09 'rolla @ 72,000km - Blown Front Struts + Defective Lock Actuator. - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

imEric! · 06-29-2011, 04:19 PM

Don't know if it's bad luck, but I had the following issues after I passed the 60,000km warranty mark...

1). Defective driver lock actuator (@ 71,000km).
2). Blown front struts (@ 72,000km).
3). Cracked accessory belt (@ 69,000km).

The price to repair the lock actuator was close to $300CDN but the dealer was able to claim it as a warranty repair. As for the blown struts, the dealer was unable to claim it under warranty and it was likely due to my lowering springs. After giving it some thoughts, I decided to order a pair of OE struts and put back my stock springs. The total cost for this job was $785CDN ($360 for the struts, $300 labor, $111 for alignment). Lastly the belt cost me $200...

My car's back to stock now but the wheel gap is huge...However, I feel like I am driving a new car now and still love my ride!

Note: Never just put lowering springs without changing out the OE struts...I couldn't afford a coilover setup three years ago and it ended up costing more money for the repairs...

ZenithTheTV · 06-29-2011, 05:33 PM

Just curious Eric, what kinda springs did you have your car lowered on?

Just replaced the driver side lock actuator on our 97 Camry. I lucked out and found a working unit from a scrap yard and did the work myself.

creslayer · 06-29-2011, 05:35 PM

get the coilovers boys, but how long do coilovers last for? ahehe

kenforum · 06-29-2011, 05:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by imEric!

Don't know if it's bad luck, but I had the following issues after I passed the 60,000km warranty mark...

1). Defective driver lock actuator (@ 71,000km).
2). Blown front struts (@ 72,000km).
3). Cracked accessory belt (@ 69,000km).

The price to repair the lock actuator was close to $300CDN but the dealer was able to claim it as a warranty repair. As for the blown struts, the dealer was unable to claim it under warranty and it was likely due to my lowering springs. After giving it some thoughts, I decided to order a pair of OE struts and put back my stock springs. The total cost for this job was $785CDN ($360 for the struts, $300 labor, $111 for alignment). Lastly the belt cost me $200...

My car's back to stock now but the wheel gap is huge...However, I feel like I am driving a new car now and still love my ride!

Note: Never just put lowering springs without changing out the OE struts...I couldn't afford a coilover setup three years ago and it ended up costing more money for the repairs...

If I were you, I would have gone buy coilover instead of installing OEM struts. Because I'm totally sure you will regret going back to stock as you won't be able to stand that HUGE wheel gap again after you've been lowered before. Plus, you can still use your lowering springs (you will lose money anyway when you sell your springs) with coilover to achieve however low you want to get.

As you said, the struts are $360, so this could have gone into part of the cost of the coilover

thestone11 · 06-29-2011, 06:17 PM

I would spend on coilovers if I were you. $660 (strut + labour) is more than 50% of a set of coilovers already. Not to mention, you can do the coilovers installation yourself, they are bolt on. Then you just have to bring it for alignment.

Dragon-88 · 06-29-2011, 07:26 PM

Whats the average price for coilovers on our car?

thestone11 · 06-29-2011, 08:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dragon-88

Whats the average price for coilovers on our car?

Starting from $1000, depends on brand

***PhatRoyale*** · 06-29-2011, 09:37 PM

You should have posted prior to getting the work done to ask for suggestions on shops, there a lot of members that can give better recommendations than those ripoff prices you paid at the dealership.

Lastly, coilovers do not last longer if you have crappy roads in your area. It's a common misconception many have.

ekimnal · 06-29-2011, 09:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZenithTheTV

Just curious Eric, what kinda springs did you have your car lowered on?

he was on Eibachs....
im also on Eibachs....
i also live in the same area as imEric....

.....

i'd better prepare myself...

imEric! · 06-29-2011, 10:16 PM

I had the Eibach lowering springs; the reason why I got the jobs done @ the dealer is because I had few friends that worked there. Although the price was not the best, it did save me time for on the repairs.

I took out the stock springs when the car had ~2,500km and so they are definitely not sunk in yet; the gap is huge but I just don't want to spend another few hundreds on repair.

***silver04rollas*** · 06-29-2011, 11:28 PM

Wow! That is surprising to have so many defects at an early stage. I have been on lowered springs (2 inches) for about 5 years and never had any issues so I am not sure if the lowering springs caused it.

I drive my XRS quite hard and tracked it many times, but try and go very gently over bumpy pavements, potholes and slow down as much as I can.

***PhatRoyale*** · 06-30-2011, 07:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by silver04rollas

Wow! That is surprising to have so many defects at an early stage. I have been on lowered springs (2 inches) for about 5 years and never had any issues so I am not sure if the lowering springs caused it.

I drive my XRS quite hard and tracked it many times, but try and go very gently over bumpy pavements, potholes and slow down as much as I can.

They're not defects, struts and ac belts are considered normal wear and tear items.

It also depends on how many kilometers you have driven after you've gotten your car lowered. It's a known fact that installing lowering springs shortens the life of the struts because they are run in a semi-compressed state.

You gotta pay to play.

LeanBurn · 06-30-2011, 10:34 AM

As well the lower you go, the shorter the lifespan...

imEric! · 06-30-2011, 05:53 PM

Lowered:

Stock:

ekimnal · 06-30-2011, 11:05 PM

nooooooooooo