Notices
GS - 4th Gen (2013-2020) Discussion about the 2013 and up GS models

Swift springs installed

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old May 4, 2019 | 05:32 PM
  #1  
robroyalty's Avatar
robroyalty
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
 
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 39
Likes: 5
From: ca
Default Swift springs installed

I took my tanabe springs off and switched them to swift springs. After installing the swift springs I noticed a big difference from the rear driver side to the rear passenger side. The passenger side sits almost a finger higher. Do lowering springs have to settle or is this how it’s gonna be. I’m totally not happy with how it looks it almost looks like stock smh. Here are some pics. Please help... my car is a 2013 gs 350 RWD.

Rear passenger side

Rear driver side
Reply
Old May 4, 2019 | 05:57 PM
  #2  
np20412's Avatar
np20412
Lexus Test Driver
20 Year Member
Community Builder
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 7,663
Likes: 1,424
From: Florida
Default

They do need time to settle over a few weeks but even then the initial drop should be even on both sides. You either have something else wrong in the suspension or they didn't do a proper install by preloading the suspension before tightening everything down (most likely reason for uneven drop).
Reply
Old May 4, 2019 | 06:44 PM
  #3  
robroyalty's Avatar
robroyalty
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
 
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 39
Likes: 5
From: ca
Default

Originally Posted by np20412
They do need time to settle over a few weeks but even then the initial drop should be even on both sides. You either have something else wrong in the suspension or they didn't do a proper install by preloading the suspension before tightening everything down (most likely reason for uneven drop).
I did it myself. Maybe I did something wrong but I had tanabe springs on before this so it was already lowered and the tanabe looked good
Reply
Old May 4, 2019 | 06:45 PM
  #4  
bclexus's Avatar
bclexus
Lexus Champion
Community Influencer
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 13,614
Likes: 2,921
From: Texas
Default

That looks like the wheel gap on a Ford F-150 4x4! I'm guessing you tightened everything up without the weight of the car loading the suspension.
Reply
Old May 4, 2019 | 07:47 PM
  #5  
np20412's Avatar
np20412
Lexus Test Driver
20 Year Member
Community Builder
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 7,663
Likes: 1,424
From: Florida
Default

Originally Posted by robroyalty
I did it myself. Maybe I did something wrong but I had tanabe springs on before this so it was already lowered and the tanabe looked good
I'd redo it and make sure you don't torque anything until you've got the natural weight of the vehicle on the suspension
Reply
Old May 5, 2019 | 04:18 AM
  #6  
SNiiP3R's Avatar
SNiiP3R
Lead Lap
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Liked
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 4,094
Likes: 36
From: Fuhgeddaboudit
Default

Lift the car up and inspect both sides. Make sure that both springs are sitting properly. Also, check if one side was installed upside down. This may or may not cause an uneven drop.

Last edited by SNiiP3R; May 5, 2019 at 04:32 AM.
Reply
Old May 5, 2019 | 06:00 AM
  #7  
Mike552's Avatar
Mike552
Advanced
 
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 540
Likes: 32
From: Ma
Default

Lexus factory springs used to come color coded (not sure if they still do that) to identify left from right, and their lengths were slightly different to accommodate the uneven road surface (most roads are built with a slight gradient to allow for water runoff, etc.)

See here: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drainage_gradient

If these replacement springs were “built properly,” then the uneven height would make sense, even though it does not give you the “look” you want.

Form follows function, and all that...
Reply
Old May 5, 2019 | 10:59 AM
  #8  
Meraki Autoworks's Avatar
Meraki Autoworks
Your #1 Lexus Vendor
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (8)
 
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 19,389
Likes: 815
From: CA - USA
Default

Might be an install error. Never had this issue before.

-Josh
__________________

Your One Stop Aftermarket Shop!
PPE / Apexi / GTHAUS / Borla / Swift / RSR / Tom's Racing / Lexon / LEMS / Rowen + More!

Orange County, CA
Email: info@merakiautoworks.com
Text/Call: 213 394 2886
Website: www.MerakiAutoworks.com
Reply
ClubLexus Stories

Celebrating Lexus & Toyota from Around the Globe

story-0

2026 Lexus IS 350 F Sport Review: The Last of Its Kind Still Rocks

 Michael S. Palmer
story-1

Top 10 Most Confusing Things Lexus Has Ever Done!

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

2026 Lexus ES Review: Lexus Re-Embraces Founding Principles

 Michael S. Palmer
story-3

10 Lexus Bargains That are Cheaper Than a New Toyota RAV4

 Joe Kucinski
story-4

8 Weirdest Things Lexus Has Ever Built

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

10 Lexus Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

8 Tips for Improving Your Hybrid or Plug-in Hybrid's Efficiency!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

10 Best Lexus Models No One Remembers

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

TRD Off-Road Premium: Best 2026 4Runner, Except This One Thing

 Michael S. Palmer
story-9

Top 10 Lexus & Toyotas to Drive Before You Die!

 Joe Kucinski
Old May 5, 2019 | 11:06 AM
  #9  
bclexus's Avatar
bclexus
Lexus Champion
Community Influencer
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 13,614
Likes: 2,921
From: Texas
Default

With some cars the spring can be rotated where it doesn't seat properly in the lower spring perch. This naturally raises the body on that side by the distance the spring lacks from being properly seated in the perch.
Reply
Old May 5, 2019 | 01:12 PM
  #10  
robroyalty's Avatar
robroyalty
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
 
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 39
Likes: 5
From: ca
Default

Originally Posted by bclexus
With some cars the spring can be rotated where it doesn't seat properly in the lower spring perch. This naturally raises the body on that side by the distance the spring lacks from being properly seated in the perch.
I rotated them yesterday and still nothing changed. I’m about to take them out and switch side to see if it does it to the other side.
Reply
Old May 5, 2019 | 02:17 PM
  #11  
peasodos's Avatar
peasodos
Lexus Test Driver
5 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Top Answer: 1
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 5,522
Likes: 2,264
From: USA
Default

Originally Posted by robroyalty
I took my tanabe springs off and switched them to swift springs. After installing the swift springs I noticed a big difference from the rear driver side to the rear passenger side. The passenger side sits almost a finger higher. Do lowering springs have to settle or is this how it’s gonna be. I’m totally not happy with how it looks it almost looks like stock smh. Here are some pics. Please help... my car is a 2013 gs 350 RWD. Rear driver side
Looks like you raised the car. Has to be improper install, unless you got the wrong springs.
Reply
Old May 6, 2019 | 10:09 AM
  #12  
Hypebeast's Avatar
Hypebeast
Pole Position
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 291
Likes: 23
From: Philly
Default

What was the reason for the switch?
Reply
Old May 6, 2019 | 11:48 AM
  #13  
robroyalty's Avatar
robroyalty
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
 
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 39
Likes: 5
From: ca
Default

Originally Posted by Hypebeast
What was the reason for the switch?
I didn’t like how the tanabe lowered my car. I’m on 20s and originally just wanted to close the gap from the stock look but after the tanabe springs broke in the car looked like a lowered car something I didn’t want just close the gap. So I did research and heard the swift springs would be the best bet. It’s actually starting to lower from where it was just needed to drive the car a bit. Also swift springs feel a lot more comfortable also. I’m not saying tanabe is a bad spring just not what I wanted.
Reply
Old May 7, 2019 | 09:25 PM
  #14  
SharpGent's Avatar
SharpGent
Pit Crew
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 186
Likes: 124
From: Texas
Default

I had the same issue. I dropped on Tanabe (and for those reading comments about them not being good, or bouncy, or ruining shocks, ya'll are crazy and are just looking for bologna to complain about), and my rear right was a half inch higher. After about 100 miles, I knew it wasn't about settling. So I got it on ramps and loosened that big *** bolt at the hinge point of the rear control arm and let it sit for a few minutes before tightening up again. Even Steven now.
Reply
Old May 7, 2019 | 09:38 PM
  #15  
robroyalty's Avatar
robroyalty
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
 
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 39
Likes: 5
From: ca
Default

Originally Posted by SharpGent
I had the same issue. I dropped on Tanabe (and for those reading comments about them not being good, or bouncy, or ruining shocks, ya'll are crazy and are just looking for bologna to complain about), and my rear right was a half inch higher. After about 100 miles, I knew it wasn't about settling. So I got it on ramps and loosened that big *** bolt at the hinge point of the rear control arm and let it sit for a few minutes before tightening up again. Even Steven now.
Thanks bro so far it has went down a little I’m driving from the Bay Area to Oklahoma tomorrow so I’m sure that should really get them settled in but it’s definitely looking a lot better. Before I leave I’m gonna try what you did and put it on a ramp.
Reply



All times are GMT -7. The time now is 05:57 PM.

story-0
2026 Lexus IS 350 F Sport Review: The Last of Its Kind Still Rocks

Slideshow: the 2026 IS 350 isn't all that new, and that's why we love it!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-04 14:35:23


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Most Confusing Things Lexus Has Ever Done!

Slideshow: 10 most confusing things Lexus has ever done.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-04 09:40:55


VIEW MORE
story-2
2026 Lexus ES Review: Lexus Re-Embraces Founding Principles

Slideshow: Our First-Drive Review of the 2026 Lexus ES!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-29 20:30:16


VIEW MORE
story-3
10 Lexus Bargains That are Cheaper Than a New Toyota RAV4

Slideshow: 10 Lexus bargain that are cheaper than a new Toyota.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-20 10:28:20


VIEW MORE
story-4
8 Weirdest Things Lexus Has Ever Built

Slideshow: From hoverboards to luxury yachts, these are the strangest projects Lexus has ever attached its badge to.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-16 11:34:36


VIEW MORE
story-5
10 Lexus Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine

Slideshow: Some luxury cars chase trends, but these Lexus models look better now than they did when they first rolled into showrooms.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-06 17:58:29


VIEW MORE
story-6
8 Tips for Improving Your Hybrid or Plug-in Hybrid's Efficiency!

Slideshow: How to Get the Best Fuel Economy with a Hybrid and Plug-In Hybrid!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-05 20:54:44


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Best Lexus Models No One Remembers

Slideshow: 10 best Lexus models no one remembers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 17:33:28


VIEW MORE
story-8
TRD Off-Road Premium: Best 2026 4Runner, Except This One Thing

Slideshow: diving into 4Runner TRD Off-Road Premium's pricing, performance, fuel economy, features, and amenities!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-23 13:09:18


VIEW MORE
story-9
Top 10 Lexus & Toyotas to Drive Before You Die!

Slideshow: the 10 Lexus and Toyota vehicles you need to drive before you die.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-23 10:34:24


VIEW MORE