TRD Lowering Springs?

I have the TRD springs and sways and nothing rubs at all. I have had 15" , 17" and 18" wheels and nothing rubs.

 

rubbin's racin!

 

Good to know... I think I will pick up the springs and install them at the same time. Another thing: they told me I needed to pick up the TRD end links part # PTR074011 and the Sways come with a hardware kit already! In fact the kit they made me buy was missing the endlinks.... I will give them a call to see whats going on.

 

Did you buy that from ebay. Theres a seller that had that in his listing which I found strange. The sway bar definitely comes with all materials.

 

Nope I got them from the dealership. Amazon also has this in their listing too...

Amazon.com: Genuine TRD Prius Plus Rear Sway Bar for 2010-2012 Toyota Prius-New, OEM: Automotive

Under "Product Features" it is the last bullet point.

"Requires Replacement End Links Service Kit PTR11-47011 for sway bar installation (not included)"

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Left is the kit that the dealer told me to buy, the right is the one that came with the sway bar. Note: the missing end links from the additional kit. Another thing is that the instructions that came with the extra kit says its for a 2008 Scion xB.

 

well at least you can return them since its from the dealership.

 

You can get the rear sway bars two ways - one with the end links and one without. There are different part numbers for each.

 

Mine don't scrape. I haven't had 5 people in my car going over a speed bump...maybe then it would scrape. :-D

 

Are you guys who are lowering your Prius's using uprated shocks, or using stock shocks and replacing springs with the lowered variety?

On previous cars I have lowered them a LOT, 100mm etc so I have always put new shocks in but I get a feeling the Prius. as long as using average lower height lowering springs, TRD and Eibach for example it runs fine.

 

Im using stock shocks. As far as the end links. No matter how many people or how much weight is in the car it wont have any effect on the clearance.

 

Stock shocks, but my drop is about 1.5". Be sure to get your alignment checked after the spring install.

 

I just picked up my PLUS springs and the instructions say "additional items required for installation: PTR07-47100-AA Spring Spacer (4 required) (Port Processing Only)." Do I need this to install it correctly? Also, I'm looking at doing the alignment at the dealership instead of doing it at Firestone (had the lifetime alignment plan for my previous car) and do not necessarily trust their tech/machine to do it. What does Toyota align the specs to? The stock spring alignment or a new one for the PLUS springs? Sorry, I'm not a suspension savvy guy.

 

I think the spacers are for transporting the vehicle from the processing center to the dealer. You won't need them.

The alignment specs are the stock specs.

 

You thinkin the spacers jack up the car so it is not an issue with ground clearance for loading & so forth? I was surprised to see my car had zero scuffs under it from transportation as it is much lower than a stock Prius.

Mike

 

Are they any springs that lower a max of 1 inch? I'm afraid my driveway won't allow over an inch drop. Even an inch would be very close.

 

The TRD springs are basically an inch drop. Just don't go with them AND the Plus Performance body kit or it'll be real low I come into and leave my driveway at nearly a right angle so the car only sets one tire at a time on the street or onto the driveway when coming home. There is at least an inch clearance on my side skirts and front end that way. Without the body kit it would be a piece of cake.

Mike

 

Dark matter is correct, those spacers are for transportation purposes when delivering the vehicle. Confirmed by asking the dealer.

 

Most of the Firestones I have been to use the Hunter DSP600 or Hawkeye racks, which is what Toyota dealers use as well. Of course, the operator is the important part, but granted this is not a difficult car to align. However, a lot of techs do get a bit confused on centering the steering wheel since our dashes are so curvy - so it often comes back off center to the right.

The only concern about having it done at Firestone is the need to do a zero-point calibration after an alignment. The dealers can do it via Techstream, but Firestone will need to use the Hunter code link device. Many techs skip this step since it takes 10 min after the alignment and you need to do disconnect the 12v battery first, so I would be sure to watch them during the process to ensure that it is done.



My car had around 0.40 deg of toe-in on the LR and 0.20 deg of toe-in on the RR immediately after the spring install. Needless to say, combined with a positive 0.2 deg of camber on the LF corner (has always been this way from the factory, no idea why), the car drove like crud. I doubt the springs were responsible for the alignment issue since this is a solid rear axle, as the issue was mostly from normal wear/tear over time.

I used an alignment shim from NAPA ($10) and targeted a 0.19 deg reduction in toe-in for the LR. The LF camber was fixed by adding a 1/2 deg camber bolt from the Toyota dealer. Together, along with a proper front toe adjustment, has made a world of difference in drivability. I plan to do the RR side at some point as well, but the total rear toe-in is well within spec which is what's important per Toyota.

 

with the TRD springs, hows the space gap with say 17' Prius Plus forged wheels or the 17' 18's Five Axis wheels ?

Will there be too much gap in between the wheels ? or will it look just right ?

thanks !!

 

You be the judge. TRDs with 215/45/17 tires.