so im gonna put my new springs and struts on today but im stuck. ive lowered cars before but my lexus it has that sport comfort option so when i take the strut/spring assembly off the car i cant get that top hat off that the top three studs go through. looks like the wires go through where the nut goes on top of the strut..it probably sounds confusing but if anyone knows what im talking about please help. thanks

 

Try this, step by step process

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/es3...l-worklog.html

 

you're going to have to find a wrench and find a way to hold the strut in place so you can take that bolt off. its a PITA since you can't use an impact gun to take it off but after a couple of tries, you should be able to. good luck.

 

'sport comfort' - wasn't that super rare or something?

Anyways did it actually 'lower' the car like the old Mazdas with the same option?

 

not sure if its rare or not i just figured all es300 had it..the suspension defiantly gets stiffer and softer as i switch from the 4 settings but the shocks defiantly need to be replaced..i don't even know if i can you this feature after i put my new shocks and springs back on? anyone know..and i cant get just a wrench it to that bolt because the top part is to high not flush

 

he said nothing about this? im guessing he didnt have the sport comfort option on his es...anyone else know? i might have to call the dealer and ask dispatch. sometimes they can help out.

 

so i just figured out i have AVS on my car..and heard its rare..does anyone know how i get that wire off to get a socket down to get the bolt off..im thinking that i might just cut the wire since im not gonna be able to use the AVS feature anyway. maybe just cut it enough so i can solder them back together if need be..any feedback on this idea??

 

did you read my previous post? if that doesn't work, then try this. before loosening the 3 strut bolts on top, use a wrench to loosen the bolt with the avs wire on it. do not take the bolt off. just loosen it. you don't want the spring to pop out. this way you have a way to hold the strut in place and still get that bolt/wire off. you can take the bolt off after removing the strut from the car and compressing the spring.

 

got it..fronts are done..but im kinda disappointed because it doesnt look like it lowered at all.. =/ unless i did something wrong but appears to be right....

 

They have to settle. Give it a week or so...

 

even if they have to settle you really think they are gonna drop an inch? tanabe claimed 1.8 inchs in the front and i can still fit a little over 3 fingers in the gap and before it was about 4 fingers and 1 of my fingers isnt even an inch maybe half lol...i was hoping it would be a lot closer to the tires =/ but i do have to say the ride super nice..the kyb and tanabe spring combo rides awesome..if the front doesnt settle more im afraid to put the rear springs in because its gonna sit a lot lower in the rear..=/ ill post some before and after pictures here in a minute..i figured the 1.8 front and 1 rear would make look closer together..

 

fronts will settle in after a while. I had that combo for 2 years and the fronts should be a little less than a 2 finger gap.

 

That would be perfect. As of now it sits at a three finger gap and if u say urs sat at little less than a 2 finger gap that's about an inch to settle..I kinda find it hard to believe it will settle that much but ill cross my fingers and give it a week or two and see what happens..I called tanabe they did say it would settle but an inch is a lot. In a few weeks if it doesn't go down I might pull them back off and see if I effed up anywhere on the install....maybe I have to strut mounts on the wrong way which results in them sitting different or maybe the bump stop isn't cut enough...