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