TRD Springs w/ SE Struts

[LunarMistGray]

so i need get alignment done after the TRD spring installation?

I'm not a mechanic, but i would think an alignment would have to be done due to the lowering. When I had mine done, they performed the wheel alignment, plus gave me a computer print-out of the before and after settings.

They had to replace two ball-bearings when they did mine.

[LunarMistGray]

i, too, am interested in this case. The only case of the "bouncing effect" from which ive heard is from mikei. Is there anyone else with the SLE struts and TRD springs who can share with us their experience?

After a year of having mine lowered, I have no regrets. I would suggest a couple of things before you decide to have it done. If the you have poor roads/streets in you area(ie pot holes, bumps, rough surfaces, etc), then I would suggest you think very seriously before you have it done. It would probably be best to get performance stuts in this case. The other thing is to have it done by an authorized TRD dealer. If anything goes wrong, at least you have a way to get it corrected without paying addtional.

If you don't have the Rear Sway Bar, start with that first.


I hope this helps.

[kgzero1]

You are not supposed to get a wheel alignment until after about a week of a lot a driving. The springs take time to set themselves in the proper spot. You are most likely going to have to get an alignment again.

[PXLpainter]

The cost was as follows according to my ticket:
$427.04 for installing 2 ball bearings(90903-63002) and the TRD coil springs.
$135.00 for performing a 4 wheel alignment.

Does this include the parts or is that just labor costs? Do I need the ball bearings as you did for the TRD springs? I understand about the alignment - especially if it's guaranteed by the dealer.

Thanks! JF

[Gorcman]

hmmm..... i got a quick question LunarMistGray. do you take it easy over speed bumps and potholes cuz ur afraid of scraping the car or cuz the car has the bounce effect when you go over rough roads fast? Like.... when you say the ride quality goes down a little..... do you mean because of the stiffness? Cuz i can live with stiffness or scraping (as performance springs are supposed to do that). But i dont think i could live with it if it bounces or does stuff that performance springs arent supposed to do.

[LunarMistGray]

You are not supposed to get a wheel alignment until after about a week of a lot a driving. The springs take time to set themselves in the proper spot. You are most likely going to have to get an alignment again.

Well, it took them 2 days to do my car and he did tell me to take it easy while driving the the first day or so because the car still has to settle. Anyway, i did not experience any alignment problems.

Are you a mechanic?

[LunarMistGray]

The cost was as follows according to my ticket:
$427.04 for installing 2 ball bearings(90903-63002) and the TRD coil springs.
$135.00 for performing a 4 wheel alignment.

Does this include the parts or is that just labor costs? Do I need the ball bearings as you did for the TRD springs? I understand about the alignment - especially if it's guaranteed by the dealer.

Thanks! JF

Well, brace yourself, I paid to be exact $1142.21. This is with labor and everything.

Now, remember yours will probably be different. I paid $427.04 for the ball bearings; $533 for the rear sway bar and springs; and $135 for the alignment.

[LunarMistGray]

hmmm..... i got a quick question LunarMistGray. do you take it easy over speed bumps and potholes cuz ur afraid of scraping the car or cuz the car has the bounce effect when you go over rough roads fast? Like.... when you say the ride quality goes down a little..... do you mean because of the stiffness? Cuz i can live with stiffness or scraping (as performance springs are supposed to do that). But i dont think i could live with it if it bounces or does stuff that performance springs arent supposed to do.

I have never had the bounce effect(ie like bad shocks) at all. At first I worried more about the wheels hitting something in the well. But as I drove the car more, that worry disappeared. Even when I did drive over speed bumps at a good speed, the suspension seemed to stiffen up. For me I just slow down a little bit when I drive over huge bumps or a big crevice in the road.

The reason I said the ride quality suffers a little is because you lose the luxury feeling a little and the suspension is not as stiff as I would like it. Before I had this car, I had a sports car; so i'm used to stiff ersuspension. The SLE does not have a sports suspension, so people who drive it as such will be disappointed and neither will getting springs or the RSB make the suspension comparable to a sports tuned suspension.

For people that have had bad experiences with TRD springs and the SLE, I think it is because one, they did not have it done at an authorized dealer, and two they drive the car like the car is not lowered, and they must think they have a sports-tuned suspension.

I live in DC where the roads are not smooth at all; it's getting better, but they still have a long ways to go. And for the 2 years I 've had my car lowered, I have never had the bouncing effect or hit or scrape something on the underside out the car; plus i'm a fast driver.

The only question that has not been fully answered in my opinion is does the SLE struts support driving a lowered SLE without undo wear and tear. TRD and the dealer told me that the springs work with the SLE. But does it work long-term; time will tell.

[kgzero1]

Well, it took them 2 days to do my car and he did tell me to take it easy while driving the the first day or so because the car still has to settle. Anyway, i did not experience any alignment problems.

Are you a mechanic?

Nope, but I have some friends that are (including one who works for Toyota and another who ownes a shop) or have worked on their cars enough to know this. They told me to wait for the alingmnt when I lowered my xA, cuz it might cause problems or I would just have to get another one not long after.

[PXLpainter]

The cost was as follows according to my ticket:
$427.04 for installing 2 ball bearings(90903-63002) and the TRD coil springs.
$135.00 for performing a 4 wheel alignment.

Does this include the parts or is that just labor costs? Do I need the ball bearings as you did for the TRD springs? I understand about the alignment - especially if it's guaranteed by the dealer.

Thanks! JF

Well, brace yourself, I paid to be exact $1142.21. This is with labor and everything.

Now, remember yours will probably be different. I paid $427.04 for the ball bearings; $533 for the rear sway bar and springs; and $135 for the alignment.

Well bro - thanks for the info and the description of the ride quality - that helps alot for us SLE owners - but you still didn't directly answer my question...

What's with the "ball bearings"? This is the first I've heard of them mentioned with the lowering springs. And were the springs included in that price?

Guess I need to just call my dealership for a quote when I get back in town next week.

[LunarMistGray]

The cost was as follows according to my ticket:
$427.04 for installing 2 ball bearings(90903-63002) and the TRD coil springs.
$135.00 for performing a 4 wheel alignment.

Does this include the parts or is that just labor costs? Do I need the ball bearings as you did for the TRD springs? I understand about the alignment - especially if it's guaranteed by the dealer.

Thanks! JF

Well, brace yourself, I paid to be exact $1142.21. This is with labor and everything.

Now, remember yours will probably be different. I paid $427.04 for the ball bearings; $533 for the rear sway bar and springs; and $135 for the alignment.

Well bro - thanks for the info and the description of the ride quality - that helps alot for us SLE owners - but you still didn't directly answer my question...

What's with the "ball bearings"? This is the first I've heard of them mentioned with the lowering springs. And were the springs included in that price?

Guess I need to just call my dealership for a quote when I get back in town next week.

I forgot what the tech told me about the ball bearings, he said i need the two replaced so i trusted him. It was for the front wheels. The $533 included the installation of Rear Sway Bar and the Springs on the rear suspension. Also, the $427.04 was for the installation of the springs for the front suspension.
The total cost i mentiioned before was only for the labor, it did not include the price of buying the springs and the Rear Sway Bar.

As far as the ride quality; it rides for me just like I first bought it, but it's a lot stiffer and what I expected. The Rear Sway Bar is what increases the stiffness of the suspension, that's why I said try
this first.

[PXLpainter]

Awesome - thanks for the info!

I do intend on buying the TRD RSB and springs before going to the dealer for installation (save a few $ where I can!) - but I agree, especially with a car that's only a month old now, that the dealer installation is the way to go on the TRD suspension parts. And I would like the ride quality to be a little stiffer than the SLE stock but not ride like a buckboard either!

Thanks again for the info!

Jeff