same car wash, but never thought that mine would.
It was awesome!
(Little things excite me, lol)
What this is telling me though, is that the rear strut tower bar is doing its job!
I have the Ultra Racing rear strut tower brace that I think I have a link to in another post. If I can remember where I bought it, I will repost the link here.
http://www.throwdownperformance.com...cing-rear-strut-brace/urre2522/i-2121402.aspx
L8R
The thought behing lowering springs "blowing out" your struts has some truth...but it is misworded. When you lower the car on factory struts, there travel is lessened , obviously, since they are now slightly compressed. It's more accurate to say the need replacement sooner than they would. Still, this is dependent on the amount of drop. Less than 2" is fine on quality springs. More than 2" and you will want to consider a different route.
I look at it this way, if you drop it less than 2" it's like having a passenger in the back every time you drive. Not a big deal right? They'll probably won't last as long as with stock springs, but considering corollas are bulletproof I wouldn't be surprised it they did and if they go out they're super cheap to replace.
Can anyone answer me this question which is currently keeping me from installing lowering springs on my car. If our cars have torsion beam set up our rear suspension, does it get affected by camber after lowering compared to independent rear suspension which does get affected a whole lot? I remember my cousin lowering his older Maxima and that car had similar suspension as corollas. If I remember right he didn't have to do anything to adjust camber. How about the front if TRD only lowers an inch?
I've seen slammed corollas on this forum, have any of you guys installed any camber kit/bolts and sway links, if yes front and rear or front only. Does one have to worry about it with TRD lowering springs since they aren't as drastic? Will there be any difference in camber? I'm sure it's not 0 from the factory but slightly negative I can tell on the rear tires it's slightly negative maybe -1 or 2 but are TRD going to affect it more considering corollas rear suspension set up?
I've seen slammed corollas on this forum, have any of you guys installed any camber kit/bolts and sway links, if yes front and rear or front only. Does one have to worry about it with TRD lowering springs since they aren't as drastic? Will there be any difference in camber? I'm sure it's not 0 from the factory but slightly negative I can tell on the rear tires it's slightly negative maybe -1 or 2 but are TRD going to affect it more considering corollas rear suspension set up?
and as far as camber kits i have the bolts on each side for the front but the back requires shims which are out of the question( requires taking apart your wheel drum..adding shims...big mess)... there is no kit for our cars in the rear and if there was it would not be worth it because it would cost significantly as much as just a couple bolts like in the front.