Is it necessary to get new shocks and coilovers when installing lowering springs?

I'll start backwards;

$150 is a great price for spring installation. It is what I paid for my install but it took me a long time to find a shop. Most shops will try to charge at least $300.

Your springs will lower the car about 1.5" which is a common height for springs but is quite a significant drop.

Now onto your main question: You don't always need new shocks when replacing the springs. Really the only reason people change shocks and springs at the same time is because it saves them time/money since their suspension is completely apart anyways for the spring installation. Personally, I didn't get new shocks when I added my springs because my car only had 20,000 miles at the time, so my shocks were relatively new. If I was at 70,000 miles, when shocks begin to show wear, it may have been a different case.

There's no reason to get worried that your shocks will wear out faster due to a shorter spring distance travelled. The way you drive determines shock wear the most. Hard and fast will always age your shocks faster whether you have lowering springs or not. But if you drive normally, you'll be fine.

It's totally worth it. Next to new rims and tires, it's the greatest suspension modification you can make. It handles like a different car. However, just FYI if it matters to you, 95% of people won't be able to tell you've lowered the car. That's just the way it is with the Prius. It sits high and even after replacing the springs, it's still a bit high.

 

You'll never get a Toyota dealer to install them for $150. Learn about your car & do it yourself. It's not that hard & you can rent a spring compressor for free from most auto parts stores.

 

Seconded, plus there are good instructions to be found on this forum. The rears are very straightforward, and the fronts are somewhat less so but still doable.

Along with a spring compressor, you'll also need a 200 ft-lb torque wrench, as the lower front strut bolts need to be set at approx 160 ft lbs.

 

The springs you have are what I'm looking for. They're about $180 shipped normally. If you do sell them, how much shipped to Zip 11766?

BTW, these are the specs:

Fits: TOYOTA PRIUS 10+ ZVW30L
Ride Height Front/Rear: -1.4/-1.5 inch
Spring Rate Front/Rear: 135/168 lbs/in






Part #: SKQ08-G1B00

 

Shock life depreciation aside, many prefer aftermarket shocks because the OEM struts do not work well with the stiffer spring rates. A poorly matched spring/shock combination can reduce handling and ride quality as well as introduce bump steer.

That said, most of the subtle lowering springs ~.7-1.5", should be okay unless they are "race" inspired with a crazy spring rate.

 

Hey dude if you ever made a trip to fort Walton beach I could help you install them on base. It usually takes about three hours give or take. Ill be installing my Eibach springs Tuesday so pretty excited about that.

 

I agree and having replaced shocks with KYB's (same manufacturer as OEM's) found the gas pressure to be higher or quality better then the OEM's, now the springs rattle around a bit, 20-20 hindsite I wish I had installed the springs also.
IMHO, shocks,springs, tires and 12v batteries are all just good enough to get the vehicle off the dealers lot when new and should be changed for safety and durability reasons.

 

I agree with Mac. Shocker right?

In my case I had over 130k on the OEM struts were starting to fail so replacing them along with the failing OEM springs just seemed a no brainier. I couldn't be happier. I love the way the car drives now. Like others have stated, it feels like a totally different car now. It's much sportier feeling and looks much better.

 

I would recommend changing shocks with lowering springs. Just my 2 cents

 

My struts only have 12k miles on them so I just left them stock until they go out. I just installed my Eibach springs today. What options for struts does the Gen III even have yet? If any?

 

Spings installed already! Thanks for a great transaction.