michael200

I finally found a few hours this weekend to install new Sprint springs and new OEM struts on my GS400. Here's what it takes (I'm sure this has been written many times, but here goes):

FRONT:

1. Block the car with front wheels off the ground.
2. Take off wheels.
3. Unbolt sway bar on both sides and let drop.
4. Slightly loosen the top center nut on the shocks (one turn).
5. Remove the wheel sensor wire brackets (tab on strut, one per side).
6. Remove the lower strut bolt. Loosen the bolt, not the nut. Trust me, this is much easier than loosening the nut, since the nut has locking teeth that bite into the lower arm.
7. Remove the three nuts on the top mounts.
8. The struts will come out easily without taking anything else off. Turn the wheels full right to remove the right strut, full left to remove the left one.
9. The springs are easy to take off using a standard Craftsman spring compressor. The new Sprint springs went on fairly easily, but since the coils are closer together, it was difficult to get the spring compressor back off, but after disassembling the tool, it came off. I put new bump stops in the strut assemblies. Was not sure if they are needed.
10. Installing is just the reverse.

REAR:

1. Remove rear wheels.
2. Remove inner trunk panel. The plastic clips can be fairly hard to get out without damaging them.
3. Carefully mark the lower control arm adjuster washer positions. Remove the nut and bolt with special washers.
4. Remove the plastic rock guard on the lower control arm.
5. Remove the sway-bar thru-bolt from the lower arm.
6. Loosen the nut on the inner bolt on the lower control arm (one turn).
7. Remove the lower strut bolt and nut. Again, loosen the bolt, not the nut. Much easier than trying to loosen the nut due to locking teeth on the nut. The lower arm will swing down making removal of the strut easy.
8. Remove the three nuts on the top of the strut mount inside the trunk. Remove two other bolts that hold the strut to the body.
9. Installation is just the reverse.

Rear springs were much easier to remove and install on the struts.

The Sprint springs and OEM shock combo seems very nice, ride is obviously stiffer, however I was able to hit the bump stop on the front on a big bump in the road. Near perfect height IMHO, lowered the car 1.5 inches F/R. Need to put some miles on the car to know for sure.

Bigbea

looks good

michael200

Follow-up to SPRINT springs and OEM strut install:

Have put about 300 miles on my GS400 since installing the springs/struts.

The ride height is nearly perfect, with enough clearance to get in and out of driveways and over speed-bumps. The car settled down to almost exactly 2" lower than stock. However, the front shocks hit the rubber bump stops on some bumps in the road. I replaced the original bump stops with new when installing the shocks. Would probably trim the length next time to give more travel up front. The rears seem fine, but there is quite a bit more camber in the rears that I need to adjust out. The OEM shocks don't seem to work very well with the SPRINT springs. The ride is better the faster you go, but at "normal" in-town speeds, the ride is choppy and it seems like the shocks aren't working well with these springs. Will run this combo a little while longer, before trying some other shocks. Recommendations based on actual experience would be appreciated.

LexFather

Looks fantastic, thanks for the write-up.

The stock shocks just cannot adjust to a 2" drop, thats why I waited to install both (with KYBs) together

michael200

Thanks. But the stock shocks are made by KYB? "KYB" is stamped on the shock housings in big letters. Are the "aftermarket KYB's that much different? Do you have Sprint springs and the aftermarket KYB's? If so how does it ride? Also, I really like the lowered height and feel, and just need to get the right shock to go with it. Are the Bilstein shocks the best???

wowitztai

iTrader: (1)

looks good man

RX729

I bet you had a fun time using manual spring compressors, I know I did...

97-SC300

iTrader: (17)

post some pics of the install, that would help most people

michael200

Hi 97 SC300 Thanks for your comment. Sorry, I didn't take pictures of the Sprint spring install. You could check out this thread https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=281748 for a little more info. I ended up not being very happy with the Sprint springs and stock shocks. I bought and installed Tein SS dampers with 14/12 springs. I love the adjustability and the ride was super flat and tight, but pretty darn harsh on rough roads. I ended up changing the Tein springs from 14/12 to 12/10 and have been very happy with that set-up. The ride height has a big range of adjustment which is really nice, and I have them set about 2 inches lower than stock. No problems bottoming out. My advice would be to invest in coil-overs from the start, don't screw around with lowering springs/shocks.

Anthony

iTrader: (4)

I know this is a year old but did you take any pics after they fully settled? i want to see how they look on stock 16's.....I know you ended up selling them but any pics?

Or anyone else have sprint springs?

I might be getting these for someone as a gift.. I dont love them enough to spend 900+ on coilovers lol

Anthony

iTrader: (4)

Bumpage! anyone?

denut-L

iTrader: (11)

I have sprint springs.

GS300ToM

iTrader: (32)

looks good...