Just got done lowering the car yesterday. The TRD springs give it a nice level drop. Handling is great, especially with the upgraded wheels and tires and TRD anti sway bar. The car basically goes as fast through the corners as you want it to.
The stability is much better and not much difference in ride quality from stock. Still smooth enough definitely firmer, but not objectionably. I definitely am happy with the results.
The VSC has a higher threshold than before, where it seems to come in a lot less and only when really needed. For this reason I doubt if I will get it recalibrated. Alignment seems good also, so I'll give it a couple of weeks before deciding if I need to get it realigned.
The job took 4 1/4 hrs, start to finish. I used an impact driver for the spring compressors which definitely made the job much easier.
Tomorrow, when I put all of the tools away, I will post a tool list for others that are contemplating lowering their Corolla's. I know I wish I would have had a tool list before I started. I did gather everything before I started, and had everything I needed, which was great, but it would have been nice to have a list of tools, sockets, etc already.
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JDM yellow fog bulbs, Cool Blue Headlight bulbs, Modified Intake, TRD air filter, billet shifter knob, modified light sensor, Carbon Fiber Dash, 30% Window tint, tinted reverse lights, signals, de-badged, MSW type 12 wheels, Eagle GT 225/40-18 tires, additional brake lights, TRD sway bar, Lowered
+1 on the alignment. remember, your wheel hub was basically hanging free while you were changing the spring. i thought my alignment felt fine too, but when i took it in to have it done the fronts were off the chart. let it settle for a day or two then you should bring it in.
An alignment is not optional, in my opinion. Even if you correctly marked the struts with where the camber was set previously, it still needs to be done to make sure.
Most people forget to mark where the camber was before removing the springs, if you didn't forget, good work, however the camber will still be set to where it was for the old springs. That's if you managed to get it perfectly where it was previously, which you probably didn't get it exact. Chances are you are also slightly toed in as well now.
For the sake of tire life and handling, get an alignment.
An alignment is not optional, in my opinion. Even if you correctly marked the struts with where the camber was set previously, it still needs to be done to make sure.
Most people forget to mark where the camber was before removing the springs, if you didn't forget, good work, however the camber will still be set to where it was for the old springs. That's if you managed to get it perfectly where it was previously, which you probably didn't get it exact. Chances are you are also slightly toed in as well now.
For the sake of tire life and handling, get an alignment.
Jeff
I'm going to probably get it checked in the next few days, but I set the camber by pushing the struts all the way in for a "more performance setting" as per the TRD instructions. So I'll be discussing that with the alignment people when I get it done. I would agree with the slighly toed in since the lower A arms are now flat vs slightly bent down. Since the toe in setting is adjusted in the rear of the arms, that would make sense that it would come in a tiny bit.
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JDM yellow fog bulbs, Cool Blue Headlight bulbs, Modified Intake, TRD air filter, billet shifter knob, modified light sensor, Carbon Fiber Dash, 30% Window tint, tinted reverse lights, signals, de-badged, MSW type 12 wheels, Eagle GT 225/40-18 tires, additional brake lights, TRD sway bar, Lowered
Would you mind posting a picture or two taken directly from the side? I can't tell how level the TRD springs make the car look from the original pictures. It actually looks like the rear is higher than the front.
Also, did the drop match what TRD says it would drop?
Would you mind posting a picture or two taken directly from the side? I can't tell how level the TRD springs make the car look from the original pictures. It actually looks like the rear is higher than the front.
Also, did the drop match what TRD says it would drop?
Thanks.
Lowered exactly how TRD said it would. Car is dead level. I'll take additional pics when I get a chance.
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JDM yellow fog bulbs, Cool Blue Headlight bulbs, Modified Intake, TRD air filter, billet shifter knob, modified light sensor, Carbon Fiber Dash, 30% Window tint, tinted reverse lights, signals, de-badged, MSW type 12 wheels, Eagle GT 225/40-18 tires, additional brake lights, TRD sway bar, Lowered
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