Hiyas;

After checking the reviews section and doing a search on posts without finding a answer that fits, I thought I'd try here.

I've noticed that my tC has quite a bit of float in the suspension. When I encounter highway dips and yumps, or turn hard into a corner with an uneven surface, the car tends to rise up a bit more than I'd like. It needs to feel more nailed to the road.

While keeping the stock wheels/tires, would installing the TRD springs help? If I do the springs alone, will there be any kind of mismatch with the stock struts/shocks that might replace one problem with another? I like the 1-inch lowered look of the springs, but should I do the struts/shocks and keep the stock springs instead? I'm looking to replace only what's necessary using TRD parts through my Scion dealer.

Also, I have a long commute and it's imperitive that the ride quality not be ruined. I expect the lower, stiffer springs will firm it up some, but my concern is that it still be comfortable for long drives on lousy Silicon Valley-area roads.

Thanks for any advice!

Dave

 

If you are paying someone to do it, then save up and do the shocks at the same time. If TRD shocks fine, if some other shock (adjustable) that would be good too.

 

I've had TRD Springs on stock struts for the 10,000+ miles. (almost a year) I've also got the rear sway bar.

I do notice a difference in the ride comfort now, which I think may have been a gradual change. I feel bumps/cracks/pot holes in the road more than I used to...

I've got a 25 minute commute on a crappy hiway, but in my personal opinion, the benefit of superior handling far outweighs the slight increase of bumpiness. (especially when it comes to dodging moose in the road at night)

I've yet to see how much the springs will shorten the life of the stock struts.

 

I have TRD springs and the rear anti-sway bar on my tC, and I live in the Silicon Valley as well. I don't have the TRD shocks.

The ride is actually better than stock, as the springs are firmer but not too firm for day-to-day driving. My wife was initially somewhat against lowering the car, as she feared it would be "ricey", but after the install, she was very complimentary towards the ride. The shocks would probably make my ride even better, but I'll wait for the stock shocks to blow out before I go replacing them with TRD shocks. I use the tC as a commuter car, so I just don't care enough.

The handling is definitely better. The car is not that much lower to the ground, but I get a lot less of the floatiness than before the install. The rear anti-sway bar makes the car noticeably easier to rotate in sharp turns. The car overall just feels more buttoned-down compared to stock. The tC should have come this way IMO, as the stock handling is very very average for this class.

I bought my TRD stuff online, and had Stylis on this board install them at his shop in Milpitas for $180, after figuring out that I needed an impact wrench to get the lower strut bolts off. (I tried using a breaker bar, but that just resulted in me almost rocking the car off of the jackstand, and a broken socket). The install seems fine. The rear wheels do have some slight negative camber now, but I just rotated my wheels the other day and didn't notice any significant wear on the insides of the tires (surprisingly) after around 9k miles on this setup.

Hope this helps.

 

I agree, and if you want to soften the ride some and get better handling after the drop, putting the right tires on goes a long way.

Ken
www.trdsparks.com

 

You know you just want to throw on the 19inch wheels and drop it 2inchs. :D

 

moved...

 

I agree completely. This car with the stock suspension just doesn't make sense. The car looks and feels the part of the sporty car but is no where near it stock. Infact I have been recently test driving some Celica's with stock suspension for my G/F and they are stiffer and tighter then the TC is with the TRD gear... very sad.

Needless to say I think the TRD will be fine for you, but for me it is still to soft and I am looking for different products. I will probably try a good adjustable shock, or maybe a coil over system (probably the later).

 

 

How is the camber with the TRD springs? My last car was a honda accord that was lowered 2.25" and even though I could have rotated them a bit more, I went through tires alot quicker than I would have liked to. Even with a front camber kit.

 

I have both the TRD shocks and springs. While they do help out alot, I felt my car still had more body roll than I liked. I then got Hotchkis front and rear sway bars installed. Couldnt be more happy. Not only does the car handle better but it also feels more conected to the road. You stated that you would like to stay with TRD parts but if you get the shocks and springs, I would highly recommend Hotchkis front and rear sway bars. You wont be sorry.

 

you def need a camber kit. it's too neg. for my tastes. i getting the rears from hotchkis. the fronts look ok but still like to square all four.