Lowering Springs or Rear Sway Bar?

Website · by **cydog3** » Tue Jun 22, 2004 12:38 pm

My lowering springs cost me 420 to have installed and 200 for the springs total 620 .I got it done at a trd recommended Toyota dealer.

go to
http://trdusa.com/DealerLocator.asp

They were cheaper because they do more of them and get training from TRD my local 5 min up the road toyota shop wanted 600 to install and 300 for the springs ...so I drove 30min and got it 180 cheaper on labor and 100 cheaper for the springs. Plus I would much rather have a trd dealer do it and its cheaper so its a win win

by **michaels artic frost** » Tue Jun 22, 2004 2:12 pm

Thanks cydog3, just called a local TRD and they're going to call me back with price quotes.

HOLLA!

by **whiteflash** » Tue Jun 22, 2004 2:29 pm

Lower it first if u cant afford both

by **bassthrive** » Tue Jun 22, 2004 2:55 pm

Where are you guys going to get your springs installed so cheap? Elaborate on "non-dealer" so maybe I can find a garage by me that will give me that great price.

- Paul

by **got sport** » Tue Jun 22, 2004 3:03 pm

Look for shops that sell aftermarket products like rims, exhausts, accessories. Call those places up and ask if they offer suspension installation services. Some tire service shops offer them as well.

Do a search on the Net for these kinds of places in the FL area, or ask around on this board, that's what I did and I got recommended to two different places.

These import car part shops won't gouge with you ridiculous labor prices like the Toyota dealers. Paying 5-10 times the price of the parts for labor at dealerships is outrageous. That's not worth getting the products, if you go that route.

by **slingshot** » Tue Jun 22, 2004 3:24 pm

I got quoted $86 by a Toyota dealer to install the RSB I got already from toyotaparts4u. How's that price from a dealer?

by **got sport** » Tue Jun 22, 2004 3:35 pm

$86 is a lot better than the quotes that I have seen from other dealerships.
I got mine installed for $40.

by **cptnkoolaid** » Tue Jun 22, 2004 3:43 pm

Thank you everyone for the great information. I think that because I have the 04 SLE I will just go with the RSB for now because I do not have the money for both springs and struts, and I want to do those both at the same time.

by **michaels artic frost** » Tue Jun 22, 2004 8:22 pm

I got in contact with a TRD certified servicer and they quoted me approx. $700, parts - $200 and labor - $500. It's till a bit high for me, but I've got warranty on my car until it reaches 75,000 miles. This is the only reason why I'm seeking a Toyota dealer to perform the work because voiding my suspension warranty is the last thing I want to do. Gonna have to save more monies.

Thanks for all the help fellow solara members.

-Michael

by **invdrgir** » Wed Jun 23, 2004 6:58 pm

got sport wrote:$86 is a lot better than the quotes that I have seen from other dealerships.
I got mine installed for $40.

hey got sport, it seems like you got one hell of a deal. i called a trd registered dealership and they said cost for parts for a rear sway bar would be $198 and instillation would be $200. is that considered alittle exorbant and should i look for other dealerships around me because it seems both you and slingshot seemed to either got a hell of a deal or is this dealership trying to rip me off

by **invdrgir** » Wed Jun 23, 2004 7:02 pm

oh also as a follow up question. if i can't a good price for installing the rear sway bar, is it possible to self install and is it a complicated process or relatively easy? if anyone knows anything about this please let me know.

thanks

by **slingshot** » Wed Jun 23, 2004 8:26 pm

invdrgir wrote:hey got sport, it seems like you got one hell of a deal. i called a trd registered dealership and they said cost for parts for a rear sway bar would be $198 and instillation would be $200. is that considered alittle exorbant and should i look for other dealerships around me because it seems both you and slingshot seemed to either got a hell of a deal or is this dealership trying to rip me off

I bought my RSB from Toyotaparts4u.com for only about $156 and I called a couple Toyota dealers and they both said one hour labor or $86-89 to install it. I don't see how any dealer can say more than one hour labor. The $198 price you got quoted is probably Dealer price so not too bad but the $200 installation is a total ripoff. Call more dealers or have a friend help you worstcase to install it.

by **slingshot** » Wed Jun 23, 2004 8:29 pm

invdrgir wrote:oh also as a follow up question. if i can't a good price for installing the rear sway bar, is it possible to self install and is it a complicated process or relatively easy? if anyone knows anything about this please let me know.

thanks

I got the instructions. You have to have the car raised initially to install it. Doesn't look all that hard but maybe a bit tricky. It's more complicated if you have a convertible. If you've never done anything with your car like me, you might want someone helping you or have someone experienced help out. I'll probably just go to a dealer to have less worry about warranty.

by **PhreakdOut** » Wed Jun 23, 2004 9:39 pm

I just bought an '04 SE Sport V-6 with the TRD springs installed. (Yes, I talked the dealer into adding them installed for $0 over the vehicle price.)

Anyway, it took a week for the dealer to get the springs so I got to enjoy the sloppy ride that came from the factory. Cornering was painful with the amount of body roll and the gap above the wheels made it look like a 4WD Solara.

After the spings were installed, the ride was much firmer. Cornering is awesome. The rake (stance) of the vehicle is perfect.

My only warning though: I notice some noise from the springs when turning. The upper mounts are tight and the bearing plate doesn't seem to be binding. No memory steering. I didn't notice if there was a rubber insulator between the spring seat and the spring on the factory setup or the new installation.

As for the TRD strut bar, I'm struggling with the concept that two smaller diameter rods, are stronger than the factory single strut bar. The TRD bar looks really cool, but I'd rather wait for the aftermarket to catch up with a carbon fiber single piece unit.

As for the TRD sway bar, I haven't gone that route yet. So far the ride and handling are where I like it. I'm afraid that if the ride gets too stiff that I will experience Wheel Skip on bumps while cornering.

by **invdrgir** » Thu Jun 24, 2004 7:47 pm

thanks for the info slingshot. i am definately gonna check out some other dealers to compare pricing. plus i just found a family friend who has worked for toyota and lexus for like 15-20 years so maybe i can get a discount or a better price from him or he can talk to any buddies still working for toyota to get a discount or something for the installation. hahaha now its time to just start calling and comparing.

again thanks for the info

Lowering Springs or Rear Sway Bar?

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