Spring and Strut Saga..... - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

Camdaddy · 04-13-2004, 11:36 PM

I atempted to install new struts and springs for my Gen 3 Camry over the Easter weekend..and boy I was in for trouble...If you ever order KYB GR2s Sealed Struts. Your going to need new Spring Seats and Lower Strut Mount Bearings also, thats just for the Front though, the rears are okay. I ordered mines through SHOX.COM and they didn't tell me I needed that...so when I got them I looked at them and they looked nothing like the OEM struts I have on the car. I called KYB and found out that I needed additional Parts #SM5125 (bearing) & SM 5173 (spring seat). I found them locally, luckily KYB was located in IL. So I got the parts through a distributor locally. That solved the problem for the Fronts. But the rears were a totally different story. I was going to install my Whiteline Swaybar also. So beforeahand I bought new sway bar links for the rear from Toyota. Got a great deal on them since I worked at Sears Auto Center. Nothing outta the ordinary since its a 12 year old car with stock everything in the rear. Broke one bolt of the sway bar bushing. The Sway bar links were rusted and crap...took good hour to get the sway bar off.......called it a day...have to pick up more parts tommorrow to make things work hopefully. Just a word of advice...things will break for sure...on suspension on old cars. When I am at work things are on hand and parts come quick...when at home everything is a hassle but its fun in a way.

_VVTi_ · 04-14-2004, 12:07 AM

how much was the sway bar link?
cuz i'm considering a whiteline sway bar as well.
and i just had my GR2 installed about a week ago.

tater_tot · 04-28-2004, 08:57 PM

depending on where you buy the sway bar link . auto zone 70 bux. advance auto parts 30 ish

KILLACAMNY · 04-29-2004, 09:23 AM

I swapped my Gr-2's with no problem. The problem I do have now is with my purchase of Dropzone springs. The front springs sit fine, but the rear springs seem that they are too short for the rear strut. They dont even sit secure between the seat and the mount. They are loose in the strut. I have Intrax springs on them now, when I took them out, you can see that the DZ are shorter than Intrax. Anyone had this problem? Could it be a mix up boxing up the springs from the manufacturer?

Camdaddy · 04-29-2004, 09:43 AM

hmm I got the same setup...I was going to use the Dropzone Springs. But didn't hear too much good things about them. People say they sag after a while. So opted for the Intrax Springs. Get a Whiteline swaybar. Its definately worth it. I'm pretty pleased with the setup I got now. KYB's and Intrax, Whiteline swaybar. Lots stiffer than OEM.

89SV21 · 04-29-2004, 10:57 AM

I've got KYB's and Intrax springs as well. What a major improvement over the stock mushiness. I picked up a stock rsb from the local junkyard and it made some difference since mine didn't come with one but I really want the whiteline. Hey camdaddy did you get new endlinks with your swaybar or did you just use your stock ones?

KILLACAMNY · 04-29-2004, 01:14 PM

Intrax are not much better with the sag issue. Thats why I had to change my Intrax springs now. Too bad I misplaced my receipt being that Intrax offers a lifetime warranty. I had them for about 3 years and those springs are rusted out and have my cam scraping driveways when I come across them. The Dropzone's I have installed in the front feel better now, but dont know how it will be later on...I'll hold on to my receipt this time.