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DIY: Spring Install

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Accessories and Modifications' started by andino, Jul 12, 2010.

  1. samsprius1

    samsprius1 HEV Fanatic

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    Ordered here free shipping too!Great service and fast shipping!
    micro image:Toyota Prius
    Got the NF 210s Nice drop and ride!
     
  2. andino

    andino Senior Member

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    I got my htechs from hipowermotorsports for 130ish I think.

    As for alignment, I haven't done mine yet and no tire wear problems. My caster is off though and I'm going to get it done soon. Just been so busy since I installed them so I haven't been able to drop it off haha
     
  3. casualvic

    casualvic Junior Member

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    so whats the smoothest lowest setup????
     
  4. andino

    andino Senior Member

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    Htechs are rated to drop the lowest in front (1.4F/1.5R) and Tanabe DF210s are 1.1F/1.8R. I didn't want the back dropped so much so I went with Htechs since I wanted the front low too. Tanabes look lower though than htechs so I wish I went with the DFs instead. Ride on either set are pretty smooth for springs.
     
  5. casualvic

    casualvic Junior Member

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    Good evaluation on the two thanks
     
  6. atomapapa

    atomapapa New Member

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    For the tool list it says 23mm socket but mine was 22mm for front. I have 2011 model not sure they change
     
  7. andino

    andino Senior Member

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    ^^ Good to know.

    Can anyone else confirm that the front needs a 23mm instead of 22mm? I think you might be right on 23mm now that I think about it. Its the 7/8" equivalent in standard
     
  8. casualvic

    casualvic Junior Member

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    So I went with Eibachs and waiting for delivery, also purchased the tanabe strut bar, will these to improve the "wobbily" feel, especially in the wind?
     
  9. macmaster05

    macmaster05 Senor Member

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    Absolutely.
    Springs - lower center of gravity.
    Strut bar - tightens up steering and makes car more responsive
     
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  10. jestoy7

    jestoy7 New Member

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    Awesome, thread! Thank you so much. Just to confirm, the nut size for the fronts is certainly a 22mm (mine is a 2010).

    Here are some pictures of the front wheel gap. I apologize I didn't do the before measurement on the rear.

    Before front:
    [​IMG]

    After:
    [​IMG]

    Completed. Next weekend the Celica GTS 5 spokes go on with 205/55/16's:
    [​IMG]
     
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  11. samsprius1

    samsprius1 HEV Fanatic

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    Nice drop!Like to see those wheels?


     
  12. peterjmc

    peterjmc Ping pong in Ding Dang...

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    Anyone have the torque specs for the bolts? I think I might want to tackle this install over the weekend. I'm anal when it comes to working on my car and doing things to spec.

    Dealership buddy was quoting me $300 for the install because I'm also feeling too lazy to do this. 300 is ridiculous in my book. I'd pay 200 max for the install.

    I checked the Toyota site from my phone and the manuals were $230ish a pop and it was four volumes. I didn't see a subscription service for access to technical manuals.
     
  13. samsprius1

    samsprius1 HEV Fanatic

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    This DIY thread is a good guide! It's not everything! If you got the $$$
    Have your buddy do it! it's four hours of work! I would rather be at the beach.:D
     
  14. samsprius1

    samsprius1 HEV Fanatic

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    Rear bolts were a Bit@h had to use the air impact! made it EZ. A 2foot breaker bar will work Make sure you have one or the other.
    samz11 055.jpg Before: (Looks like 4wheel drive!)

    samz11 069.jpg After: (Much Improved)Lower is better!

    These are the tanabe NF210s They do everything they say! slight drop Improved handling and ride. This car should come this way!
    Like to do it myself then I know it's done right:D
     
  15. seegarman

    seegarman Junior Member

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    Nice looking drop! I'm having my Eibach springs installed this week. How is the ride with the new springs? The handling should be much improved.

    I bottomed out the car, scraping the Tanabe front under brace with four adults in the car this weekend. When I have the car lowered, I'm afraid carrying four adults may not be possible or we need to lose more weight!
     
  16. Dark_matter_doesn't

    Dark_matter_doesn't Prius Tinkerer

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    I have a box full of pretty red NF210 springs next to me. I'll be putting them in this weekend. I discovered that the springs are marked for front and rear. I'll take pictures of the strut top dismantle.

    Means I have to remove the STB I put on a few months ago. I'll mark the position of the brackets on the strut towers with a Sharpie before removing them.
     
  17. andino

    andino Senior Member

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    ^^ The strut bar can only going in one direction so there's more than likely won't be a need to mark up your towers
     
  18. samsprius1

    samsprius1 HEV Fanatic

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  19. LulzChicken

    LulzChicken Prius Enthusiast

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    Wow, that looks really good! I want to do mine really bad. Did you do it yourself, or have someone do it for you? Is it just the looks? Or does it handle differently? Thanks! Should I be able to take my Prius to any shop and have them do it? Or, better yet - Is anyone around the North Alabama region (or 4 hours away) or so that would want to do a spring install for me? I'd pay you, of course.
     
  20. Dark_matter_doesn't

    Dark_matter_doesn't Prius Tinkerer

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    The bracket holes aren't tight (I think they're actually slots), so they can be mounted a bit differently a second time which will impact how the STB crossbar fits. The crossbar just barely fits under the cowling as it is, once the crossbar is rotated to tighten between the towers.