Lowering AE111 4age BT 1996 Carib BZ Touring - advice plz

[Dopamean]

Sounds good,

I do have the factory one fitted but I thought I read that someone had them in the front and rear making for nice handling and I would like the car to feel a bit more stiff but without breaking my back.

Thats why I was wanting to go with the TEIN low / softer spring.
Probably need to get a quote on some KYB's.

[Bling]

If you're still running average/old shocks, then yeah when you get springs you'd be best to get new shocks too and put them together. Then just swap the old struts out for the new ones. Saves taking the struts out a 2nd time etc.

[Dopamean]

OK quotes are in:

KYB $245 + gst per
Monroe $190 + gst
Or Toyota factor $150 per

So Toyota factory are best, I don't mind spending a little more but if the consensus is there the best ill jump on them

[Mr Revhead]

yeah KYB prices have skyrocketd recently
if you can afford it, got for the monroes (as long as they are GT Gas) thats what i have, stiffer than the stock toyota ones, and longer warranty too

[Evolva]

If you decide to go down the coilover road, take a look at my BC's that I have for sale. Cheers

[Dopamean]

Yay the car came out of Mt Roskill Panel and Paint and I'm happy with the work.

Car paint job looks mint.
TEIN springs have arrived in the post - same as your Mr Rev.
I did not get the guards rolled because I think I will not need to.

So that just leaves the shocks to buy.
I'm gona go with the recommended GT GAS Monroe's but can anyone point me to anywhere that’s cheaper than 190+gst?

Then I just need to get this tapping engine noise sorted Bazda?
Then she will be mint!

[Mr Revhead]

some with a trade account with autolign will get a good discount

[Bling]

Wait for the next buy 3 get a 4th shock free deal at supercheap?

[gmacrae]

remember to reset your suspension arms with the new springs in there. Loosen them all and re-tighten with the car sitting down on the new springs or the stock bushes will destroy themselves in a few months. Then go get the alignment done.

[Dopamean]

remember to reset your suspension arms with the new springs in there. Loosen them all and re-tighten with the car sitting down on the new springs or the stock bushes will destroy themselves in a few months. Then go get the alignment done.

So this process can be done all "same day", excuse my ignorance......

[Rob_GTZ]

So you should end up with a pile of parts looking something like this



Spent a couple of hours installing this lot earlier today.
First impressions are that it is a lot higher than it was before (see page 1), but hopefully the springs will settle slightly

[Mr Revhead]

sorry dude they won't settle any noticeable amount unless you did something very weird
that pic on page 1 looks pretty low

What year is your carib? any issues with the brake hose brackets?

[gmacrae]

remember to reset your suspension arms with the new springs in there. Loosen them all and re-tighten with the car sitting down on the new springs or the stock bushes will destroy themselves in a few months. Then go get the alignment done.

So this process can be done all "same day", excuse my ignorance......

Yea for sure, just will really need to be done on a drive-on hoist (like the alignment guy will have), or ramps. You might just be best to pay your alignment guy a few bucks extra to do it.

[Rob_GTZ]

sorry dude they won't settle any noticeable amount unless you did something very weird
that pic on page 1 looks pretty low

What year is your carib? any issues with the brake hose brackets?

Yeah i don't recall the tein springs i had previously on another car settling much actually. New springs are meant to be 12mm higher than RS*R ones i had before, looks more than that, but probably just because i'm so used to seeing it lower.

Mine is a 1998, No probs with brake hoses.

[Dopamean]

Mine is a 1998, No probs with brake hoses.

WTF.... will I have an issue mines a 1996?

Your photo made me lol rob, or I should say giggle with excitement
What are those strutmate thingys?
Because I have not got those..........

How does it feel on the road now?

[Crampy]

The strut mates are to stop dirt and other cr@p getting on his nice new shocks. Helps keep the seals in good condition.

[Mr Revhead]

they also incorporate new bump stops, I got slightly shorter stops when i did mine

no issue with the brakes hose's if you have the right shocks
toyota change their brackets in 97 i think it was.
when doing mine i had to twist the brake hose's around to line up.

[Bling]

New springs are meant to be 12mm higher than RS*R ones i had before, looks more than that, but probably just because i'm so used to seeing it lower.

Perhaps the RS*R springs have sagged over time. I know my king springs did in my KP starlet. Went from being captive to not captive over a couple years. In saying that the car did just sit around full of parts so its no surprise really.

[Dopamean]

@ Rob.

Post up comparision photos if you can be bothered
Can I ask what you paid for those, only reason I ask is so I don't pay too much!!!

PM me if you want.

[Bazda]

Yay the car came out of Mt Roskill Panel and Paint and I'm happy with the work.

Car paint job looks mint.
TEIN springs have arrived in the post - same as your Mr Rev.
I did not get the guards rolled because I think I will not need to.

So that just leaves the shocks to buy.
I'm gona go with the recommended GT GAS Monroe's but can anyone point me to anywhere that’s cheaper than 190+gst?

Then I just need to get this tapping engine noise sorted Bazda?
Then she will be mint!

I told you I cant check the tappet clearances unless the engine is dead cold.
I currently have zero time, best bet is to leave it with my dad at his workshop one day and he will check it once the engine is cold.

As for these springs, my mates carib had King superlows, it was pretty low and the 17" wheels with 205/40 tyres would rub over bumps.
We recently changed to the Tein ones, and its way higher, doesnt really look low at all now.