I asked about this in my thread. echo_hrs, do you know if the dealer also replaces the struts and the bushings when they lower it?
My yaris is at the dealer today getting the lowering springs put in. They do not replace any bushings or the struts. The springs are designed to work with the stock struts which are valved for a 'sporting' ride.
Hmm. How much do the springs lower your car? Either the struts are designed for a lower ride or they're not. I don't really understand how there can be a gray area. Struts designed for a sporting ride is fine, but the simple physics necessitate a design for a specific ride height. Anything lower will cause excessive wear on it and not provide the best ride quality since it will effectively be riding partly compressed the entire time.
Is there something I'm missing? The only compromise I can figure is that they just don't lower the car that much (maybe only an inch?) and hope for the best.
Nineone...there are a couple of factors at play here.
Firstly, usually struts are specifically designed with a lower ride height in mind only if the stock height is already quite limited. In those cases, the lower spring perch must be put at a different location on the strut body to minimize bottoming out. In the case of the Yaris, the stock ride height allows for lots of travel, so lowering only an inch and a half doesn't really affect the strut.
Secondly, if a strut is designed with a more comfort minded demographic (e.g. corolla owners, cadillac owners, etc.) the compression and rebound damping rate will be slower from the factory (i.e. it has larger ports in the discs within the struts/shocks allowing for less dampening). In the case of the Yaris, the rate is already reasonable high and thus can handle a higher spring rate.
Plus, the lowering of only about 1.5 inches doesn't change the geometry of the suspension that much and thus will not cause 'excessive' wear on the struts in the physical sense of being at a different ride height. It is likely that they will not last as long as on the stock springs, but will still last as long as the warranty (keep in mind that this is only 3 years/60,000 kms which is not that long in the lifetime of dampeners).
Just so you know, this is not my first modified car...I've done a few...I'm getting into my 30s here.
FYI, the ride on these springs is nice. Comfy with regular driving and far better roll control and turn in with hard driving. The lift-off throttle oversteer is a bit reduces which is a plus, but will still rotate if you need it to. I wouldn't say that the dampeners are the best matched for these springs, but they are adequate enough. The ride should be much improved with my 17's on...!
Thanks for the information. I hope you didn't misconstrue what I was saying as criticism, I really wasn't sure how it was meant to work; that all does make sense though.
For my Yaris (if I decide to get one) I'd like to lower it probably 2 inches, but nothing is decided yet. I've seen stock struts blown because of lowering springs somtimes very quickly, other times they last years, so I'm always hesitant. When I got my 2nd Jetta it was lowered 1.5in on stock struts (well, OEM replacements), and while the ride wasn't horrible there was a marked improvement when I replaced the struts.
Could you post a picture of yours or PM me with a link to a pic of it lowered? And with the 17s once you get them on? Curious to see how it looks.
Hey NineOne -- I definitely did not take it as criticism at all, don't worry! You don't have a Yaris yet? You should get one...like tomorrow.
At 2 inches of lowering, you are much more limited for travel...so to keep off the bumpstops, the spring rates will have to be much higher, thus more dampening (or more travel by way of a specially designed strut with a relocated perch as we were discussing above) is required.
So, all that to say, that in your case, you will want to invest in a more agressively damped strut/shock combo for your springs. Your best bet is to talk directly with the tech department of a few different dampener companies to determine if their Yaris-specific dampener will work adequately with the spring that you want to use (make sure that you know the spring rate prior to talking to them).
Hope this helps,
Cheers
I will be posting up a pic soon in the Show & Share section.
Yes, much to my chagrine I don't have one just yet. I'm in the process of buying a business and it should all be completed by the 21st, then I'll see where I'm at. There's a JDM mk2 MR2-T calling my name, so we'll see.
As for lowering it, I'm not sure if you saw my other thread, but ideally I'd like to find a cup kit of matched springs and struts with new bushings. I'm not sure if there's much aftermarket for the Yaris yet (or if there ever will be, for that matter) so I was hoping to find more information here.
Pesonally, I think the Yaris Hatch is already too low and wouldn't want want to drop it any farther. However, I do want to put in low profile tires and want a suspension system that can capitalize on the more sporty tires. Is it possible to get struts and shocks that are more sporting then the stock setup, or would TRD or Pro-Kit springs be the best route, in which case I'd just have to put up with the lower ground clearance ??
If you plan on putting larger rims and lower profile tires you will definetly want to lower your car. Even though the outer diameter is slightly larger than stock the lower profile tire makes the gap in the wheel well look much larger.
__________________
07 Blue Yaris 5dr
05 Blk Echo 5dr
Generally, aftermarket companies will wait about 3-4 years for the demand to start to build. Many new car owners do not have money to spend on their cars until they are paid off. Be patient and there will be a market...
Pars,
TRD springs are simply the Eibach ProKit springs. A mild drop. Possibly 1.25" each end. Not much at all in my opinion!
I am curious as to why you think that the Yaris hatch is already too low...??? I live out in the country and drive about 5 kms on rutted, gravel roads every day and an additional 35 kms on paved road with my lowered Yaris. Speedbumps are not a problem at all and potholes and pavement cracks are handled very smoothly.
I agree with Blueberry that a stock ride height Yaris with low profile tires and bigger rims would look like it has an accentuated wheel gap. It will look like it is on its' 'tippy toes'...
I'm worried about the ground clearance for two reasons. Firstly, In the heavy snow, I want to avoid floating on it as much as possible and Toronto has some wicked pot-holes from the snow plows. However, I shouldn't have to worry too much about crashing the bottom edge of the chassis, since the Yaris doesn't have much of an over hang (something I used to do frequently with the old 98 Civic Hatch after the shocks started to go soft on me).
A couple days ago, I bottomed out the Yaris after coming off a curb (I used to blast over the same curb with my 98 Civic without any drama, but my old Civic had Pro-Kit springs). So, perhaps the TRD/Pro-Kit springs is the way to go. But, I'll wait a few years in order to get some value out of the stock setup, which shouldn't be too difficult since the Yaris Hatch is surprisingly sporty in the stock form.
Today, I finally got to go driftying since the roads were wet and the car just pasted it's 1800km brake-in quota. So, I decided to take advantage of the wet roads and push the car a little (or a lot for those who are not used to the redline). The dynamic of the car was spot-on while drifing on all 4 wheels through the on/off ramps. It was a pleasant surprise. I didn't expect the car to be that good. So, I can live with the stock setup for awhile, until it starts for feel a little lose, then I'll get the TRD springs with adequate set of shocks (Probably Tockico). Is ther any other types of shocks/struts that I should consider?
Im in the same boat as im fighting off the urge to lower and slap on some low profiles but my other vehicle is for that.
As for the suspension, its definetly tighter when you have aftermarket suspension. I used to back out of driveways with my VWs that had eibach's and the rear wheel would lift off the ground.
Im going to try and stay stock as long as possible.
Has anyone tried the aftermarket springs from ebay. drop is approx 1.7". Last i checked there were 2 different types on there and were $127 US
__________________
07 Blue Yaris 5dr
05 Blk Echo 5dr
Generally, aftermarket companies will wait about 3-4 years for the demand to start to build. Many new car owners do not have money to spend on their cars until they are paid off. Be patient and there will be a market...
I take that to mean the suspension components haven't been carried over from the Echo?
The AutoGuide.com network consists of the largest network of enthusiast-owned enthusiast-operated automotive communities.
AutoGuide.com provides the latest car reviews, auto show coverage, new car prices, and automotive news. The AutoGuide network operates more than 100 automotive forums where our users consult peers for shopping information and advice, and share opinions as a community.
ToyotaNation.com is an independent Toyota/Lexus enthusiast website. ToyotaNation.com is not sponsored by or in any way affiliated with Toyota Motor Sales, USA, Inc. The Toyota, Lexus and Scion names and logos are trademarks owned by Toyota Motor Sales, USA, Inc.
Discussion area for all the Toyota Yaris and Echo owners worldwide.
??
Linear Mode
