Lowering springs on stock shocks? 1 inch?

[Kaotic Lazagna]

Originally Posted by BennyLava

Not gonna harm the shocks or the ride any? I was trying to make sure I avoid messing up the shocks/struts.

Originally Posted by BennyLava

All this does is change the height, right? Do I need to get an alignment afterwards? Have toe/camber adjusted? Again trying to do only the 1 inch.

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).

[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.

[Kaotic Lazagna]

Originally Posted by ern-diz

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.

I'm riding on S.Tech with OEM dampers with Dory. Doesn't handle as well as the same springs on TRD dampers (what I had on the sedan). I'm experiencing more understeer, and this is with better tires too.

That's why I also mentioned about having higher miles since buying springs and then having to buy dampers may end up costing close to those Tein Basis Z coilovers, especially if labor is being paid twice to remove the suspension. If it's on the lower mileage side, like me with Dory, I'd just throw on springs, granted I already had the springs laying around. lol.

With that said, with a little under 40k miles since putting the springs on, I believe my rear dampers are going out on Dory. Once they do blow, I'll get a set of Tein Flex Z and give the S.Tech's away.

[ern-diz]

Originally Posted by Kaotic Lazagna

I'm riding on S.Tech with OEM dampers with Dory. Doesn't handle as well as the same springs on TRD dampers (what I had on the sedan). I'm experiencing more understeer, and this is with better tires too.

That's why I also mentioned about having higher miles since buying springs and then having to buy dampers may end up costing close to those Tein Basis Z coilovers, especially if labor is being paid twice to remove the suspension. If it's on the lower mileage side, like me with Dory, I'd just throw on springs, granted I already had the springs laying around. lol.

With that said, with a little under 40k miles since putting the springs on, I believe my rear dampers are going out on Dory. Once they do blow, I'll get a set of Tein Flex Z and give the S.Tech's away.

Since I don't track my car, I've been thinking about replacing my OEM shocks/struts with Bilstein shocks/struts when they eventually blow. I've been hearing that a good set of springs and shocks/struts can outperform the value level coil overs. Not sure how much truth there is to that, but I've heard it from several sources now.

[Kaotic Lazagna]

Originally Posted by ern-diz

Since I don't track my car, I've been thinking about replacing my OEM shocks/struts with Bilstein shocks/struts when they eventually blow. I've been hearing that a good set of springs and shocks/struts can outperform the value level coil overs. Not sure how much truth there is to that, but I've heard it from several sources now.

Very much true, but it is best to see if those dampers are valved for the S.Tech drop and spring rate. They might be overly firm for them. Haha. Rebound might be too firm. I don't track my cars either, but drive on some really sh itty roads.

[ern-diz]

Originally Posted by Kaotic Lazagna

Very much true, but it is best to see if those dampers are valved for the S.Tech drop and spring rate. They might be overly firm for them. Haha. Rebound might be too firm. I don't track my cars either, but drive on some really sh itty roads.

Good to know, thank you.

[BennyLava]

Originally Posted by Kaotic Lazagna

The rear are not unless you use shims.

Would this be needed? Should I use shims? The last thing I want is improper tire wear on my new tires.

[Kaotic Lazagna]

Originally Posted by BennyLava

Would this be needed? Should I use shims? The last thing I want is improper tire wear on my new tires.

Don't think so. Even with the S.Tech springs (lowers about 2 inches), my rear were still within OEM spec tolerance.