[counihan]

On Sunday I'll be installing the TRD springs on the Camry with a couple extra sets of hands. I originally was going to have it done at a shop, but after hearing some of the ridiculous quotes, I said forget it. For anyone that has changed out the springs themselves...any tips or anything I should know about?

I plan on letting the springs settle and get an alignment done a day or two after. I'll also be certain to take some pictures. By the way, the install will be with 19x8.5 wheels with a 38mm offset (225/40/19). For those of you that payed to have it done, I hope it wasn't anything near the $500-600 a few places wanted to charge me!

 

[JSM1284]

Borrow a spring compressor from the local auto parts store.

 

[counihan]

That's done.

 

[centennialman]

You already have the spring compresors so that's a start. I helped out a buddy lower his car with Eibachs and a couple of things stick out from that experience.

1. Don't rush it. Take your time and it helps to have a few extra hands around.
2. Have a set of jackstands. Otherwise you'll have to do one wheel at a time. Very time consuming.
3. Be sure to carefully retighten all nuts and bolts. My buddy didn't tighten the bolt holding the sway bar to the front drivers strut and his front suspension was making all kinds of weird noises whenever he drives over bumps. Thankfuly he didnt do any permanent damage but that particular bolt needs to be tightened CAREFULLY. If you have noise from the front suspension after you lower your car, that's most likely the case.
4. Impact wrench. Hand tools won't do much good trust me.

 

[centennialman]

By the way my buddy's car was a 2008 XLE. I still remember taking out that back seat and trying to reinstall it right a few times. Arggh...

 

[Mr. Miyagi]

its gonna take more than two days for the springs to settle. if you want to get an alignment wait a little longer.

 

[MCeatalot]

I'm about to do mine pretty soon with the H&R Springs I got from Peach. I know it's been covered before, but just to clarify once more, installing lowering springs OTHER THAN the TRD will NOT void warranty, correct?

 

[PRINCESS PEACH]

im waiting a month for my springs to settle.

And Mceatalot! drop it quick!!!

 

[white07cam]

I'm about to do mine pretty soon with the H&R Springs I got from Peach. I know it's been covered before, but just to clarify once more, installing lowering springs OTHER THAN the TRD will NOT void warranty, correct?

your suspension wont be under warranty anymore, but it wont void the warranty on the whole car

 

[counihan]

I live in Pittsburgh (AKA pothole city). They'll settle quicker than that! :lol:

 

[FlopShot]

If you don't have air tools, you'll need a breaker bar or other large torque wrench. I spent $100 on a torque wrench to do this job, but I still saved $140 from having my mechanic do it (he charges $60/strut).

 

[lammydi]

im waiting a month for my springs to settle.

And Mceatalot! drop it quick!!!

Peach,
You should get your alignment done as soon as you installed the springs.
Spring settling in doesn't change the alignment. (TRDVVTi has covered this topic numerous of times in the past)
This is what I did.
1. I had the shop installed Eibach springs then alignment right afterward.
2. I drove a round for a week, I came back for a free 2nd alignment. The specs shown there is nothing change on my alignment.
3. After 2 months of driving, I came back for a free 3rd alignment. Again, the spces shown nothing change on my alignment after the springs settled in.

The suspension shop (and TRDVVTi) told me so but I had to go through it to make sure they are right.

 

[lammydi]

I'm about to do mine pretty soon with the H&R Springs I got from Peach. I know it's been covered before, but just to clarify once more, installing lowering springs OTHER THAN the TRD will NOT void warranty, correct?

To keep your warranty you have to use TRD springs + Toyota certified shops or dealership to installed your springs.

 

[steveyhustle]

lammi stop talkin like u know it all hahaha jus messin wit ya man i like people like u u kno how to give full answers to easy questions with your own experience k ill stop kissin ass bye

 

[lammydi]

lammi stop talkin like u know it all hahaha jus messin wit ya man i like people like u u kno how to give full answers to easy questions with your own experience k ill stop kissin ass bye

ha..ha..How about give all the guys at the meet a kiss for me? :naughty:

 

[INDOMI]

If you don't have air tools, you'll need a breaker bar or other large torque wrench. I spent $100 on a torque wrench to do this job, but I still saved $140 from having my mechanic do it (he charges $60/strut).

Wow thats pretty expensive just to swap springs, here in Oz we get charged around AU$140 for all 4 corners which is about US$110-120

 

[soulrobber]

dont forget a little allen wrench set. u may need it to tighten the sway bars back

 

[counihan]

Thanks guys for all the advice. The install went good today, and the drop looks great. I definitely notice a difference in the ride quality...much more firmer and I can feel the bumps a good bit more! Well worth it though! I'll be posting pictures later today...maybe it will be clean, maybe not. :thumbup:

 

[geoff5093]

dont forget a little allen wrench set. u may need it to tighten the sway bars back

Speaking of that, don't use too much pressure when trying to remove the sway bar links. When we installed them on my car we used too much pressure and completely stripped the bolt on one side, then I had to pay $75 for a new one and have it installed.

 

[sex_&_TRD87]

how would the dealer know if u didnt get ur springs installed at toyota? especially if its not from ur dealer?

im confused, so what should we do after we install the springs? wait a day? two days? a week? or just get our alignment done right away?