Rear Spring Possibilities?

jammin1911 · Post by **jammin1911** » Fri Dec 22, 2006 2:12 pm

Now I realize that this is a difficult topic with these cars. I've spoken to Toyota, NAPA, CarQuest, Summit Racing, Eibach, KYB, Moog, and probably more and nobody has a rear spring listed for these cars.

Without altering or cutting anything (that is a last resort, I don't like that sort of thing particularly) what are my option?

I've read somewhere that our cars use the same rear end as the ae86 corolla - if this is the case, why aren't we using rear corolla springs?? Maybe someone can clarify that one for me.

Additionally, I'd just really like to find a solution for the rear because this is driving me nuts!

Thanks,

John

Typrus · Post by **Typrus** » Fri Dec 22, 2006 4:36 pm

The Corolla sits lower. The Corolla that has the same rear is a Sedan so isn't meant to take the Wagons weight. Lower spring rate.

I believe thats why.

What I'm contemplating doing is replacing the fronts with OEM style and cutting some Grand Cherokee rear springs to be short enough for the back to sit either level or with a slight rake.

Why the Jeep springs in the back but not front? Well, a higher spring rate spring typically has a less comfortable ride, so putting it up front would compromise my ride comfort, and considering I'm thinking about either maintaining stock or sinking her an inch or so, stock might be best. Either that or those Eibach's shogun was talking about. The higher spring rate in the rear for a few reasons. For one, I can get a slightly more aggressive rake if I so please. Also, with the higher spring rate, I can put a load in the back and not experience as much sagging. Sagging=ugly and obnoxious. Also, a higher spring rate in the rear isn't going to hurt comfort as much. I hope.

Speaking of which.... How does one cut a coil spring without collapsing it from the heat?

Mac · Post by **Mac** » Fri Dec 22, 2006 9:11 pm

I'm going to go with some Eibach's for an AE-86 corolla. I've never heard if they will fit for sure, But i'm sure they will.

Typrus · Post by **Typrus** » Fri Dec 22, 2006 10:28 pm

You'll probably get a bit of a lowering. Well, considering spring-sag, I dunno how much it'd change. Let us know!

Post by **ARCHINSTL** » Sat Dec 23, 2006 11:37 am

Maybe this has been answered before as well - but - I could not find it.
Autozone (and others as well) do not show our rear springs, but do show rear springs for the RWD Corolla Wagon, in addition to the Corolla Sedan. Wouldn't the Cor Wagon springs be similar to ours in terms of supportive ability?
Tom M.

Mickey_D · Post by **Mickey_D** » Sat Dec 23, 2006 12:45 pm

Typrus wrote:Speaking of which.... How does one cut a coil spring without collapsing it from the heat?

VERY high gas flow rate. Either that or quite a while with an angle grinder....

jammin1911 · Post by **jammin1911** » Sat Dec 23, 2006 1:31 pm

why not just use a zip disk and be done with it in about 15 seconds? they cost about 4 bucks each and you'll have some left over when you're done 2 springs

all you need is an angle grinder to use them.. not sure where to find them in the US but Canadian Tire sells them

jammin1911 · Post by **jammin1911** » Sat Dec 23, 2006 1:32 pm

Mac wrote:I'm going to go with some Eibach's for an AE-86 corolla. I've never heard if they will fit for sure, But i'm sure they will.

When do you plan on doing this? Also, PLEASE post your results here because I really wanna find a solution for this

jammin1911 · Post by **jammin1911** » Sat Dec 23, 2006 1:43 pm

Alright, So i'm just doing a bit of research here trying to find other solutions.

I noticed that on the summitracing site the 1996 - 2000 Toyota RAV4 uses the SAME rear KYB Gas-A-Just shocks as an sr5 wagon 4x4.

summit doesnt seem to offer anything other than a set of 4 lowering springs for the rav4 but maybe you guys know somewhere else we can check for oem replacement rear rav4 springs?

Typrus · Post by **Typrus** » Sat Dec 23, 2006 2:10 pm

Just because it has the same shocks doesn't mean it has the same springs unfortunatly. I wish it was that easy. Though I can't necessarily say that it doesn't. If I was going to my Uncle's this year for Christmas I could look, but unfortunatly due to some adverse family circumstances, thats not happening.

jammin1911 · Post by **jammin1911** » Sun Dec 24, 2006 11:54 am

well, not the SAME springs, but at least they'll fit in those shocks without problem, no?

as long as they arent shorter causing the car to be lower..... if the back end gets lifted up a couple of inches I wouldnt care

am i missing something else here maybe??

Typrus · Post by **Typrus** » Sun Dec 24, 2006 1:42 pm

.... This is just a reference shot of the size difference between factory and Monroe's, but you can see how the spring is seperated.

Spring size could be completely independant of shock size. Its all in mounting location. And considering that I think the RAV4 has independant rear, its quite possible that the springs are very different. I really can't say definitively offhand though.

takza · Post by **takza** » Mon Dec 25, 2006 4:04 am

Typrus wrote:Speaking of which.... How does one cut a coil spring without collapsing it from the heat?

They fire up a cutting torch? Acetylene and extra O2. Steel burns.

keith · Post by **keith** » Mon Dec 25, 2006 7:39 am

Cutting a spring, chop saw. Not only is the heat localized, you can cut at an angle so it fits the mount without digging in. Second choice, plasma torch.

shogun · Post by **shogun** » Tue Dec 26, 2006 10:16 am

i currently run old school supra springs on mine, and they stiffen a little bit the ride, also im trying the junker option, take your springs out and go look for some that have basicaly the same diameter and biger thickness in the coil wire and you are done, cut to the size wanted and presto