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I just recently got my 96 4 cyl Camry and I think that it needs new shocks now. The front right side makes this grinding/groaning noise when it get put under compression when driving. Anyhow, I was thinking of putting in the Tokico blue shocks with H&R OE Sport springs, but I don't know if this is a good combo. I love SpectraBlueCamry's lowering job, but I don't want to lose too much comfort from the lowering spring. I also noticed that the exhaust of Camry's are unusually low right under the gas tank. Has anyone had clearance problems with 1.25-1.5" lowerings, and can anyone suggest where I can get decent prices on the parts and install?
Oh yea, since I'm gonna be getting suspension work done, how worth it are new bushings if I don't race or drive my car really hard? Also, would I need new shock tower mounts and a camber kit if I lower my car? I know I've asked a lot of questions here, so please don't get mad....
I just recently got my 96 4 cyl Camry and I think that it needs new shocks now. The front right side makes this grinding/groaning noise when it get put under compression when driving. Anyhow, I was thinking of putting in the Tokico blue shocks with H&R OE Sport springs, but I don't know if this is a good combo. I love SpectraBlueCamry's lowering job, but I don't want to lose too much comfort from the lowering spring. I also noticed that the exhaust of Camry's are unusually low right under the gas tank. Has anyone had clearance problems with 1.25-1.5" lowerings, and can anyone suggest where I can get decent prices on the parts and install?
as fas as lowering i have Sprint springs that lower 1.8" and you have to be carful about bottoming out. I wouldnt think it would be as big of a problem with 1.25-1.5"
I spoke to Basil at T-Lex today and he said that I probablly just need some lube or at most just need to change the shock mount. Hopefully, that's all that's wrong with it, but I'm still thinking of getting new suspension bits just to dress up my car a little. It seems that KYB and Tokico are the main non-coil over suspension options amongst you guys.... is it really luck of the draw when it comes to how well they are made? It seems that a lot of people here think that the KYBs are too soft and can't handle a lowering spring (although I don't think that's a problem with me since I only want to lower 1 inch). Any experiences (good or bad) about the Tokico Blues and the KYB GR2s?
I wish there were KYB AGX's, Koni Yellows, or Tokico Illumina's that fit another car and the Camry both...we as Camry owners are stuck to getting cheaper models of these big companies, when are we going to be looked at as car enthusiats who need parts to fit our cars? i think i am going to write these companies and see what i can stir up..we should all get together as TN and see if we can convince these comapnies that it would be a smart investment to produce for Camry's
Ryan
I have a 94 Accord, and a 2000 Camry v6. I know on my honda boards, Tokico blues are the worst avail, due to common failure, harsh ride, and overall bad quality... many complaints on them blowing out fast etc.... but i know there are many more options for the accord, so that could be why as well(there are more struts to compare to). I have Koni Reds on my Accord, dropped about 1.5 inches and its great. But i dont think they are avail for the Camrys? Over at the honda boards, everyone swears by Koni Yellows or Bilstein's HD's. But i have also heard from some people that they are happy with their tokico's on theur accords.
So you're basing your judgments on Tokicos from Honda owners who haven't had luck with them? How does that apply to Toyotas?
Luc
How would it not apply to Toyotas? Wouldn't it be a good idea to judge the performance of a shock based on multiple applications and not just one? Or do the different applications have dramatically different mechanical differences that make cross company comparisons impossible?
There are other factors involved with the struts' designs for each particular platform. As far as I know, Hondas have always used the double wishbone setup, and if the owners use linear-rated springs, they'll have the slammed look giving up comfort. Having said that, the shocks themselves will wear out faster than they were intended for. The Camrys have always used the strut design, and it wasn't until recently (~1 year), that companies like VIS and GC have made coilover sleeves that uses linear rate springs. Having installed and ridden in a Tokico blue/GC setup, the shocks are giving out quicker, with not much travel. If I remembered correctly, Tokico will warranty their product up to a certain lowered ride height, anything more than that, they won't. My original intent was to ask whether he can provide evidence of how the Tokico blues are "crap" on the Camry platform.
There are other factors involved with the struts' designs for each particular platform. As far as I know, Hondas have always used the double wishbone setup, and if the owners use linear-rated springs, they'll have the slammed look giving up comfort. Having said that, the shocks themselves will wear out faster than they were intended for. The Camrys have always used the strut design, and it wasn't until recently (~1 year), that companies like VIS and GC have made coilover sleeves that uses linear rate springs. Having installed and ridden in a Tokico blue/GC setup, the shocks are giving out quicker, with not much travel. If I remembered correctly, Tokico will warranty their product up to a certain lowered ride height, anything more than that, they won't. My original intent was to ask whether he can provide evidence of how the Tokico blues are "crap" on the Camry platform.
Luc
I see.... and maybe I'm an idiot, but are you saying that the Tokico blues wore out faster with the GC setup, or are they bottoming out more often? Just asking because the H&R OE Sport springs only lower an inch (havn't researched enough yet to know if they are progressive or linear) so if they are installed with the Tokico blues, i'm not too worried about them bottoming out, but if they are wearing out really quickly, then I'd have to reconsider getting the blues and find another option.
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