Hi gang -

I need help. For those running on FULL L-tuned suspension.....Can you check if your L-tuned REAR Springs sit on the L-tuned Shock's lower mount plate properly? Mines don't (see pics). It starts off ok, but eventually sits beyond the mounting plate groove.

I also hear some sqeeking noises when I go over speed bumps and stuff.

Any info. and advice would be appreciated.

Pete

Pic of Driver-side REAR

 

Passenger side REAR.

 

Don't have my car with me but it looks like they may have been installed incorrectly.

They should sit firmly on the bottom mount.

Maybe switched left and right or upside down?

R

 

I'm 100% sure its sitting right side up.

How can you tell which one is for the left or right? Any markings on the springs or shocks?

Pete

 

Pete I've got to agree here ...it looks like they are installed wrong. I am sure both sides look the same right? You may need to swap them left to right.....

 

Not too sure about the suggestion to swap left and right side. Aren't both springs (left and right) wound the same way? If so, then swapping wouldn't accomplish anything.

Is it possible that the spring needs to be rotated so that the detent in the base (sorry if this is not the correct term, but I don't know the correct nomenclature for the various components) aligns with the "gap" where the spring ends (and the second coil begins)?

Here's a (very) crude drawing of what I'm suggesting:

 

Could very well be installed upside down. . . without other pictures of the spring and base and the top of the spring and upper base, it's hard to tell. And being that that problem is on both sides, it could very well be.

The Lexus factory spring is arranged so that the portion of the spring that is the top should be a more tightly wound (and is almost flat at the very top) that the bottom part of the spring. The bottom of the spring has more space and is not as flat--see the factory PDF. Most factory springs are configured this way.


Again, from looking at your pictures (but again, need more pictures), your springs may very well be upside down.

 

Yah.....I was there during the install.....and the flat side of the rear springs were facing up....up against the upper insulator......just like how the OEM stock springs were facing.

I must admit....the rear springs were a B#$%H to reinstall.

Btw.....now there's a pinging sound....like someone lightly tapping the spring with a hammer....most noticeable when change in surface level, normal to hard braking, or acceleration after a complete stop.

Im gonna have to take them apart and re-install it with the stock (OEM) spring black bumpers...and toss them yellow L-tuned bumpers. Any other tips?

Pete

 

Looking at your pictures, either the mechanic installed the springs upside down or he didn't fully turn the springs in such a way so that the "end" of the spring locks together with the indentation on the plate of the shocks. Am I making sense?

When your springs sit away from the dented part of the shock plate, you will hear clicking or pinging sound when you turn your wheel or when you go up a bump or an incline. This is caused by the springs shifting under different loads and knock against your shock plate. Thus the "tick tick tick" or "ping ping ping" sound - like someone is wounding up a spring the wrong way...

Go get it checked, it's not gonna do any damage to the car, but it sure is annoying.

 

jtanoyo1 -

Thanks for the info.... The tip of the springs are in the proper indentations of the lower mounting plate....but when you continue on.....it sits on the rising groove of the mount plate.....that's the thing that confuses me....

Thanks again.

Pete