Spring Installation on Scion xB
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 3,353
From: Holding the detonator
Originally Posted by cursedpumpkin
I just installed a set of goldline springs 3 days ago and used your tech guide. It was a very detailed guide to use. I just have one question about the front though. I had no problem doing the front other than the alignment cup on the top of strut (the one that says out) turning on me while i was torqueing down the driver side. So i had to take it out and do it all over again on the driver side, but then torqued it down while the car was on the ground. One question i have is how do you know you got the strut bolt tight enough in the front? When i re-checked it today, the bolt just kept on turning which means its just turning the whole shaft of the strut while im tightning it. There is a noise in the front while i go slow over large bump in the road, but this might just be the coils coming into contact with each other and rubbing. The back makes the same noise. Is there a way i can take out the strut and tighten the bolt while its out of the car so i know its really tight? Is there a stationary bolt on the shaft that you can hold on too with a open end wrench while tightning the top 17mm bolt? I dont really want to put a vise on the shaft because it could damage the it. Sorry about this being so long.
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 3,353
From: Holding the detonator
Originally Posted by cursedpumpkin
I just installed a set of goldline springs 3 days ago and used your tech guide. It was a very detailed guide to use. I just have one question about the front though. I had no problem doing the front other than the alignment cup on the top of strut (the one that says out) turning on me while i was torqueing down the driver side. So i had to take it out and do it all over again on the driver side, but then torqued it down while the car was on the ground. One question i have is how do you know you got the strut bolt tight enough in the front? When i re-checked it today, the bolt just kept on turning which means its just turning the whole shaft of the strut while im tightning it. There is a noise in the front while i go slow over large bump in the road, but this might just be the coils coming into contact with each other and rubbing. The back makes the same noise. Is there a way i can take out the strut and tighten the bolt while its out of the car so i know its really tight? Is there a stationary bolt on the shaft that you can hold on too with a open end wrench while tightning the top 17mm bolt? I dont really want to put a vise on the shaft because it could damage the it. Sorry about this being so long.
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Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 62
I think i might have explained myself wrong. After you set the car on the ground, then tighten up the strut bolt, is there a point after that the bolt seams is tight it can turn more if you really put some muscle into it? It just feels like im fighting against something rubber in a way. It feels secure though. Do you have experience with the goldline springs? My scion did not come with those rubber tubes that are on the stock springs.
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Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 161
From: Novi, MI
mine felt that way too. I just tryed to observe how tight each nut was and tried to tighten it back to about the same amount of torque. Even though they felt rubbery they tightened up OK.
Hope this helps
Hope this helps
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Utah Scions
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Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 557
From: Salt Lake, Utah
i went to go get my car aligned when i did the install and they told me it did not need it that only 2 things had chang from the normal stats and that was just do to the fact that the car was lowered the guy said not to wory about it. Just my $0.02....
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Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 62
You need to do a allignment WHENEVER you do any adjustments to the suspension of a car. Hence the lowering is going to mess with the camber and toe of the car. When i lowered mine, it didnt feel like i need a allignment but i still took it in so i wouldnt mess up my brand new 215/35/18 toyo proxies. They told me that my toe was out a little and I had negative camber which you will allways have when you lower something that has a strut setup.
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Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 52
From: Bothell, WA
Ok guys, wish me luck. 
I have read over all 3 pages of comments and tips and now I think i am going to attempt to do my XB tomorrow. I purchased suspension tech springs with a 1.75" drop all the way around, so I hope I do it right and it sounds rather easy...
Thanks for all the advice and if I have any questions, I will be sure to come back and ask
Thanks alot guys
I have read over all 3 pages of comments and tips and now I think i am going to attempt to do my XB tomorrow. I purchased suspension tech springs with a 1.75" drop all the way around, so I hope I do it right and it sounds rather easy...
Thanks for all the advice and if I have any questions, I will be sure to come back and ask
Thanks alot guys
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Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 62
Quick question of the back spring rubber mounts. Do the top need to be facing a certain direction? What i mean of this is that there are 5 or 6 little notches on top that are placed againt the car. Do these need to face a certain direction and does it matter where the tail of the coil is facing? Tail meaning the very last coil that sits against the notch of the rubber mount.
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Scikotics
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 7,374
From: www.scikotics.com
Yes it does, which springs are you mounting? I know with the Goldlines, the Goldlines emblem ends up facing the tire.
I believe that puts the tail of the spring facing the tire also.
Might be better to wait for someone a little more confident to respond....lol
I believe that puts the tail of the spring facing the tire also.
Might be better to wait for someone a little more confident to respond....lol
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Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 62
My Goldline logo is not in the exact same area from one spring to the next.... But maybe your right... How long did it take for your goldline's to settle in the back? My Xb seems a little hight in the back than the front when im looking at the wheel gap.
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Scikotics
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 7,374
From: www.scikotics.com
I'm not sure how long it takes normally. I loaded up the rear with kids and luggage the next day and went on a road trip. They haven't dropped any more since then.
You could always call Goldline, they have excellent customer service. http://www.goldlineonline.com/
You could always call Goldline, they have excellent customer service. http://www.goldlineonline.com/
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Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 52
From: Bothell, WA
OK guys, THANK YOU VERY MUCH for all the help and the step by step on how to lower the XB. I just completed lowering my car on friday and everything works great. Had some issues and difficulties with the front, but other then that, it was rather easy.
Mental note for anyone attempting to do this later. I ended up removing the wipers and the plastic cowl piece to get to the top 12mm nuts on top of the strut tower. It took a little extra time, but it saved some time getting to those back ones, which were a bi**h. So just a FYI
Also, if anyone interested, look into the suspention tech springs (got mine on ebay for $100 shipped). They ride real nice, almost like stock ones. Don't bounce to much, but aren't super rough on every bump in the road. Looks good too. Once I figure out how to post pics on here without a url, I will get 'em on here.
Again, THANK YOU everyone for your help
Mental note for anyone attempting to do this later. I ended up removing the wipers and the plastic cowl piece to get to the top 12mm nuts on top of the strut tower. It took a little extra time, but it saved some time getting to those back ones, which were a bi**h. So just a FYI
Also, if anyone interested, look into the suspention tech springs (got mine on ebay for $100 shipped). They ride real nice, almost like stock ones. Don't bounce to much, but aren't super rough on every bump in the road. Looks good too. Once I figure out how to post pics on here without a url, I will get 'em on here.
Again, THANK YOU everyone for your help
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Scikotics
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 7,374
From: www.scikotics.com
Another, easier way to get thos bolts off the top of the strut tower is to loosen them up as much as you can and then jack the car up. Once the front tires are off the ground, you can push down on the tire a little and get all the clearance you need. Very handy for putting on strut tower braces too.
