Hey all you suspension guru's out there I need some advice.

First, I installed a set of Tein S.Tech springs over the weekend. After doing some reading on here about problems with shocks/struts I went to look at my own ride. I read somewhere that at the top of the strut there should be no gap. I noticed that mine has a gap between the plate with the three bolts and the dust cap plate on the strut, this wasn't like this before it's maybe a gap of an 1/8th of an inch. Other than that everything seems fine, the ride is stiffer that what is was before especially over bumps. Also when I push down on the corners of the fron't it doesn't move all that much but the lil bit it does move it bounces right back into place and doesn't move after (no swaying)

So my main question is this, should I be conscerned about this gap or no? And if so what do I need to do about it?

-Chris

 

Also it is the same amount of gap on both sides equally.

And I've also noticed slight and I do mean slight negative camber as well.

If either of these two things matter...just need some advice.

-Chris

 

There should be a small gap between the base of the top hat and the small circular space that holds the dust cap, but very small.

Actually, on mine the passenger side is popped up a little more then the drivers side. It has been like this for over a year now and i really havent noticed any problems with it. I have seen several others that are popped more. Basically if you dont have any noise or wiggle room in your suspension you should be fine. Just keep an eye on it.

 

Sweet thanks for the info...I'll keep an eye on it. So far nothing is broke my alignment is fine as well. If anyone has any additional information feel free to post it but thanks for the info so far.

-Chris

 

to the eye you may think you have some negetive camber, but you don't.
i used the tein s-tech and i used the monro sensa trach from the echo that gave me another 1/2 lower in the front.


i waited about 2 months then got the eligement. the ONLY thing that was out was the toe, and it was only out by a very little.

i used the monroe sensa tracks to help soften the ride because i knew the s-tech would make it a tad rough.
i did it all at the same time. i can give you part #s for the shocks & struts if you need them.
it helps alot.

 

Sweet thanks, yea if you can give me a part number or a link to where I can find em. What is the price range I'd be looking at, if you don't mind telling?

Another question I have is, I'm still on the stock wheels, will my ride become even stiffer with aftermarket rims? I was looking at 18's with 215/35 rubber.

-Chris

 

yeh, 18s will make it stiffer.
71575 for the front 5870 for the rear, "Monroe Sensa-tracs"
the struts were about $66 each and the shocks were about
$27 each. and you can get them from any local part shop.

now remember this set up give you en extra 1/2 lower in the front!
every thing went very smoth for the install and i have not had any problems.

ive also got 15mm OTG style hub spacers in the rear.
i got them from keoki at a realy good deal. hes a SL member that make and sells the OTG type hub spacers. PM him if you are interested.

 

Good stuff thanks again for the info, that is way cheaper than I thought they were going to be. Trust me when I say thats a good thing.

-Chris

 

I'm sorry but how will changing the struts lower the vehicle? Unless the housing to the shock itself (on the echo) is shorter than that on the xB. Regarding the ride quality with aftermarket rims, it all depends on the type of tire and size.

 

Not quite sure on the strut the other guy should have that info for ya. But I was looking at and 18x7.5 wheel on 215/35 series tire. I know the ride will be stiffer.

I guess the better question would be, once I combine the new rims/tires with the tein s.techs will it be so stiff as to cause damage to the stock struts/shocks?

 

the lower perch that cradels the spring is a 1/2 lower on the strut housing for then echo the on the xb. that is the only difference, everything elts is the same.

its not the size of the rim that makes a difference its the aspect ratio of the side wall. the bigger the side wall the more air and rubber you are putting bettween your car and the road.

so...... if you run a 15 you will have a side wall around 50 - 65, = soft.
if you use a 18 you will have a side wall around 30 - 35, = a tad rough.

you cant run a 65 side wall on a 18 on your bax, it will not fit.

SOOOOOOOOOOOOOO, yes running a 18 on you box will lower the "ride quality"

well i take that back you could always do this

 

Although that is not my particular cup of tea, mad props for the effort and individual styling to whomever did that with their box. About the sidewall on the tire making it stiffer...are there tires that are "softer" than others but with the same size sidewall?

-Chris

 

i don't think so.
most tire compainies are interested in going the opposit direction.
like useing kevlar and carbon fiber to make the side wall stronger.

i don't think you could damage the struts (or anything elts) with a very stiff suspention.

 

You can by lessoning the travel on the OEM strut, which is what lowering springs are all about.

And you can also go with a super soft rubber compound which will have a softer side wall. Look for a real low Tread Wear Indicating Number on each tire. The higher the number, the longer life youll get out of the tire.

 

I see what your saying...it's like a trade off, softer compound = less life. The dilema that I had was, if you'd call it that, I like the stiff ride and all that however I didn't want to damage any parts of my car that I'd have to turn around a shell out a couple grand just to fix my mistakes. Been there and done that ya know.

If I change out my shocks and struts with aftermarket ones will there be less likelyhood of "catastrophic" failure? If thats the case then its just preventative maintenance IMO.

-Chris

 

i have had no problems with my set up, and i got the idea from another box owner that has benn running it problem free longer then me

 

did you install the struts yourself? How hard is it?

 

yah i did it my self.
im good with car so it wasn't hard at all.
honestly if you just take you time, don't rush, and pay close attention as to how stuff comes apart and put it back the same way, you have nothing to worry about.
my 8 year old sun could do, its easy.

 

bbscionxb (scion life member)
has the same shock/strut set up as me, this is who talked me into it. only diference is he has DF210 springs.

 

Well today is the first day I drove my ride hard since putting the springs on Sat. No popping and no noises, everything responded fine, so I guess I'm in the clear for now, still going to get tha strut/shock upgrade and a rear sway bar (never bought an aftermarket one, however from reading on forum it seems the way to go).

-Chris