Mbenz528i

Lowering Springs, here we come!

Yang1815

iTrader: (1)

they already have springs for the RWD no matter the engine you have.

MKIV98TT

iTrader: (5)

UPDATE - I received a call from Tanabe on Tuesday. Here's the thing....I have already installed the RWD springs on my 2007 GS350 AWD. It sounds like they don't want to use my car for R & D now. What doesn't make sense is that I'm using Tanabe springs! Why wouldn’t they want to see and test how their existing springs function??!! Especially since I have the ONLY AWD within 1000 miles (i think) that is willing to do some testing. As you can see from my posts in the past I've been more than willing to help find a solution for over a year. At first I was begging for help, now I'm so tired of getting the run around that it's not even worth it anymore. Am I overreacting???

BKE420

^^Okay so much for....."the ball is in our court now"....Looks like Tanabe has put all of the AWD members back to lovely square #1. This is getting so old.

No...I don't think you're overreacting. Tanabe is not reacting quick enough!!

08BLACKOUT

Iowa here, just thought I would offer out, I have an 08 Black new last week

Evel

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MKIV98TT,

Man your update really put a damper on my day. I signed onto the forum today expecting to see a positive update from you that testing was underway. At the least, Tanabe in their orignal memo could have stated they preferred a GS AWD model with stock springs only. I am by no means a skilled auto grease monkey, so I can only guess that they wanted to install the springs themselves for a clean reference point on evaluating the data on the back end. Perhaps they don't want to base their evaluations on springs installed by someone else & fear (I am only speculating) changes may have already occurred to your tires &/or other suspension parts since the installation that could possibly corrupt their analysis data. Again, I am only speculating what their reasoning may be to turn you down. Bottom line, it SUCKS!!!

nardeezy

This R&D test would make sense if Tanabe is going to develop a coilover or shock/strut setup for the AWD models. Particularly, for the front suspension.

To be honest, I think that the Tanabe lowering springs specifcations of the DF/NF series for an AWD would be exactly the same as the GS RWD versions. The overall vehicle weight and weight distribution of the GS is not significantly different among the differnet trim levels. The spring rates for the Tanabe aftermarket coil springs for the GS 300/430/350/460 are probably all the same. I believe that this R&D test may be just to verify that the NF/DF series springs will work on the AWD. Also, by experimenting with a car that has not been lowered they can probably measure the before and after dampening information better.

For some reason I highly doubt that Tanabe will manufacture a coilover/shock setup for the AWD version. I don't think there's enough of an AWD market to profit from manufacturing the different front suspension components.

Evel

Nardeezy,

We are in agreement on why Tanabe wants an untouched car to experiement with, but I disagree with your "not enough profit" statement. I would bet a large number of new GS owners based in the North East & Mid-Atlantic states with dense population, like myself Northern Virginia/D.C. area, are driving AWD models, which the dealers stock in sufficient numbers. At any rate, does not look good for an official AWD solution from Tanabe or Tein anytime soon.

nardeezy

If the aftermarket companies knew there was a profit to be made they would've released a suspension set already. The overall design of the front suspension is totally different. To develop, test, manufacture and distribute just the front suspension may not be profitable for the aftermaket companies. The AWD GS has been on the market since late 2005 (same suspension design), and until now there is now aftermarket suspension spec'd for the AWD. If they thought there was going to be profit we would've seen an aftermarket set out by now. I wish that someone had something "market ready", but there's nothing even close.

spider_55

But from what I have read is that the RWD springs will work on the AWD; it just won't look ideal because the front will still sit a bit higher than the rear.

But others have installed the NF210's on an AWD GS without issues (or at least none reported). Others have reported vibrations but could not determine if it was related to their wheels being staggered or the drop. And wasn’t the vibration issue with the 2006 GS300’s, not 2007+ GS350’s?

nardeezy

I know for a fact that my vibration is due to the wheels. However, I'm not sure if it's because of the stagger. I've heard that the 2-piece iForged FS Aero wheels are prone to wheel vibration issues. Anyways, I rolled my car for over a month before I had my wheels installed and I did not have vibration issues during that time.

If putting the correct setup of staggered wheels and tires on the GS is so bad than how is it that a BMW X5 AWD 4.4i can roll with a staggered setup? I know it has to do with the initially design intent but the concept is still the same?

Yang1815

iTrader: (1)

You can put a set of staggered wheels on an AWD as long as the overall diameter is the same.

nardeezy

And that's exactly what I did. I did my research to make sure that I purchased the proper staggered wheel/tire combination to ensure that the overall rolling diameters will be the same. However, there are posters on this forum and on other forums who say that the AWD system will get damaged in the long run if a staggered setup is used. I can understand from a performance standpoint that a staggered setup on an AWD is not ideal but if you can maintain the proper staggered wheel/tire combination (for looks only), why is it bad and what exactly can happen?

I love the way our car looks. I wish it had more power but I'm okay with the 245hp. Other than vibrations due to improperly balanced wheels/tires and the iforged aero's, I think my car drives and performs just fine for what it is. The only reason I would want to get rid of the car is in case a major powertrain issue arrises in the future due to the modified setup. Can someone logically explain how my staggered and lowered setup will damage the AWD powertrain during normal driving conditions and the vehicle being well maintained?

Evel

Tanabe USA,

Have you had any success finding a suitable volunteer? The one person who responded (that I know of) car did not meet the first requirement...as they had already installed a set of our NF or DF springs.

You will probably be hard pressed to find many GS AWD owners in (Southern?) CA, as most AWD owners, like myself, reside east of the Mississippi River, with higest concentration in the Mid-Atlantic & Northeast corridor states. If only you had affiliates along the east coast that could perform the tests per your specifications.

Us AWD owners need a (official) spring solution. HELP!

1989Lexus

^^ Amen to that bro... Im waiting and waiting... and waiting some more!