how easy is it to install the springs on the xa? i just called my local toyota and they want $773.00 labor just to install 4 springs and an alignment. yike!

 

your kidding right?! thats crazy!!!!!!! springs aren't that hard to install. the back ones will take you like 5-10 minutes and the front are a lil bit more of a pain, but not $700 worth of pain ^_^

 

very easy

and if you do springs only. you will not need an alignment

 

It is easy but you do need some descent tools and some mechanical knowledge. If the biggest job you have done is change the oil a time or two it may be a big step. There are some good threads on here that describe the process. Read them a couple times until you know the procedure. Look at the pictrures. If you have big doubts butr want to do it anyway, start when you have enough time for a problem. I would think you could certainly get it done for $200 at a independent tire shop/garage that does ssuspension work. Take the thread instructions to them too.

Many will say you do not need a strut spring compressor, but it will make the job a little easier. They are free to borrow at Auto Zone or Advance with a small deposit.

You may get by without and alignment but when you take suspension apart it will not go back exactly as before and the cost of the alignment is not much when you have got a bad wear pattern started and eaten up a tire prematurely. I did my springs and got the alignment about two days later. It was off a little but may have ben that way before the springs. Who knows? Just cheap insurance.

 

it was a very easy install. sadly, i don't know how to change my oil...but i've gotten by. i've installed my injen CAI (now short ram), my DC exhaust, TRD shortshifter and now Goldline springs. and my alignment is fine, everytime i've taken the car into the dealership to change my oil, they are surprised to see how well my installs were done. honestly, i just give the cred to the people here on SL because this is where i've learned how to do these mods.

it took about 2 hours for the whole thing for me because i'm not very strong. just imagine a 110 pound guy trying to get a nut loose that's supposed to be tightened at over 100 ft lbs. without a breaker bar.

remember, you'll need a second person or more. it makes the install MUCH easier.

 

nope. i talked to jack taylor toyota in crystal city, arlington va (5 miles from the White House) on the price. i told them i have 4 trd springs for an '05 scion xa ordered from their part dept and jsut wanted to know the cost of installing them. he typed in his computer and said it'd cost 773.00. i almost floored and emphasized that i already have the springs. he said yup, labor is 773.00.

 

get an alignment.

 

I just did the springs on my car yesterday on my lunch break. Took me a little over an hour. If all you are using is the TRD springs (im assuming this is what you have since you ordered them from toyota), then you def. shouldnt need an alignment. If you want to drive to MA i will get them installed for you for about 600 dollars less
...anyways, check out what my car looked like after i was done (the new pics on page 4)
http://xatuner.com/board/viewtopic.p...er=asc&start=0

 

wow that's sweeeet. i like the underglow. how big are you wheels? and did you have any special tools to install the springs?

 

All of the bolt holes have a small amount of slop in them. Whos to say you are going to get them exactly lined up like Scion did when they put it together.
whatever, its your tires.

 

i've lowered more than 40 scions. not as many as you randy but i aligned mine after i lowered it the first time and all specs were in green.

so i advise all my clients not to.

and none have had adverse tire wear. some of them have more than 35k on their cars since I lowered em .

if you do coilovers i'd advise alignment.

i know after I installed mine I was all messed up.


but after changing my suspension setup about 10 times. alignment was only in the red once.

 

thanks ecandlcubed, my wheels are 17" enkies. they came as part of the rs1 package. As for special tools, the only tool i used which your not going to have is a wall mounted spring compressor to remove them from the stock front struts. If you are reusing you stock front struts you wont have to compress the spring to get the top back on due to the difference in size of the new springs. they just slide right in and evrything bolts bak together.

 

i have a good question for those of you that know what you're doing.

i installed goldlines on my xA, but i didn't cut the bump stop on the stock struts. i get some kind of knocking noise when i go through parkinglots that are very uneven, is that sound basically me bottoming out? would cutting the bump stops help that?

honestly, now that i think of it. i don't even remember seeing bump stops. but i was installing them in a poor lit area at 8pm in the dark.

 

knocking isn't bumpstops. make sure the "big nut" up top is tightened all the way.

 

...and make sure you tightened the 3 12mm holding the front struts in place all the way, there a little hard to get the rears.

 

if you know what your doing you don't even remove those ones

 

lol i know your trick.