Gen4 DIY strut/spring install and removal?

[datnguyen24]

Does anyone have a DIY for the Gen 4 install and removal? I am going to change my stock springs and blow shocks. Brought some Tokico Blues and H&R and was wondering is anyone has a DIY for the install. Or should I just take it out to pepboys or something? I know I need to realign after the install. Thanks.

[bigbird]

i dont think there is a DIY for a spring/strut replacement.

i would advise doing it yourself since a shop will charge a alot of money to do it. its not hard, just time consuming. but ull need a Haynes or related manual, spring compressors, advise using a breaker bar, an assortment of sockets and wrenches. it would also be good to use a jack and kack stands but i have done this twice using the factory jack, but do so at your own risk.

if you replacing these parts you may also want to consider replacing the strut mounts and boots.

[Undertow]

Like Bigbird said, it is a smart idea to replace the strut mounts. The one thing that can be difficult (and a little dangerous) to do is compressing the spring to put on the strut. Most everything else is knowing which bolts and nuts to remove and where they are located. I would also advise using WD-40 or equivalent to prep all the bolts and nuts before removal, it makes things a lot easier to remove. When I did mine I had to buy a new sway bar link because the connection to the strut was too rusted and stripped.

[datnguyen24]

I brought the Tokico Blues and Red H&R springs from a member here on toyotanation. The springs are already attached to the struts and should arrive tomorrow all assembled. All I would have to do it directly bolt it on right? Sucks I wish I lived near someone who had a Camry they modded. haha. Yeah I called my local toyota dealer and they quoted me almost $600 in labor alone and thats if I brought my own shocks and springs. Do you usually torque the 3 top nuts under the hood? My brother in law has an impact gun and compressor but those suborn nuts are hard to take off so i'll invest in a breaker bar as well. Thanks guys if you have anymore tips that would be great.

[datnguyen24]

Oh I almost forgot is the rear hard to tackle? I didn't get a chance to take a look at the rears yet. How do I go about taking it off? remove the seats? or trunk?

[ASG14]

DIY: Gen 3 front struts

Should be almost the same for you.

[samarai912]

tHATS a really helpful tread. you should invest in some new stabalizer bar links. beat they'll strip when you take 'em off. at least one of four will( if you've never taken them off before) so you might as well replace them. they're cheap anyways. then torque every thing to speck or it'll start to mak clicking noises or worse.

[ASG14]

^ haha, the links are the bitch of the whole thing.

Oh, and PLEASE get a can of PB Blaster and spray them ahead of time!

[datnguyen24]

thanks for all the help guys going to tackle it this week or weekend. looking to replace my left front cv joint. making that annoying clicking sound on right turns. that should be an easy install too right? any knowledge is better than none thanks for all the help guys I appreciate it a lot

[4getr34]

im also thinking about doing this my self, did op happen to create a diy for gen 4s?

[Nervous]

What is about rear struts DIY?

[figdogg22]

Originally Posted by Nervous

What is about rear struts DIY?

Don't need it. Did the rear struts last night in my garage on my 97. Pretty easy job only suggestion is to spray the shit out of those bolts before you try to take them off; especially if they've never been taken off.
My car developed this annoying noise on every bump so it was time to swap them out. The suspension feels way better now.

[LynchburgCSI]

Check the dates on threads before you post! This one is pretty old.