bimori

I'm considering lowering my AWD, but i have lots of questions:

I see a lot of people complain about AWD vibrating when idle without a drop. I don't think my car vibrates, but then again maybe i just do not notice it.

I've also seen different people have different result from lowering with different springs and all different rim sizes.

Here are my questions - I currently have 18" rims all rounds

1. Is their anyone that's dropped their AWD without a "wobble" or "vibration"
2. Reading all these posts about issues after lowering, One thing i notices was people didn't specify how low their cars were dropped. Do springs automatically limit how low one can drop or there are options.
3. How low can you drop and still retain a cushioned ride? 1"? 2"? I understand that once you lower, the ride becomes "harsher". I dont want to feel every bump or stone that i go over, so would a 1-2" drop even be worth it? Would i lose a lot of the ride comfort?
4.Those who have lowered, whats the avg price range to do the job?

Any answers are appreciated.

arnieosp

iTrader: (1)

I lowered my '08 AWD using the F-Sport springs. The drop was about 1 inch all around. The car does not have the "slammed look", and that was not my goal to begin with. All I wanted was to get rid of the "4x4" stance, which was accomplished by lowering the car about 1 inch.

As far as vibration, mine is very minor and after a few months I don't even feel it. Keep in mind, the lower you go, the more it vibrates, there is no cure for it.

I paid around $220 for the springs and my buddy, who is a mechanic at a local non-Lexus dealer, charged me $150 for the installation and alignment.

The ride is slightly stiffer, but the body roll is no longer there. I am pretty happy.

IXI187IXI

iTrader: (3)

1) yes there are a few, check the suspension forum for the awd thread. keep in mind these are all subjective to the person.

2) yes springs limit how low you go as far as they only come to a set height. theres different springs that lower the car more and theres some that only lower the car 1"

3) my car is lowered about 3" or so and its comfortable still. i also have coilovers so i have the ability to adjust the dampening to get a smoother ride.

4) average range for what? cost to install or total? for install it should be about 50-60 bucks a corner. thats for either springs for coils.

bimori

Thanks guys. Keep them coming. One more question, what is the difference between The F springs and the coil overs?? Sorry if this is a stupid question.

msgs350

iTrader: (2)

I've got a 07 GS AWD lowered on Tanabe DF210 (2" drop appx.) on stock struts. My buddy did the job for $225, cheap for Seattle area shop.

The ride is a little bouncy, and it vibrates at idle and wobbles a little bit whether I'm on stock 18"s or staggered 20's. And yes I've got an alignment done. Overall, not bad since i knew what I was getting myself into.

bimori

Thanks msgs350, can you or anyone describe this "vibrations" or "wobble"

BinaryJay

Learn to love the 4x4ness. You can park over park stops without worry about tearing your bumpers off, you can drive over snowbanks when street parking, you can park over a curb in an emergency, you can drive over speed bumps without slowing to a crawl. You can hit those huge potholes, say "frack!", and then keep driving because likely all pieces of your car are still attached. It's awesome, really!

IXI187IXI

iTrader: (3)

your struts are about to blow

it feels exactly how it sounds. like i said, its all subjective to the person so you'll always get a different answer. your best bet is to read the thread in the suspension forum

msgs350

iTrader: (2)

thanks for the heads up! car has 51K...is it about that time? I've only been lowered about 1.5 months.



187 is right on.... vibration description depends on how crucial you want to be about it. I don't m ind it...although when my niece drove my car she noticed it.

IXI187IXI

iTrader: (3)

it really depends. theres no saying when a strut will go but putting lowering springs on stock struts does decrease the life of the strut. usually when the car starts to get bouncy, thats a good way to tell that a strut is about to go. is the whole car bouncy or just one corner? has it always been this way since day 1 when you lowered the car or did you just start to notice it being bouncy?

msgs350

iTrader: (2)

Its just a little bouncy when i hit a bump all around. It started when i lowered the car, so i thought it was the springs. The car was solid before lowering.

bimori

So the cheapest quote I've gotten to install the springs is $425 + $12 alignment..reasonable?
The stealership wanted $893 another independent tech wanted $800

msgs350

iTrader: (2)

$425 is kind of steep, but $12 alignment is CHEAP!

if i HAD to pay $425..... i guess i would. Have you asked other members in your area?

IXI187IXI

iTrader: (3)

something is wrong with that, id ask them what type of alignment they are doing. alignment is usually atleast 100 bucks. if they do a proper alignment then i would say thats not a bad price considering you would pay like 250-300 for spring install plus 100-150 for an alignment.

bimori

sorry that was actually a typo, it was $425 to install springs then $125 for alignment thats $550 total.