Lowering springs on stock shocks? 1 inch?

[ern-diz]

Originally Posted by Kaotic Lazagna

Any lowering spring will alter the ride quality as they're stiffer springs compared to the OEM springs. Also, any lowering springs will reduce the lifespan of the dampers (shocks). So if your car already has some higher mileage to them, you'll have to pull out the suspension twice (once for installing the springs, and another to replace the dampers when they blow).

Any adjustment to the ride height will require an alignment afterwards. Only the front of the Yaris is adjustable. The rear are not unless you use shims.

If all you're looking for is an inch drop and you have higher miles on the car (means most likely the dampers are nearing the end of their life), I would suggest getting some basic coilovers like the Tein Basis Z. They're basic coilovers in that they don't have dampening adjustment, but at least the dampers are valved/paired correctly for the spring rate. And you can dial in just how much lowering you want (within the range it provides, which is a little under an inch min to a little under 2 inches max).

While technically completely true, there are examples in this thread, myself included, of folks that have lowered up to 2" with stock struts/shocks and gotten mileage out of it. I just had my car in at Toyota for regular maintenance. I thought for sure they were going to tell me mine were leaking but they are doing well and I've been lowered for a few years now.

Additionally, I prefer the ride quality after lowering with Tein S. Tech springs than when running stock springs. The Tein's offer a progressive spring rate so it's very nice around town and then sits down under heaving turning. I agree that the Tein Basic's are a good option, but if someone is looking at the budget and has functioning factory shocks/struts, I wouldn't be that concerned about lowering with springs and keeping the OEM shocks/struts for a while.

Just my 2 cents.