Installing the other half of the handling improvement plan -- mild lowering springs
Swaybar endlink disconnected
Big ole fat bolts
These nuts are threaded on the shock piston, which is free to rotate, so you have to hold it still with an allen wrench while breaking it loose. These were a pain to remove until I went out and bought the appropriate tool -- an offset box wrench
Strut removed
Vacuous
Ready to install the replacement springs, Tanabe NF210's
Spring compressed with the spring compressor
New spring installed, but it fits funny
It's only the rubber boot, but that doesn't look right. "Of course, these springs are meant for a Yaris. Maybe the boot is different," I ruminate
It seems to go in fine...
Front of car reassembled
Front of car back on the ground. Not pictured: Rear of car jacked up and rear suspension removed, then realizing that the new springs I put in the front look an awful lot like the stock rear springs... Doh
Front suspension removed again. This definitely doesn't look right
Installed the other two springs instead. THAT'S how it's supposed to fit.
Front suspension RE-reinstalled
Removing rear springs
Yeah, those look a lot more like the rear springs
New rear spring installed
Both springs installed
Those rear drum brakes sure don't look very awesome
Before
After