Starting spring install tomorrow
Thread Starter
Lead Lap
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 705
Likes: 3
From: CA
Starting spring install tomorrow
So after 2 weeks of waiting, my H&R springs finally came in. I'm going to start this install tomorrow and split it up between tomorrow and Saturday (very very busy schedule). I'm planning on putting the front ones on tomorrow and then the rears Saturday morning. Is there any negative effect if I do some light driving for a few hours (not all at once) with just the fronts changed? Any tips before I start this? I have access to every tool I will/ever need. Thanks!!
edit: I am also planning on cutting the holes into the air box while I'm at it.
edit: I am also planning on cutting the holes into the air box while I'm at it.
Nothing wrong with doing one end of car first, might look funny but nothing that would hurt the car. After lowering it drive it a few weeks before aligning it that way you give the springs and suspension some time to settle, also don't forget to read the sticky about bushing preload.
Thread Starter
Lead Lap
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 705
Likes: 3
From: CA
So I went ahead as planned yesterday and attempted to install the fronts. After much trouble, I finally got the struts out. Compressed the springs and put the new ones on. But hold on! There is absolutely NO way to get the bottom of the strut to sit in the LCA straight. The spring seats dont even match up and I can't figure it out 
Then I decided to look at the stock and H&R springs side by side. When I match up the top ends of the spring, the ends don't even come CLOSE to ending in the same area. Looks like H&R springs were about 1.5 ahead of where the bottom seat is.
Am I doing something wrong? I'll try to draw some pictures to describe. I should've taken pics lol
EDIT: I think I figured out what I was doing wrong... this pic is from the DIY
http://images26.fotki.com/v888/photo...SC03137-vi.jpg
I didn't separate the top from the rubber boot. I'm gonna take a wild guess that I have to do that in order to turn things to line up... How do I separate those two pieces? It looked like one whole piece when I saw it yesterday...
Then I decided to look at the stock and H&R springs side by side. When I match up the top ends of the spring, the ends don't even come CLOSE to ending in the same area. Looks like H&R springs were about 1.5 ahead of where the bottom seat is.
Am I doing something wrong? I'll try to draw some pictures to describe. I should've taken pics lol
EDIT: I think I figured out what I was doing wrong... this pic is from the DIY
http://images26.fotki.com/v888/photo...SC03137-vi.jpg
I didn't separate the top from the rubber boot. I'm gonna take a wild guess that I have to do that in order to turn things to line up... How do I separate those two pieces? It looked like one whole piece when I saw it yesterday...
Last edited by Toxicxk23; May 19, 2012 at 01:10 PM.
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Thread Starter
Lead Lap
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 705
Likes: 3
From: CA
Ugh! I wish I would've known. Would've spared my a few hours. But hey, since I did it it once, this time should be a breeze. I removed the upper arm from the spindle because it was easier that way. Having access to any type of tool is a huge help 
One of my concerns are the jack points. I put the stands on the sub frame but half of the stands arm sits under the skirt which scares me because I don't want to crack it or anything. Does anyone have a picture of where they put them?
One of my concerns are the jack points. I put the stands on the sub frame but half of the stands arm sits under the skirt which scares me because I don't want to crack it or anything. Does anyone have a picture of where they put them?
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I don't have a picture but I just put them right under the frame rail.
The more times you do it the easier it gets, I was able to do the whole car plus rear sway bar in 3 hours. I removed the control arm from the car instead of splitting the arm and upright.
The more times you do it the easier it gets, I was able to do the whole car plus rear sway bar in 3 hours. I removed the control arm from the car instead of splitting the arm and upright.
Thread Starter
Lead Lap
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 705
Likes: 3
From: CA
I didn't align the top rubber isolator to the spring, no need to imo and I kept the boot to protect the shock shaft
I made sure the spring was aligned with the bottom cup in the strut but the top doesn't matter, the weight of the car on the spring will make a new mark in the top rubber isolator
Thread Starter
Lead Lap
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 705
Likes: 3
From: CA
Finally got around to putting the front springs on. Did it myself and took me a little over 2 hours. No pictures yet but will take some soon. I have about a 1 finger gap in front now. I actually really like how the whole car looks with just the front springs lol 1 finger in front and about 2 in back. Gets rid of the "lexus lean" and makes it look aggressive 
Anyways, rear springs will go on sometime this week/weekend.
Ride quality has definitely gotten better from what I can tell. Turns feel tight with almost no body roll and it seems like its absorbing little bumps very nicely. Can't wait for the rears!!!
edit: Heres a pic. It's kinda on a slope but it doesn't look too different than when on a flat surface
Anyways, rear springs will go on sometime this week/weekend. Ride quality has definitely gotten better from what I can tell. Turns feel tight with almost no body roll and it seems like its absorbing little bumps very nicely. Can't wait for the rears!!!
edit: Heres a pic. It's kinda on a slope but it doesn't look too different than when on a flat surface
Last edited by Toxicxk23; Jun 3, 2012 at 09:15 PM.
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