i installed my springs about 2 months ago.......the right side is about .5-.75 in higher than the right side I dont understand why......does anyone know anything about his or has anyone experienced the same thing?????? the left side looks perfect but right side is not so great

the right side is about .5-.75 in higher than the right side I dont understand why......does anyone know anything about his or has anyone experienced the same thing?????? the left side looks perfect but right side is not so great

I'm guessing you meant the right side site higher than the left side??
Not trying to be a d**k, just want to make sure I understand your question.

you didn't accidently install one of the rear springs in the front did you?

I don't think he could.....the front springs wouldn't fit inthe rear.

you didn't accidently install one of the rear springs in the front did you?

tell me your joking.

My passenger side sits about 1/4" higher than my drivers side as well. I have goldines and everything is installed right. There is a thread somewhere about this issue (many people with teins notice this as well).

I also have the TRD Lowering Springs and have noticed the same "problem". I am not exactly sure why but the left side of my car sits about 1/8 - 1/4 of an inch lower than the right side. It is practically unnoticable. I learned to live with it.

here I found the thread:
http://www.scionlife.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=55999

OMG :shock:
I'm glad someone brought that up. I thought it was my own problem, and I took my tC to do alignment

Is it possible that as the springs break in that since most of the time people are driving solo that the springs on the driver side get broken in more then the passenger side?

I had the same issue in the rear with the trd springs, so I removed them and swapped them from one side to the other and that helped even things out in my case.

^^^ so the logical conclusion then is issue is definitely driver weight causing some breakin/sag, versus no passenger weight, and therefore, not an issue at all.

I can't possibly see any other explanation, across multiple brands of springs (from the other thread).

If it really bothers you so much, swap your sides, that will cause it to even out. OR just try and ride around for about a week with two passengers, 1 in the front, 1 in the passenger rear.

wouldn't there be plenty more wieght on the drivers side because of the driver and the tranny...?

Is the trans more on the driver side? I haven't looked so I don't know, but I thought it was more central.

^^^ so the logical conclusion then is issue is definitely driver weight causing some breakin/sag, versus no passenger weight, and therefore, not an issue at all.

I can't possibly see any other explanation, across multiple brands of springs (from the other thread).

Are you kidding me? That just seems ridiculous.. the driver's solo weight is negligible when you're talking about a 3000 lb car.. and even if it wasn't, it'd take a lot longer than a few months to change the compression of a spring like that.

I have TRD springs and had the same height issue immediately after install.. after taking a look at the front right spring, I noticed that it was out of position by about 180 degrees.. after correcting the spring's orientation (the end of the coil fits specifically into the strut), the left-right height difference was a lot less noticeable. I think my car has settled to the point that the height diff is barely noticeable.

Just my $.02... :lalala:


-K

Are you kidding me? That just seems ridiculous.. the driver's solo weight is negligible when you're talking about a 3000 lb car.. and even if it wasn't, it'd take a lot longer than a few months to change the compression of a spring like that.

I have TRD springs and had the same height issue immediately after install.. after taking a look at the front right spring, I noticed that it was out of position by about 180 degrees.. after correcting the spring's orientation (the end of the coil fits specifically into the strut), the left-right height difference was a lot less noticeable. I think my car has settled to the point that the height diff is barely noticeable.

Just my $.02... :lalala:


-K

I agree that the drivers weight is neglible, however, how else do you explain that the drivers side sits lower on so many tc's, occuring across differnet brands of springs?? Driver weight seems more reasonible than suggesting the cause is each and everyone of the people having this problem have the springs seated incorrectly, and only on the passenger side! I *know* mine are seated correctly.

The guy I was responding to specifically stated that he had the problem, and then he switched the sides the springs were on (drivers side springs to passenger, and vice versa) and the issue went away. To me, that suggests that the springs settle somewhat (0.25-0.5 inches) after install, and that the driver weight acts as a catalyst on the drivers side.

moved...

Are you kidding me? That just seems ridiculous.. the driver's solo weight is negligible when you're talking about a 3000 lb car.. and even if it wasn't, it'd take a lot longer than a few months to change the compression of a spring like that.

I have TRD springs and had the same height issue immediately after install.. after taking a look at the front right spring, I noticed that it was out of position by about 180 degrees.. after correcting the spring's orientation (the end of the coil fits specifically into the strut), the left-right height difference was a lot less noticeable. I think my car has settled to the point that the height diff is barely noticeable.

Just my $.02... :lalala:


-K

I agree that the drivers weight is neglible, however, how else do you explain that the drivers side sits lower on so many tc's, occuring across differnet brands of springs?? Driver weight seems more reasonible than suggesting the cause is each and everyone of the people having this problem have the springs seated incorrectly, and only on the passenger side! I *know* mine are seated correctly.

The guy I was responding to specifically stated that he had the problem, and then he switched the sides the springs were on (drivers side springs to passenger, and vice versa) and the issue went away. To me, that suggests that the springs settle somewhat (0.25-0.5 inches) after install, and that the driver weight acts as a catalyst on the drivers side.

Sorry, I didn't mean to attack you.. I just grabbed one of whoever was saying it..

If it really is driver weight, then wouldn't the stock springs be affected as well? Why is this a problem only after swapping springs?

-K

The guy I was responding to specifically stated that he had the problem, and then he switched the sides the springs were on (drivers side springs to passenger, and vice versa) and the issue went away. To me, that suggests that the springs settle somewhat (0.25-0.5 inches) after install...

Or it could mean that he put them in correctly the second time he did it. It does seem awfly conincidental that it's the passenger side thats higher on all the cars, but I had mine done at the dealership, and i dont' notice any difference between the two sides.
I was also thinking driver weight, but then you could also say that if you make more right hand turns then left that it would put more pressure on the left side.
Besides, when I was putting in my front sway bar, I noticed a huge gap in the engine bay on the drivers side, almost like it's off to the side to compensate for the weight of the driver. I know that sounds completely stupid, but I said it anyway :P

also, if u lower your car, the shocks/struts have to be for the correct pressure, you see when you lower your car, all the weight that was on the orginal springs are on the struts now, meaning that they are compressed and they will explode and you will have no wheels ....


j/k btw

I had a similar problem and took the car to the dealer for the alignment. The alignment nearly solved the problem but I think I still have just a little bit of drop on the driver side (but not noticeable at all). I'd recommend the alignment if you see persistent uneveness in your springs.

I have TRD springs and had the same height issue immediately after install.. after taking a look at the front right spring, I noticed that it was out of position by about 180 degrees.. after correcting the spring's orientation (the end of the coil fits specifically into the strut), the left-right height difference was a lot less noticeable. I think my car has settled to the point that the height diff is barely noticeable.

I just measured.. front passenger sits 1/4 inch higher than the other three when measuring from rim to fender. This is starting to get to me.. I just want to know what we're doing wrong..

-K

Do you have sway bars? I was a bit uneven in the rear. I noticed that after I switched my setting to hard on my hotchkis rear sway, it evened out my rear passenger that was a bit too high.... now after a few months the springs have settled perfectly.

Sorry, I didn't mean to attack you.. I just grabbed one of whoever was saying it..

If it really is driver weight, then wouldn't the stock springs be affected as well? Why is this a problem only after swapping springs?

-K

No worries, we;'re just havng a friendly discussion, no one is getting stabbed with a knife......yet :P

also, if u lower your car, the shocks/struts have to be for the correct pressure, you see when you lower your car, all the weight that was on the orginal springs are on the struts now, meaning that they are compressed and they will explode and you will have no wheels ....


j/k btw

Lol, I hope you were kidding about *all* of that, and not just the exploding wheels.

I had a similar problem and took the car to the dealer for the alignment. The alignment nearly solved the problem but I think I still have just a little bit of drop on the driver side (but not noticeable at all). I'd recommend the alignment if you see persistent uneveness in your springs.

i have the same problem...
if i may ask, how much did the dealer charge you for the alignment???
thanks.

good stuff guys.......im gunna take it to alignment.......my driver side is such a nice drop i can barely fit two fingers in between the tires and fenders....but the right side 3 fingers....its not so bad considering the wagonish look when i first got the car but everyone notices and ask me about why its like that......really annoying ......

First things first:

A. Did you install the springs yourself?

If "yes" then:

B. Did you do it in your garage at home with a couple of jacks to lift your car?

And:

C. Did you know that the dealer specs for installation includes alignment?

Not to harp on you or anything, but even though springs are one of the cheapest performance parts to get, correct installation is neither cheap nor easy.

I changed the springs w/ my roomate and it took us 3hr to change all 4 of them. I initially took it to the NTB for alignment but they didn't have the factory specs. Then I took it to the dealer and they only charged me $68 for alignment, which was very reasonable.

First things first:

A. Did you install the springs yourself?

If "yes" then:

B. Did you do it in your garage at home with a couple of jacks to lift your car?

And:

C. Did you know that the dealer specs for installation includes alignment?

Not to harp on you or anything, but even though springs are one of the cheapest performance parts to get, correct installation is neither cheap nor easy.


A. YES
B. YES
C. NO.......

but does alignment make all the difference......and if so ...may seem dumb to ask but if it fixes the problem and when they even out does that mean the lower side will sit a bit higher as it evens out with the previously higher side?
:nails:

that sucks how you can't return it. But what if everyone's springs is a little off, but its just not noticeable.

First things first:

A. Did you install the springs yourself?

If "yes" then:

B. Did you do it in your garage at home with a couple of jacks to lift your car?

And:

C. Did you know that the dealer specs for installation includes alignment?

Not to harp on you or anything, but even though springs are one of the cheapest performance parts to get, correct installation is neither cheap nor easy.

I did the install of the trd springs/struts myself.
I waited until my 5000 checkup was due. WHen I scheduled my appointment, I told the guy that the car seemed to be pulling to the right, and could they check the alignment. I never mentioned anything about the springs/struts being replaced.

The dealer did the alignment for free on my car. And for those that ask, no I did not buy the springs or struts from the dealer, I bought them from TRDSparks.
1

umm is this problem only for people that have the trd lowering springs but no trd shocks? thats wut i seem to be noticing...

^^^It's not specific to TRD springs...people have stated they've had this problem wth Tein's, Goldlines, and a few others.

also, if u lower your car, the shocks/struts have to be for the correct pressure, you see when you lower your car, all the weight that was on the orginal springs are on the struts now, meaning that they are compressed and they will explode and you will have no wheels ....


j/k btw

Lol, I hope you were kidding about *all* of that, and not just the exploding wheels.

well to be honest, you do have to get the correct struts if you lower your ride, if you don't then the ones you have will wear out faster because they are supporting that much more weight.

^^^It's not specific to TRD springs...people have stated they've had this problem wth Tein's, Goldlines, and a few others.

I guess this is why I always stuck with SPRINT SPRINGS, after experience level problems with Eibach and TEIN. I love SPRINT, perfectly level along with no sagg after 3 years on my 7 GEN Celica GT-S. My tC is sitting purdy and perfectly level too.....

Good luck........hope everything works out for you guys...

Lol, I hope you were kidding about *all* of that, and not just the exploding wheels.

well to be honest, you do have to get the correct struts if you lower your ride, if you don't then the ones you have will wear out faster because they are supporting that much more weight.

If i understand it correctly, it's not the weight causing this, it's the decreased height the truts are now traveling. When you put the stock struts on the shorter springs, you're keeping the struts in a "half damped" position, which means the gas inside is partially compressed from the start. The amount of weight hasn't changed. Basically, the amount of gas used to be able to travel throughout the entire opertaing length of the strut. Now, because of the shortened springs, the same amount of gas is occupying less volume, so the pressure in the struts is increased.

That's how it was explained to me....I have no idea whether that is actually the truth, but it seems plausible.

Do you have sway bars? I was a bit uneven in the rear. I noticed that after I switched my setting to hard on my hotchkis rear sway, it evened out my rear passenger that was a bit too high.... now after a few months the springs have settled perfectly.
Is it just me, or does it seem like front sway bar lowered the front end just a tad?

i just measured my front after reading this thread, and my driver is a 1/4" lower than my passenger too!!! what the hells goin on? I had Toyota put them _____es on too. anyone know if TRD will do anything about this? it must be a defect with all the ones they made

I changed the springs w/ my roomate and it took us 3hr to change all 4 of them. I initially took it to the NTB for alignment but they didn't have the factory specs. Then I took it to the dealer and they only charged me $68 for alignment, which was very reasonable.

I just had my friend install my TRD springs along with new wheels 225/40/18's. I took it to the dealer to get my wheel alignment and they told me I voided my warranty with the install of lowering springs. They said my wheels were too big and they can't get the specs for my car because of my springs, and because my wheels were too big. Is this right???

First off the springs are TRD. Second when you first buy the tC there is an option to upgrade the wheels to 18's with tires at 225/40/18. How could the dealer offer this setup but not take my setup under warranty??? :tap:

I just had my friend install my TRD springs along with new wheels 225/40/18's. I took it to the dealer to get my wheel alignment and they told me I voided my warranty with the install of lowering springs. They said my wheels were too big and they can't get the specs for my car because of my springs, and because my wheels were too big. Is this right???

First off the springs are TRD. Second when you first buy the tC there is an option to upgrade the wheels to 18's with tires at 225/40/18. How could the dealer offer this setup but not take my setup under warranty??? :tap:

Absoultely not!!!

Who at that dealership told you that? A service tech or the manager?
I would go back to that dealership. and ask to speak with a manager. Tell him that 1) according to the Magnussen/Moss act, for a warranty to be voided, the dealer must prove *in writing*, not simply "saying" or stating, that either the parts themselves, or a faulty install of the parts, is responsible for the voided warranty. As the springs are TRD, there is no way the parts themselves can be held to blame. The tire size is not an issue, as the tc's have an option for 18" tires's on the website.

If the person still inssits that your warranty is voided, tell him you want him to write that in writing, and sign it. Then, when you have that in hand, tell him you are going to call Scion corporate and inform them what is going on.

The dealer is feeding you a load of crap.

I just had my friend install my TRD springs along with new wheels 225/40/18's. I took it to the dealer to get my wheel alignment and they told me I voided my warranty with the install of lowering springs. They said my wheels were too big and they can't get the specs for my car because of my springs, and because my wheels were too big. Is this right???

First off the springs are TRD. Second when you first buy the tC there is an option to upgrade the wheels to 18's with tires at 225/40/18. How could the dealer offer this setup but not take my setup under warranty??? :tap:

Absoultely not!!!

Who at that dealership told you that? A service tech or the manager?
I would go back to that dealership. and ask to speak with a manager. Tell him that 1) according to the Magnussen/Moss act, for a warranty to be voided, the dealer must prove *in writing*, not simply "saying" or stating, that either the parts themselves, or a faulty install of the parts, is responsible for the voided warranty. As the springs are TRD, there is no way the parts themselves can be held to blame. The tire size is not an issue, as the tc's have an option for 18" tires's on the website.

If the person still inssits that your warranty is voided, tell him you want him to write that in writing, and sign it. Then, when you have that in hand, tell him you are going to call Scion corporate and inform them what is going on.

The dealer is feeding you a load of crap.

A service tech told me that. I'm gonig to go back whenever I have time and raise hell. Good looking out toast box. Also has this happened to anyone else? Has anyone had problems with their warranty with the installation of TRD springs?? Please speak up.

No problem, glad to help :)

search on this site for Magnusen Moss act...it's in one of the FAQs, under the technical forums. *Regardless* of who makes the springs, be it TRD, Tein, Eibach, whomever, your warranty cannot be voided with the installation of springs unless the dealer can prove the parts themselves are defective, not designed for your car, or were installed improperly.

Do the search, read the article, and you'll see it's pretty clear.

Regarding your comments of

Also has this happened to anyone else? Has anyone had problems with their warranty with the installation of TRD springs?? Please speak up.
that really belongs in a seperate/new post. Posting that question here is bringing the original post offtopic :P

Could it be that we are compressing one spring more than the other during install and that spring is not recovering??................and that coincidentally or something we are all doing the drivers side first....therefor compressing that one more.......therefor compressing passenger side less and thus the problem?? Just did mine over the weekend and the front is perfect but there is abount a 1/2 to 3/4 inch difference in the rear (passenger side higher of course)

that voiding ur warranty is BS ........my dealer said that I would void my dealer's "life time warranty" if i got service done anywhere outside of their place........but the toyota warranty cant be voided unless they got proof that sometin from the part u installed messed up the car......but still they're TRD made by toyota just get real mad at them and tell them you r going to tell toyota and all that crap maybe u can get some free oil changes and service junk out of them......cuz thats total BS

I took my rear suspension apart and everything was together right. So I took the back apart, and with the struts installed, tiightened the top screw on the right strut. VOILA fixed the problem. When I pulled out both struts and put them side by side, the one on the left side was shorter!......and there was nothing I could do except put them back in and overtighten the right strut tower bolt when back in the car (for leverage). It seemed to do the trick though. BTW I took apart and re-assembled both struts, as well as switched the springs, which made NO DIFFERENCE. The position of the left rear strut top seems to make that strut about 1/8-1/4" shorter than the right rear! Hope this helps. One more thing......I did have a mechanic with me, and we were both boggled as to how the stock struts sit evenly given the different positions of the strut tops needed for proper installation. OH WELL. at least we fixed it!

I took my rear suspension apart and everything was together right. So I took the back apart, and with the struts installed, tiightened the top screw on the right strut. VOILA fixed the problem. When I pulled out both struts and put them side by side, the one on the left side was shorter!......and there was nothing I could do except put them back in and overtighten the right strut tower bolt when back in the car (for leverage). It seemed to do the trick though. BTW I took apart and re-assembled both struts, as well as switched the springs, which made NO DIFFERENCE. The position of the left rear strut top seems to make that strut about 1/8-1/4" shorter than the right rear! Hope this helps. One more thing......I did have a mechanic with me, and we were both boggled as to how the stock struts sit evenly given the different positions of the strut tops needed for proper installation. OH WELL. at least we fixed it!

As far as the setting issue, you could always swap the springs from the driver's side to the passenger side. Then those springs will set too shortly, making the car an even ride.

i installed my springs about 2 months ago.......the right side is about .5-.75 in higher than the right side I dont understand why......does anyone know anything about his or has anyone experienced the same thing?????? the left side looks perfect but right side is not so great


My drop was even up front but 1/2 inch higher on the passenger rear. I drove around a few months with a 50lb bag of sand above it and now its even.

I have tein s techs and h&r 20mm spacers and its settled to 2.5 inch drop all around. I think the 40mm wider on the rear caused the rear to drop alittle more than usual. No gap all around.

the tein Stech drop is real hot........do u have aftermarket struts with them?......if not how is the ride?......the TRD ride is same as the stock springs

Anyone fix this by tightening the nut at the top of the strut bar while leaving everything else bolted in? Want to try this because passenger rear is still a little higher.

I KNOW THE PROBLEM AND I FIGURED IT OUT WHILE I WAS DOING IT. YOUR GROOVES ON THE INSIDE OF THE SPRING CAP IS NOT ALIGNED CORRECTLY. USUALLY ON OTHER CARS THE GROOVES ARE ON THE OUTSIDE AND YOU CAN ALIGN THE GROOVES WITHOUT ANY PROBLEMS BUT SINCE THE GROOVES ARE ON THE INSIDE YOU CAN ONLY TRY AND "GUESS". THE BEST THING TO DO IS DRAW A STRAIGHT LINE WITH A MARKER TO TELL YOU WHERE THE CAP AND BOTTOM OF SHOCKS LINE UP. NEXT TIME YOU DO SUSPENSIONS BUY A PERMANENT MARKER (A SILVER ONE) TO HELP DRAW A GUIDE LINE WITH. I KNOW THIS BECAUSE I DONE A LOT OF SUSPENSIONS AND TC IS THE FIRST ONE I HAD WITH A PROBLEM. I KNOW THIS BECAUSE WHEN I DID MY PASSENGER ONE I DIDNT KNOW ABOUT THE GROOVES SO I MESSED UP THE PASSENGER AND SO WHEN I DID THE DRIVER I USED A MARKER AND DREW A LINE ALL THE WAY DOWN FROM THE CAP TO THE END OF THE SHOCKS AND THAT HELPED ME DO THE SPRINGS IN LIKE 15 MINUTES.


SO CHECK THE GROOVES ON YOUR SPRING CAPS THAT ALIGN THE SPRINGS WITH IT AND MAKE SURE IT IS ALIGNED

So whats the bottom line?

Faulty springs?

or

Improper installation?

I am thinking of installing trd springs and do not want this problem.

Yeah, and if you measure drop, the proper way is to measure from the center of the wheel to the lip of the fender, not from the ground...I see a lot of people do this and it drives me nuts...air pressure variances in the tire can cause the measurement to be off by 1/8-1/2"...

So whats the bottom line?

Faulty springs?

or

Improper installation?

I am thinking of installing trd springs and do not want this problem.

It ain't the springs.

BTW, kudos to everyone on this forum. We've had some good responses - concise, thoughtful, relevant.

OK, i had this problem. As for myself, i can not just "deal" with it. So i took my back passenger strut off @ 3:30 in the morning. If you all will go to your tc, look at the bottom of the struts on both sides, you will notice that the bottom 1/2" dip (where the springs start/lowest point of the strut) on the driver side faces to the OUTSIDE of the car, while the passenger side faces to the INSIDE of the car. Then if u will notice the struts sit at a slight angle. the driver side sits like this / and the passenger sits like this \ . Where the driver side strut starts the spring out on the OUTSIDE of the car, it actually starts at a lower point than the passenger side b/c the passenger side faces in and starts at about 1/4" higher point. I did not notice this (or atleast think it out) until i took the right rear apart 4 times. Finally i decided "Nothing has helped so this is what i'm going to do". I took the right rear side (the side that sits higher) took it apart and put it back together so that the dip in the plate at the bottom of the strut was facing to the OUTSIDE of the car like the driver side was. I also made sure i tightened the strut down AS FAR AS POSSIBLE while compressed. Assemble the side back togeather, drove it for 2 days, and BOOM!!!!! The car sits perfectly level. Its all about geometry =) This worked for me, once u look @ the struts and the way they face, you will notice what i am talking about. I hope this helps most of you guys! =)

"HOLY RESSURECTIONS BATMAN"

Just kidding.
So, was this only with the rear, or did you do something to the front as well?

This was only on the rear. I had no problems with the front. But i hope it helps you all with the rear problem.

Whatever it is, when it gets resolved tell me for future reference

That sounds weird. I wonder if those springs are used.... like someone torched' em or something.

I just did mine today with a friend of mine. Spent nearly the whole day doing it, but it was more than worth it. My measurements are level on all four corners, no unevenness whatsoever. Handling is rock solid, agressive. Next stop: new tires!

I KNOW THE PROBLEM AND I FIGURED IT OUT WHILE I WAS DOING IT. YOUR GROOVES ON THE INSIDE OF THE SPRING CAP IS NOT ALIGNED CORRECTLY. USUALLY ON OTHER CARS THE GROOVES ARE ON THE OUTSIDE AND YOU CAN ALIGN THE GROOVES WITHOUT ANY PROBLEMS BUT SINCE THE GROOVES ARE ON THE INSIDE YOU CAN ONLY TRY AND "GUESS". THE BEST THING TO DO IS DRAW A STRAIGHT LINE WITH A MARKER TO TELL YOU WHERE THE CAP AND BOTTOM OF SHOCKS LINE UP. NEXT TIME YOU DO SUSPENSIONS BUY A PERMANENT MARKER (A SILVER ONE) TO HELP DRAW A GUIDE LINE WITH. I KNOW THIS BECAUSE I DONE A LOT OF SUSPENSIONS AND TC IS THE FIRST ONE I HAD WITH A PROBLEM. I KNOW THIS BECAUSE WHEN I DID MY PASSENGER ONE I DIDNT KNOW ABOUT THE GROOVES SO I MESSED UP THE PASSENGER AND SO WHEN I DID THE DRIVER I USED A MARKER AND DREW A LINE ALL THE WAY DOWN FROM THE CAP TO THE END OF THE SHOCKS AND THAT HELPED ME DO THE SPRINGS IN LIKE 15 MINUTES.


SO CHECK THE GROOVES ON YOUR SPRING CAPS THAT ALIGN THE SPRINGS WITH IT AND MAKE SURE IT IS ALIGNED

Good tip, but erm do you know how many internet etiquette laws you are breaking by typing in all caps? Well one to be exact, but still. :lalala:

Are you all using a torque wrench? If that top nut fixes the problem, maybe you are not torquing both sides to the exact same torque setting? I have not had this problem with any car installing lowering springs, but I always use a torque wrench if it fits.