X(RS) Files

So after some digging, seems like this vibration is common with cheap replacement axles. I was able to pinpoint the vibration, most prevalently in 2nd-3rd-4th gears 35-55mph, with a bit on the highway around 75mph.

OEM axles were about $450, so that was a non starter. I ended up ordering a pair of NAPA Max Drive axles (remans) built for NAPA by Cardone. 

These were about $120 plus core vs the $45 I paid for the Surtrack axles. 

Went about swapping them in today, once the Surtracks were out, I laid them side by side with the ild OEM piece, the passenger  Surtrack shaft measures about 8-9mm smaller in diameter than oem, the drivers about 4-5mm smaller...I'd hazard to guess the smaller shafts probably are more susceptible to vibration along with likely other shortcomings in quality. In the 250 miles they were in the car, there was already noticeably play in the joints...they will be returned...

OEM axles on bottom:

TLDR: New cheapo axles vibrate a lot, NAPA reman. axles fixed the vibration....the rock also boned me by sending the wrong axles seals and I left the originals in place. Axle swap #1 resulted in no leaks, i don't believe I'm that lucky on axle swap #2. I will have to see which is weeping and order a Toyota seal. 

So I've since swapped in new axles seals and put that fun to bed. 

A few posts up I noted that I wasn't pleased with the Tein S-Tech springs ride quality (or raked ride height)  You felt basically every pebble in the road and they were quite Jarring on bigger impacts. This is my second expreince like this with a Tein product, never again. 

Originally, I had installed Tein S-techs and Koni STR.T Struts from a corolla. I replaced then replaced the Koni's with Sachs Super Touring struts to remedy the rough ride, no demonstrable improvment after riding on them for a few months. 

I then ordered 2nd gen matrix TRD springs since the online Matix community claimed they fit the 1g matrix. The front spring was about 2-3" shorter that the front Tein spring and would not provide any spring preload at full damper extension. Not sure how anyone would think this is okay but it was certainly not something I wanted. 

Next up was a purchase of 03-08 Matrix H&R Sport spring kit from Tirerack, as you can see in the below, the front springs are again much too short and are not loading the spring hat properly. 

As a last ditch effort to keep the ride height sporty and improve the ride quality, I ordered a set of springs from Vogtland. After a few weeks they came straight from Germany. 

Comparing the Vogtland and H&R front springs and then the Tein S-tech vs Vogtland: 

Also observed  the rear tein s-techs at full droop, clearly too short and no proper preload allowing the springs to full unsettle,  its possible they sagged after 10K miles:

Installed the Vogtlands with no hiccups, springs fit great! Also swapped in some new oem strut bellows: 

Proper spring length at full droop:

All back on its feet, no more weird rake, overall initial driving impressions, the car feels MUCH better! Smaller road defects and suspension impacts are much softer, while still providing a firm responsive feel. My back can breath a sigh of relief and i can put this chapter behind me. 

Only bits left to solve for this puppy are replacing the manifold exhaust donut with the OEM seal I now have, and cleaning my OCV filters which just provided me with a new CEL. 

In reply to Ironsides :

I thought I was the only one who hated Tein anything. A between a couple of different RX-7's I've been in and a MS3 I drove with them, the best I could call them is spine shattering.

I'll keep the axle thing in mind if I ever need to go there.

People claim that they make nice products, and some of the upper teir stuff is suppose to be really well built.

But in my experience (Tein basic coilovers on my probe GT and these S.Tech springs) I have never experienced a more harsh ride.