Just installed Vogtland + Tokico.... just messed up results

[_VVTi_]

So me and bunch of friends got together to install my Vogtland and Tokico struts. The results are the following:

1) ABS lights came on
2) The car steers like a drunk whore (alignment issue)
3) Rattle in the rear left (probably the strut mount bolts isn't 100% fully tighten)
4) The front clunks when I turn the wheel (steering above 90 degrees)

Just messed man... fuk!!

But anyhow, I will update with pictures once I have sorted out the issues...

Any suggestions or recommendations on how I can proceed with the issues??

[njerald]

Sounds like you and your friends are way over your heads.

Take it to a shop if you can't find anyone who knows something about suspensions.

[yosh]

1) ABS light is from a broken ABS speed sensor. They are very fragile. Part is pricey. It's very common to damage it when installing a suspension. In fact, mine is on. It won't affect braking.
2) Yeah you should get your car aligned after any suspension work. See if that helps.
3) Make sure all bolts, especially the strut mounts and the top nut, are torqued properly.
4) Broken strut mount bearing. Around $30 I believe, special order from Toyota.

[_VVTi_]

1) ABS light is from a broken ABS speed sensor. They are very fragile. Part is pricey. It's very common to damage it when installing a suspension. In fact, mine is on. It won't affect braking. Yeah, I was warning them about the ABS sensors, but I guess it slipped when they were maneveuring the strut assembly out of the wheel well.
2) Yeah you should get your car aligned after any suspension work. See if that helps. I'm praying that will fix it!!
3) Make sure all bolts, especially the strut mounts and the top nut, are torqued properly. I trusted my friend with the torquing specification... friends... unfortunately I don't think they found out how to remove the rear deck to get more access room to torque down the rear strut mount bolts... once agian... trusting friends... hahha
4) Broken strut mount bearing. Around $30 I believe, special order from Toyota. I don't believe my year of Camry use bearings on front strut mount. However, would broken CV joint make this kind of clunking noise?

[yosh]

Originally Posted by _VVTi_

I trusted my friend with the torquing specification... friends... unfortunately I don't think they found out how to remove the rear deck to get more access room to torque down the rear strut mount bolts... once agian... trusting friends... hahha

Yeah maybe they couldn't get the deck off so they just shoved a wrench under there. Better check that out quick.

Originally Posted by _VVTi_

I don't believe my year of Camry use bearings on front strut mount. However, would broken CV joint make this kind of clunking noise?

I believe it does. It would be sandwiched within the mounts. You can check out the dust boot covers of the CV joints for tears.

[_VVTi_]

Originally Posted by yosh

I believe it does. It would be sandwiched within the mounts. You can check out the dust boot covers of the CV joints for tears.

Maybe on your generation it does... but on mine only the 3.5 have the strut mount bearings...

and i found out the rear weren't torqued down right... i did it just now to it rid of the clunking sounds... but one side is lower by 0.5 finger hahah!!
going to get it checked by a shop to get everything torqued down right to spec...

however, the front still clunk when i steer pass 90 degrees....

[Lord_Anarchy]

did you happen to remove the lower spring seat from your old struts to use on the new ones? I think I screwed up myself on that part. Even though Toyota says not to, it's like parents.. You got do the exact opposite of what they say

I also had some pretty nasty sounding metal clunking from my passenger side but what had happened was that the caliper for the brakes wasn't properly torqued down(replaced with Raysbestos discs). I had to retorque that bad boy and now I just pull to the side (right, slightly). I revised Toyota pics of the strut and found that I put the lower spring seat incorrectly. I'll probably fix it this friday as I have no time to do until then.

HOPEFULLY that'll help.

[_VVTi_]

SOLUTION FOUND!!

I didn't know that I'm suppose to use 95-96 strut mount with the Tokicos!! Thats why they are making that clunking sound because without the bearings in the upper strut mount, they are not turning freely!!!!!

But fuk!!! dealership is asking for 500 CDN for mount and bearing parts, and thats before installing it and alignment!!!... fuk that!!! I got it for 200 CDN at parts source... and gonna get my buddy to install it at his shop with CERTIFIED TECH!! and aligned!!

[Lord_Anarchy]

Glad you got your fix! You gotta put pics up after you are done

[_VVTi_]

hahah well its not fixed yet... but thats the solution i think will make things work...

but just to make sure... i AM suppose to use 96 upper mounts/bearings for the Tokico (full assembly) for a 94 Camry right??

[DAMON]

I just bought 92-94 mounts for my 94... I guess it would depend on when it was built. I dont know if I had bearings in there or not because I had a shop lower my car, but I do know I didnt buy any bearings or anything

good luck

[megamac83]

make sure all your abs speed sensors are in the right place, mine came on after I did my tokico with sprint springs but only for 10 min and went away, another thing

[_VVTi_]

Originally Posted by dysk8forlife

I just bought 92-94 mounts for my 94... I guess it would depend on when it was built. I dont know if I had bearings in there or not because I had a shop lower my car, but I do know I didnt buy any bearings or anything

good luck

i read that using the Tokico on a 94 will require a 95-96 mounts/bearings...

http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/sh...ing#post819633

[njerald]

What a circle jerk!

[_VVTi_]

Originally Posted by njerald

What a circle jerk!

what do you mean?