Rear Strut Replace 87 FWD Sedan

[Cowley]

Friends I've searched the forum but no luck so I have to ask. I need new rear struts on my 87 sedan. Does the spring and strut come out as a single unit, and require a spring compression tool to remove the strut. I'm mechanical but don't want to lose my fingers, so should I attempt it myself or have a shop do it? And do you recommend replacing both strut and spring, or just the strut? I'm not after high performance suspension, just want it to feel like it did when new. I bought the car new, it's now at 200 K, and I plan to put another 200 K on it. Any advice would be appreciated.

[generalyen]

you need to remove the whole strut first. make sure there is no load on the strut. once it is removed you need to compress the spring and remove the top nut. if your not comfortable with that then I would take it to a shop. unless your springs are sagging i wouldn't worry about replacing the springs just the struts.

[ayang951]

you know, i have a 91 corolla sedan and i just recently did a strut spring change, and to tell you the truth the stock struts were kinda weak, mine didnt leak infact they are still in great condition, i just wanted to lower it, but back to the main topic i just faced the spring away from me and loosed the nut, it didnt even shoot the spring out it just fell off...

[generalyen]

yeah I really don't recommend doing that. compress the spring before loosing the nut. I'd hate to hear of someone loosing an eye or a smashed up face.

[ayang951]

Originally Posted by generalyen

yeah I really don't recommend doing that. compress the spring before loosing the nut. I'd hate to hear of someone loosing an eye or a smashed up face.

yupp you know, there is a trick out there i personally used to use when i used to work in this mom and pops auto shop, well you compress the springs and tie a wire from top to bottom and itll hold the springin place and then loosen it up... wire as in ground wires or wire hangers for clothing.

[generalyen]

i've used ratchet straps before but that was in a pinch.

[rickhart]

Originally Posted by generalyen

yeah I really don't recommend doing that. compress the spring before loosing the nut. I'd hate to hear of someone loosing an eye or a smashed up face.

I did mine a couple of years ago the same way and used the coil spring compressor that AutoZone had on their loaner program so I didn't have to buy one. I replaced all four of the OEM struts with standard KYB struts.

Leave the spring in the compressor until it's mounted in the new strut AND the nut on the top is installed.

[rickhart]

It's usually best to replace all four of the struts at the same time along with new rubber boots and maybe the ball joints too. The Toyota service manual for this model and year give a detailed how-to. I got mine when new and it has been indispensable over all these years.