Questions about lowering my 2014 Toyota Corolla S

#1
So I have been contemplating lowering my Corolla. And doing some research about coilovers I've read in various forums that it isn't recommended to daily drive on racing coilovers. I called the local tire shop and the mechanic proceeded to explain that after you lower your car you cannot align it properly. You may wind up needing parts such as new control arms etc, etc. I also thought about new shocks and TRD lowering springs as my car is over 100k on the stock suspension. I just want to know what issues if any, any of you had using coilovers, or lowering springs. Was it an issue to get it aligned properly? Did you need extra parts? Trying to figure this out guys let me know!
 

euriel

New Member
#2
I have them installed on my 'rolla. Love them. TRD springs won't slam your car to the ground, but it will be low enough to remove the ugly wheel gap on the rear tires. TRD springs are geared towards improved turn-in. The lower the center of gravity, the greater the steadiness. By reducing the center of gravity about one inch, you'll get quicker turn-in, enhanced cornering and steering response on a variety of road surfaces.

If you're like me you want all Toyota Genuine parts on your car. They also are covered under warranty, and will never void your cars warranty. TRD Parts, Genuine Toyota Accessories, and Remanufactured Toyota parts have the same basic warranty as OEM replacement parts. In the case of Genuine Toyota Accessories, the warranty is for 12 months with no mileage limit. In the case of TRD parts, the warranty is basically identical to the OEM replacement part warranty.

For 11th gen corolla's the TRD lowering springs kit is PTR07-02140. It includes everything you'll need.
https://parts.olathetoyota.com/oem-parts/toyota-trd-lowering-springs-ptr0702140

I had mine installed at a local tire shop. You'll need an alignment after having them installed. If you install a TRD sway bar in the future, make sure to get an alignment again.
 

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euriel

New Member
#3
As far as aligning them properly, if you're doing it yourself follow the directions closely, if you hear any rubbing or grinding noise when you turn, they're not correctly installed or aligned. I did have this issue at first, I returned to the shop the next day where they corrected this issue by properly positioning them.


TRD Springs installation instructions: http://toyotaparts.sparkstoyota.com/install/PTR07-02140inst.pdf


TRD Product Catalog: http://www.trdusa.com/media/TRD_Digital_Catalog.pdf
 
#4
I went with 9th gen Tein S Tech Lowering springs. Only issue was I had to get the spring seats from a 9th gen rolla. Lowered the car a good 2.5"-3" all around. Got rid of the wheel gap and such. I made a thread on toyotanation.com. Check it out a lot of the members there posted up pics with the springs they used so you can use them as a good reference.
@euriel I am with you on the warranty thing. I have no problems doing repairs and such so I went a different route but for people who do not have access or the funds readily available for repairs, then that is the best bet.

http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/3...cion-im-2016/908714-lowering-master-list.html
 
#7
I've been down the extreme suspension rode in the past. If your corolla feels as good as mine does stock, don't touch the springs and struts. It could benefit from some good sway bars... Something more along the lines of whiteline or Cusco... Trd is going to be a compromise of what can be fully achieved.
The stock dampers on my 2014 L out perform everything my buddy and I have vetted on our course. I can provide a semi complete list, I am sure I can't remember everything. Basic range I guess is sti inverted struts and stock spring. Ground control coils on gr2s 16way adjustable coilovers and adjustable swaybars. Bmw 550 stock suspension. Porsche 944, Lexus sc400, mk4 Jetta, anything Subaru... Etc. The corolla handles so well out of the box we can't believe it. The damper rate is spot on. It is super flat through hard corners and you do even feel any kick back from the rough bumps. That's one of out main tests, a high speed right hander with a mid Apex bump. It often makes a poor suspension set up feel... Lively. Not something you want to hammer in your mk1 mr2. Blasted the Rolla through and felt nothing. It out performs the BMW. I know you all want to lower for some looks but I would recommend talking to a true specialist who can actually match a spring. Teins and trds are just going to end up spoiling what is ultimately one of the best factory suspension set ups I have gotten to try. I am looking forward to doing some autoxing. The previous owner already tracked it a few times on the stock suspension. This is extreme praise. Do not ruin your car.. it is an actually amazing set up.
 
#8
There is something there, you're right. I recently got clipped by a large SUV while passing him and MoFo sped up and clipped my rear bumper while I was passing him and changing lanes (no damage just a scratch not really visible) but my 15 corolla LE premium with drum brakes in the rear fish tailed pretty bad where at the time I was going 60mph straight into a concrete median when my stability control kicked in and honest to God I've never experienced anything like this. I mean I slide around in snow and ESC kicks in when tail gets lose especially with winter tires on fronts only, but this was different. I could feel the computers saving my life or car to say the least. If it wasn't for the ESC and my stock suspension, stock everything, the car would be totaled. The electronic help straightened the car by applying the right brakes at the right time without me doing a thing. I may have counter steered a bit but if this was a car from 10 years ago I would be done. Since this incident I realized that this is a damn safe car, I was amazed.
 
#9
I've been down the extreme suspension rode in the past. If your corolla feels as good as mine does stock, don't touch the springs and struts. It could benefit from some good sway bars... Something more along the lines of whiteline or Cusco... Trd is going to be a compromise of what can be fully achieved.
The stock dampers on my 2014 L out perform everything my buddy and I have vetted on our course. I can provide a semi complete list, I am sure I can't remember everything. Basic range I guess is sti inverted struts and stock spring. Ground control coils on gr2s 16way adjustable coilovers and adjustable swaybars. Bmw 550 stock suspension. Porsche 944, Lexus sc400, mk4 Jetta, anything Subaru... Etc. The corolla handles so well out of the box we can't believe it. The damper rate is spot on. It is super flat through hard corners and you do even feel any kick back from the rough bumps. That's one of out main tests, a high speed right hander with a mid Apex bump. It often makes a poor suspension set up feel... Lively. Not something you want to hammer in your mk1 mr2. Blasted the Rolla through and felt nothing. It out performs the BMW. I know you all want to lower for some looks but I would recommend talking to a true specialist who can actually match a spring. Teins and trds are just going to end up spoiling what is ultimately one of the best factory suspension set ups I have gotten to try. I am looking forward to doing some autoxing. The previous owner already tracked it a few times on the stock suspension. This is extreme praise. Do not ruin your car.. it is an actually amazing set up.
I actually called up the Toyota dealer and talk to one of the mechanics there and he recommended Eibach pro-kit springs on the stock struts.
 
#11
I have them installed on my 'rolla. Love them. TRD springs won't slam your car to the ground, but it will be low enough to remove the ugly wheel gap on the rear tires. TRD springs are geared towards improved turn-in. The lower the center of gravity, the greater the steadiness. By reducing the center of gravity about one inch, you'll get quicker turn-in, enhanced cornering and steering response on a variety of road surfaces.

If you're like me you want all Toyota Genuine parts on your car. ...
How much did the TRD springs lower the car? I've read 0.5" front and 1.5" rear. I'll be lowering my 11th using TRD and doesn't want the front to change much.
 
#13
Old thread I know but does anyone have an answer on the question above?^^^
I actually just went to an NTB this morning to get an alignment this morning after lowering my car more, they can adjust to and that's about it. Luckily I measured very carefully when making my adjustments and my camber and caster are at the same points. -2.5 degrees of camber, I don't remember the caster. I've got an adjustable camber plate, and there is some kind of camber level out there, so I'm just gonna do the camber myself from the adjustable plates. I'm not that concerned -2.5 I can live with for a while
 
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