HD rear springs? (non lowering)

[Beaterolla]

Sometimes I like to take my 1998 on long trips with the car fully loaded but it seems the back of the car needs stiffer springs.
I don't want anything that's going to make it look like a 4x4, just something that can handle more weight. The struts are about 3 years old but the springs are original. I suspect the springs are worn out.
I thought about replacing them with OEM springs but I don't want put them in only to find they are the same.
The guy at the parts store kept trying to sell me lowering springs which are not what I want.
Has anyone come accross a heavy duty replacement spring?

[fishexpo101]

Unless you can custom buy heavier spring rates in a stock height, there is not a whole lot of choices out there.

I'm running TRD springs - which do lower the car a little bit ~ 1" drop - but the spring rate is much higher, so the effective load capacity is increased slightly. Used to ride close to or bump off teh bumpstops with two fully loaded coolers in the trunk, but after the TRD springs - even though the static ride height is lower, the car doesn't settle down as far. Worked wonders for the occasional towing that I do as well.

Other options are to run airbags or coilovers. They do make poly spring coil inserts - basically a donut that you screw in between the coils to effectively change the static ride height. Not a big fan of those, as there is always a potential they can fall or slip out, but that is another option.

[Beaterolla]

Thanks, the TRD's with a spacer may be an option.
I was also able to find that moog makes a replacement set at stock height for the rear(Moog MC9647) at around $110.
Supposedly the Moogs are made not to sag but I don't know if that increases actual load carrying capacity.
My car has a hitch too but it hasn't been used in a few years.
It would be nice to use it again.

[all2baka]

Good luck finding TRD's.....


If they're original springs then you probably just need to replace them...

[PhatRoyale]

Are they sagging in the back?

If so, then just get new OEM springs. Anything else will change the ride quality, especially lowering springs.

[wylee]

Your best hope for maintaining ground clearance and increased rate would probably be a custom set of rear springs. Try giving Coil Spring Specialties a call and see if they have the specs for the Corolla. If they have the specs, I'm sure they could make a set with a 20% stiffer rate while keeping the unloaded ride height about stock.