Old shocks and struts are shot... going to TRD shocks/struts/springs + swaybar

[firebird1999us]

I've got a 2009 Yaris hatch with 351k miles (you read that right) and my stock stuff is understandably toast. I mostly do highway driving...

Per my research it looks like the TRD stuff all bolts right up with no modification. Also it looks like I can expect the car to lower about 1.5" in the back and maybe an inch or less in the front and even out the ride height while being stiffer and more planted. I was planning on an alignment after they settle.

So far as I can tell there is only one version of the TRD stuff available and the part numbers I came up with were:

PTR0452061 shocks and struts:
https://parts.mariettatoyota.com/p/TRD-Performance-Shocks-Shocks-and-Struts/69528680/PTR0452061.html

PTR1152070 lowering springs:
https://parts.mariettatoyota.com/p/TRD-Lowering-Springs-Performance-Springs/69528947/PTR1152070.html

PTR1152071 swaybar:
https://parts.mariettatoyota.com/p/TRD-Sway-Bar/69528949/PTR1152071.html

About the cheapest I've been able to find everything is locally to avoid $90+ in shipping... it looks like around $830 picking up from Marietta Toyota. I'm having it installed at a shop near my house and I'm not even sure what installation prices are at the moment although my mechanic is going to get me a quote Monday when they open.

Anything I'm missing? Anyone know of anywhere that is drastically cheaper but legit and not selling seconds or factory refurbs or something sketchy?

I'm planning on refreshing the appearance of the car as well and want to move to 16" wheels at my next tire change out - will this help me avoid looking like I'm driving a 4x4?

I'm somewhat intrigued by the Bilstein PSS14 coilover kit too:
https://www.autoanything.com/suspension-systems/bilstein-b14-pss-coilover-suspension-kit

[myfirstyota]

Save cash and do the rears and sway bar install yourself. Super simple. There's a write up here somewhere on how to do it. Otherwise, you'll be much happier with how the car handles. That rear sway bar works wonders.

[SirDigby]

wile you are replacing the front struts you might want to replace the upper bushings and bearings since the only way to replace them is to remove the struts. also, you might want to consider replacing lower control arms at the same time, just so you also have new lower bushings and ball joints too. maybe consider replacing inner/outer tie rods and end links to tighten up steering too.
it's just it's all connected and it's good to replace ALL components at the same time.

[myfirstyota]

wile you are replacing the front struts you might want to replace the upper bushings and bearings since the only way to replace them is to remove the struts. also, you might want to consider replacing lower control arms at the same time, just so you also have new lower bushings and ball joints too. maybe consider replacing inner/outer tie rods and end links to tighten up steering too.
it's just it's all connected and it's good to replace ALL components at the same time.

Very true. But for me I had to draw the line somewhere. While building my swap, the suspension got the semi royal treatment. Replaced all but strut bearings, top bushings, and tierod ends. Toyota wants $140 each for those top bushings here in canada and the tie rod ends are easy enough to do without taking everything apart.

I do agree though... Good idea to replace what you can while its all apart.

[GrayYaris]

Wow, very impressive odometer reading!

I have a good relationship with the one parts guy at a local Toyota dealer. You may want to shop around at different Toyota dealer parts departments over the phone. See if any of them can match the online price you found. Occasionally my dealer will give me parts at what I assume are commercial prices. I usually don't "haggle" with them, but if it's an expensive part and they know I won't buy it from them unless it's close to the price I can get online, they are understanding.

I would argue that the front struts are an easy job, once the strut assembly is assembled. I recall swapping mine in a 2-3 hours and that's with rusty CNY fasteners. I haven't done any suspension work on the back of my Yaris, but I would believe what others are saying about the sway bar, rear springs and shocks is true- It looks to be super easy to upgrade/swap.

[myfirstyota]

The fronts are easy for a backyard wrencher. The rears are easy for anyone who can change oil lol

[stidnam]

The hardest part about doing the fronts is chopping a 6mm hex tool down so you don't need to remove the front cowl and wiper setup. As mentioned, the rears are easy as and don't even require you to take the wheels off.

I've actually just pulled all the TRD shocks and Modellista springs out of my Yaris to replace them with a B12 Bilstein kit. I'd recommend you go that way as well. The Bilstein stuff, in my opinion, is better than the TRD gear, rebuildable, and costs waay less. The b12 kit comes with eibach springs as well and the ride is a nice compromise between coilovers and OEM. Don't be sucked in by the TRD branding!!!

[firebird1999us]

The hardest part about doing the fronts is chopping a 6mm hex tool down so you don't need to remove the front cowl and wiper setup. As mentioned, the rears are easy as and don't even require you to take the wheels off.

I've actually just pulled all the TRD shocks and Modellista springs out of my Yaris to replace them with a B12 Bilstein kit. I'd recommend you go that way as well. The Bilstein stuff, in my opinion, is better than the TRD gear, rebuildable, and costs waay less. The b12 kit comes with eibach springs as well and the ride is a nice compromise between coilovers and OEM. Don't be sucked in by the TRD branding!!!

Any input on this kit? I just stumbled across it...

https://www.autoanything.com/suspension-systems/bilstein-b14-pss-coilover-suspension-kit

[Leegamer]

Any input on this kit? I just stumbled across it...

https://www.autoanything.com/suspension-systems/bilstein-b14-pss-coilover-suspension-kit

Tire rack has the B14 kit for 753

https://www.tirerack.com/suspension/suspension.jsp?make=Bilstein&model=B14+%28PSS%29&group=PSS+Coil-Over+Kit&partNum=47-237834&autoMake=Toyota&autoModel=Yaris+Hatchback&autoYear=2008&autoModClar=

[firebird1999us]

Tire rack has the B14 kit for 753

https://www.tirerack.com/suspension/suspension.jsp?make=Bilstein&model=B14+%28PSS%29&group=PSS+Coil-Over+Kit&partNum=47-237834&autoMake=Toyota&autoModel=Yaris+Hatchback&autoYear=2008&autoModClar=

Not in stock/back ordered though... so are these full on coil overs? I just buy the kit and that replaces everything and is height adjustable from what I can tell?

https://www.bilstein.com/us/en/product-search-detail/?ItemId=6021881066189805580&YearId=8425481193140283355&MakeId=7454064176280826758&ModelId=8127115997312064126&SubModelId=78192055976998175

[firebird1999us]

wile you are replacing the front struts you might want to replace the upper bushings and bearings since the only way to replace them is to remove the struts. also, you might want to consider replacing lower control arms at the same time, just so you also have new lower bushings and ball joints too. maybe consider replacing inner/outer tie rods and end links to tighten up steering too.
it's just it's all connected and it's good to replace ALL components at the same time.

do you have a part number for the upper bearings and bushings/lower bushings and ball joints?

[Leegamer]

Didn't even notice they were out of stock, my bad. I believe it's a full kit.

[firebird1999us]

Didn't even notice they were out of stock, my bad. I believe it's a full kit.

I do trust ordering fro tire rack a lot more thought! I called the local NTB to see if they can get them in and do an install... that way everything would be warrantied (install and parts) per the manager I just talked to there.

[Leegamer]

I do trust ordering fro tire rack a lot more thought! I called the local NTB to see if they can get them in and do an install... that way everything would be warrantied (install and parts) per the manager I just talked to there.

That would be awesome and a great idea. I love tirerack and have ordered all my tires for several cars from there for the past 5-6 years and have nothing bad to say about their customer service. Fantastic company.

[stidnam]

Any input on this kit? I just stumbled across it...

https://www.autoanything.com/suspension-systems/bilstein-b14-pss-coilover-suspension-kit

I was tossing up between this kit and the B12 kit. For me it was actually going to be $100 cheaper to import the B14 kit from the UK, but I went the B12s because my Yaris is a daily and I thought they'd be more child friendly. They've met expectations so far and I'm a happy camper, hence my recommendation.

[firebird1999us]

I'm going to call Bilstein direct today... I spoke with a the manager at a local NTB and he said he was unable to get the kit from any of his warehouses.

[firebird1999us]

I spoke with Bilstein directly and they said they have several kits shipping in now that will be available in the next 2 weeks. That said - in the humble opinion of this forum is the b14 kit a better option than the TRD stuff. The rep I spoke with said that while it's not a true coil over kit it is adjustable to about 1.5 inches.

Just the TRD shocks and springs amount to $630... The Bilstein stuff works out to about $805 from tire rack (where it will be available shortly). That's about the max I want to spend given other stuff that I'm going to have to replace too.

So what's my best option of the two?

[Leegamer]

Is the extra adjust ability worth the extra 185 dollars? I would think so, but then again for a few hundred dollars more you can go up to full coilover setup. I don't have experience with either set. Do you know the spring rates for each setup?

[stidnam]

The Bilstein coilovers just have the adjustable sleeves and no adjustability in the rebound, which is ok but they aren't going to compete with your higher end coilovers in that regard.

The b12 kit is more comparable to the TRD kit. I think I saw somewhere that eibach make the springs for the TRD kit as well? Fact check that though. Not sure what you can get the b12 kit for though? At the end of the day, go for what's in your budget.

[firebird1999us]

The Bilstein coilovers just have the adjustable sleeves and no adjustability in the rebound, which is ok but they aren't going to compete with your higher end coilovers in that regard.

The b12 kit is more comparable to the TRD kit. I think I saw somewhere that eibach make the springs for the TRD kit as well? Fact check that though. Not sure what you can get the b12 kit for though? At the end of the day, go for what's in your budget.

Well one thing that occurred to me is I should probably just go with the TRD stuff due to sheer availability. The Bilstein rep was super informative and they no doubt make an excellent product - but I don't know if it's worth the effort to get what amounts to a hybrid kit that I may not be able to source parts for in a bind. And it's not like I'm using the car at the track. I just want to replace the old stuff with something that's an upgrade, be able to drop the car to accommodate 16" rims without looking like a 4x4, and have improved handling. Plus the TRD stuff is cheaper... So I'm leaning back towards that. May order parts today for install next week!

[Type-Y]

Not sure how they compare to the Bilstiens, but take a look at the Tein Street Advance Z coilovers. Not true coilovers in the rear, but they are height adjustable and you can adjust the damping. Cost approx. $573.00.