AWD Lowering Issues
01-01-14, 09:57 AM
#1
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AWD Lowering Issues
I've been going back and fourth for months about whether or not to lower my car. I want wheels, but think they will look bad at stock height... Especially AWD height. This vibration issue people have with lowering AWDs is the only thing keeping me from pulling the trigger. Is there any fix for this? Is there a way to lower it a little bit without issue or what? Many ppl say its getting intolerable, but if u google search is250 awd lowered, theres a million results. All these ppl cant have this issue and just deal with it. These cars are too clean and perfect looking to be dealing with a ****ty vibration problem.
01-01-14, 10:25 AM
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I read somewhere that a member on CL was making some axle spacers of some sort to help with the vibrations. Not sure if he's still around... Vibration is bad but you'll get use to it. The general height AWD IS stays at is 24.5-25 inches fender to ground. Good luck
01-06-14, 07:29 AM
#4
I tried the axle spacers and currently still have them installed. Vibration is still there. Not sure if it actually decreased the amount of vibration, but...its still there. Could be the placebo effect lol. At the end of the day, I got over the vibration. At first it bothered the heck out of me but stock height IS AWD has slight vibrations as well. You'll get over it unless you want trade the car in for something else. Stock height AWD looks unapealling in my opinion so for now, I am putting up with the vibration.
01-08-14, 03:44 PM
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im trying to find a solution with a driveshaft shop.... heres the thread https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sus...ml#post8314203
01-10-14, 01:09 PM
#7
There's 2 kinds of "vibration" that people seem to be experiencing.
#1 is the vibration some get while at a complete stop. It's very mild, but it is noticeable to the driver.
#2 is the "wobble" some get during acceleration, kind of like if you have a bad balljoint on one side.
I've experienced both. The vibration at a complete stop is so minor that I barely notice it anymore, and to me its worth it compared to the high ride height of the AWD. The wobble does worry me, but I'm hoping that I can correct it with a proper camber kit install and alignment to get everything back to spec (in terms of toe, camber, and caster, at least).
EDIT: I'm on BC coils and 19s with 235/35 fronts and 275/30 rears. Lowered all around to about 25.25" fender to floor.
#1 is the vibration some get while at a complete stop. It's very mild, but it is noticeable to the driver.
#2 is the "wobble" some get during acceleration, kind of like if you have a bad balljoint on one side.
I've experienced both. The vibration at a complete stop is so minor that I barely notice it anymore, and to me its worth it compared to the high ride height of the AWD. The wobble does worry me, but I'm hoping that I can correct it with a proper camber kit install and alignment to get everything back to spec (in terms of toe, camber, and caster, at least).
EDIT: I'm on BC coils and 19s with 235/35 fronts and 275/30 rears. Lowered all around to about 25.25" fender to floor.
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01-17-14, 02:36 PM
#8
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There's 2 kinds of "vibration" that people seem to be experiencing.
#1 is the vibration some get while at a complete stop. It's very mild, but it is noticeable to the driver.
#2 is the "wobble" some get during acceleration, kind of like if you have a bad balljoint on one side.
I've experienced both. The vibration at a complete stop is so minor that I barely notice it anymore, and to me its worth it compared to the high ride height of the AWD. The wobble does worry me, but I'm hoping that I can correct it with a proper camber kit install and alignment to get everything back to spec (in terms of toe, camber, and caster, at least).
EDIT: I'm on BC coils and 19s with 235/35 fronts and 275/30 rears. Lowered all around to about 25.25" fender to floor.
#1 is the vibration some get while at a complete stop. It's very mild, but it is noticeable to the driver.
#2 is the "wobble" some get during acceleration, kind of like if you have a bad balljoint on one side.
I've experienced both. The vibration at a complete stop is so minor that I barely notice it anymore, and to me its worth it compared to the high ride height of the AWD. The wobble does worry me, but I'm hoping that I can correct it with a proper camber kit install and alignment to get everything back to spec (in terms of toe, camber, and caster, at least).
EDIT: I'm on BC coils and 19s with 235/35 fronts and 275/30 rears. Lowered all around to about 25.25" fender to floor.
02-07-14, 11:41 AM
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We have a AWD lowered on Megan springs for over a year with no vibration. Only thing we have run into is the place we had align it didnt do a good job and we wore down the passenger side tires worse than the rest.
02-13-14, 05:57 AM
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Just lowered mine on BCs a couple weeks ago and have both the types of vibrations described by sm1ke above.
I wouldn't want to warn you away from doing this because I agree that the look may be worth it.
However ... Be forewarned, there is no camber adjustment and if you want to get everything right, budget more for front and rear camber adjustment parts and labour - and ideally, get this done when your coils go in and before your alignment.
On a related note (and I'm about to create a thread for this) if anyone has experience DIY with removing the front upper ball joints and/or installing the SPC ball joints, I'd really appreciate info/advice on the process.
I wouldn't want to warn you away from doing this because I agree that the look may be worth it.
However ... Be forewarned, there is no camber adjustment and if you want to get everything right, budget more for front and rear camber adjustment parts and labour - and ideally, get this done when your coils go in and before your alignment.
On a related note (and I'm about to create a thread for this) if anyone has experience DIY with removing the front upper ball joints and/or installing the SPC ball joints, I'd really appreciate info/advice on the process.