Shocks, Struts. No custom shops help.

[Neog2]

Edited from the first time I posted this post.
Read this post again.

First and for most let me thank the people who replied to my post when I thought I was going to have to go to a regular shop.

But it turns out there is a custom shop I can go to for suspension and he will let me bring my own parts.

So now I have an extra $1000 dollars

Everybody keeps talking about Tokico Struts, or KYB Gr-2 Struts,
and H&R, or Eibach springs.

Like I said in my first post that is no longer available for viewing.
I dont need a dramatic drop. Really a half an inch is all I need and 1 inch is okay but nothing over that unless its cheaper than the inch or half and inch.

The guy said he would install struts and springs for $200 and its a big custom shop around here, I just didnt think they did suspension thats why I didnt bother asking them.

So I already know what KYB Struts to get. (GR-2) and I know they have sealed and unsealed ones. The sealed ones can't be fixed or something like that, and the unsealed ones can be serviced. My question about those is. Do they really need servicing that often? I mean if they will last for 3 or more years I will just get the sealed ones since I think there cheaper. But if niether one of them will last longer than 2 years then I think I need to be looking for another strut.

What Tokico Struts should I get? If I decided to go with them.

Also what springs I know about H&R, and Eibach. And I think the Eibach kit will be the pro-kit im not sure since I havent looked in a while.


Also if you people have any other good strut spring combos please list them, The company name and the model please.

Thanks again to the first 9 people that posted when my post was about regular shops only.

[PtBaller]

You should go for some eibach springs and tokico struts.

[cam2Xrunner]

The rattling is probably your front strut mounts. Replace those as well as the strut mount bearing. Id rec. the tokicos over the sensatracs. The sensatracs are soft oe like struts. The struts should run you 350 or so on ebay. The eibach springs prob. around 180. The strut mounts are like 60 bucks each at the dealer and the strut mount bearings are like 25 bucks each(one one each side). The cost of labor should be 4 hours. Figure worst case scenario 320 labor. You should also get an alignment done after doing all this. Figure aroung 60 bucks for alignment.

[cam2Xrunner]

Also look into a rear sway bar from whiteline or the trd one.

[The Wolf]

$350 shipped off ebay, the full strut housing, if your struts are sealed. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...RK%3AMEWA%3AIT If you can use inserts, I've got a brand new set for sale....

If I were you, I'd go for the Eibach/Tokico combo. That's what I want to do, which will probably have to wait until next summer. My car's suspension is 10 years old and I "float" everywhere, which is really annoying. As for new strut mounts, your best bet for the lower insulators (spring seats) might be the dealer. The upper insulator (bellows) you can find at Advance Auto Parts for $12 each. I wouldn't get the Monroe, go with either Tokico or KYB GR2s..... Good luck!

[cam2Xrunner]

The strut mounts are located on the top of the strut assembly. You can see them from the engine bay, they have 4 bolts going up.

[maggotdecay]

I have KYB GR-2 shocks and struts all around, they are TIGHT, I love em, got em nice and cheap off ebay. If I were to get springs too, I'd go with Eibach.

[movingviolation]

I've got H&R lowering springs (54682) on my Camry along
with Tokico HB3179-3182 struts.
It's not a huge drop or anything, but they're a lot firmer
than the OE springs. I like the set up a lot.
I've also got a whiteline rear bar, & that's real nice, too.

Between KYB & Tokico I chose Tokico because it's been
said that KYB are more of an OE strut/shock, although
I have heard good things about the KYB adjustables
from an autocrosser. He had them installed on his
Subaru, tho, & I don't know if KYB even makes
adjustables for a Camry.

I don't autocross or anything & I haven't searched for any
comments about Eibach springs over H&R springs, but I
like the H&R springs a lot. I was just curious (because I like
to joyride a lot) about having uprated springs & needed
something new to experience. I didn't feel like looking rice
or anything with a slammed ride & stock wheels (which I'm still
rolling around on) so I went with the H&Rs because the
moderate drop.

anyway, gotta go

[Nick]

all i can say is with 212k miles and in the condition you're describing you're gonna have to replace everything

springs
struts
strut mounts
sway bar links
upper and lower insulators

[Neog2]

But ordering stuff off of ebay doesent help me since one I can't install the stuff myself, and none of the places around here install other peoples parts. Meaning if they dont order it they wont put it on.

If I can find one of the places tomorrow and they have Tokico struts, and Eibach springs I will get them, but I seriously thought it.

The majority of the noise is coming from the back of my car, a little from the front.

[tykelle]

You know you guys should really check out Froogle.com! Ebay was has Tokico stuts (set of 4) for about $350 shipped. I entered in the part number for the the struts and it sent me to several websites selling the strut. I found a deal for all 4 stuts for $262 shipped. Check it out. Froogle.com. It's a new service from Google. Hope this helps save some $$$$

[Neog2]

First and for most let me thank the people who replied to my post when I thought I was going to have to go to a regular shop.

But it turns out there is a custom shop I can go to for suspension and he will let me bring my own parts.

So now I have an extra $1000 dollars

Everybody keeps talking about Tokico Struts, or KYB Gr-2 Struts,
and H&R, or Eibach springs.

Like I said in my first post that is no longer available for viewing.
I dont need a dramatic drop. Really a half an inch is all I need and 1 inch is okay but nothing over that unless its cheaper than the inch or half and inch.

The guy said he would install struts and springs for $200 and its a big custom shop around here, I just didnt think they did suspension thats why I didnt bother asking them.

So I already know what KYB Struts to get. (GR-2) and I know they have sealed and unsealed ones. The sealed ones can't be fixed or something like that, and the unsealed ones can be serviced. My question about those is. Do they really need servicing that often? I mean if they will last for 3 or more years I will just get the sealed ones since I think there cheaper. But if niether one of them will last longer than 2 years then I think I need to be looking for another strut.

What Tokico Struts should I get? If I decided to go with them.

Also what springs I know about H&R, and Eibach. And I think the Eibach kit will be the pro-kit im not sure since I havent looked in a while.


Also if you people have any other good strut spring combos please list them, The company name and the model please.

Thanks again to the first 9 people that posted when my post was about regular shops only.

[Nick]

Originally posted by Neog2
But ordering stuff off of ebay doesent help me since one I can't install the stuff myself, and none of the places around here install other peoples parts. Meaning if they dont order it they wont put it on.

that's bullshit, i've never heard of a shop saying that

i've brought junk yard parts to shops and they put them in, if they say no, tell them you'll go somewhere else

that shop is just greedy, they want to make a good profit from marking up the parts...

[The Wolf]

I actually called several local places that sell Monroe's, etc. Most only install what they sale, including Firestone, Sears Automotive, Free Service Tire (I think), and Meineke. The only places I called that will install whatever was Professional Toyota Repair (local to Knoxville) and Pepboys (last time I checked).

[amerikim]

H&Rs & Tokicos are available from http://www.ctmotorsport.com/.

I am not hawking, but thats where I bought mine.

As far as installation goes, there are a lot of regular mechanics that moonlight on weekends.

Very important to get a REAL alignment done after. Ruining a set of tires by pulling a cheapo is bogus.

Oldman Nick is not incorrect in saying there maybe a Pandora's box when you jack your vehicle up for a look see. Be prepared for any surprises. Aged rubber does not get better with time.