I have an 01 Corolla CE and the shocks in the rear are not working very well. Either that, or some links/bushings are in need of service replacement, since there is knocking in the passenger rear over ripple bumps at low speed. Regardless, I want to replace my struts at some point to improve handling. Not going racing, just want better handling, a step up from stock, nothing extreme. My 01 Corolla CE has 120,000 KM's on it (75K miles).
What are the options for replacing my shocks and struts? I understand there are aftermarket replacements that are an upgrade from stock. Are there a few options? Similar dampening? Harder? I'd like close to stock.
Wouldn't mind also looking at lowering the car slightly, say 1/2" to 1 inch or so...whatever...not too much. Any springs with small lowering amount out there?
EDIT - In addition, below I've refined my post to include questions about which stabilizer/sway-bars and/or strut tower braces are a good mod, and what order to do all these mods in.
thanks,
Last edited by morkys; 03-21-2010 at 10:03 AM.
Reason: added more questions
I've got a set of KYB GR-2's with Skunk 2 adjustable coilovers and they are noticeably stiffer.
If you want something closer to factory there are several options at local parts stores (something like Monroe).
IMO if you've got to replace anyway, why not upgrade? Not to mention if you're wanting to lower the car a little it's not advised to go with something that'll be close to stock stiffness...I tried stock struts with my skunk 2's and it made going over bumps VERY scary...the car bottomed out on the top of the strut mount nearly EVERY time REGARDLESS of the size of the dip/bump/hole and gave for a very strange ride which made handling awful. So if you're gonna lower the car get stiffer suspension-although it may be a few extra bucks and give the ride a bit of harshness in the long run you'll be happy you did it.
When replacing the rear struts keep in mind that unlike front struts on this car the rears have the brake line going THROUGH the metal flange holding the line in place and must be taken apart (fronts the line is 'clamped' in place by nuts but can be easily loosened and removed without taking the brake line off).
A lot of great strut assemblies are out there; Koni Yellow, Tokiko, and KYB are some of the performance related brands most used and that usually says a lot about the kind of reliability and dependability you'll get out of these. I've done research and from what I see KYB is the original manufacturer for this part (although the GR-2's are aftermarket upgrades).
For coil-overs or lowering the car decide if you want to be able to control the height or if you'd prefer to have it set permanently at a certain height. You can get shocks that are just shortened or ones that have a center tube that has interlocking nuts which allow you to raise and lower the vehicle if you choose to.
Another thing to think about with struts is that you can get ones with adjustable stiffness (they'll have an allen tool or something similar that you can adjust the stiffness with by turning a bolt on the top of the strut cartridge). The stiffer the ride, the better the handling due to less body-roll.
Whatever you get it's smart to get something that comes with a warranty. Although 9 times out of 10 you won't need it there have been struts that go bad quickly or are bad to begin with.
One last thing: When installing the coil-over on a strut there's a metal seat that the original boot sat on and most struts have this...in my case the coil-over wouldn't fit over it, but wouldn't sit on it completely...I just took a hammer to it and broke them off.
If you get a set of adjustable coilovers lowering can be done in nearly any increment (up to the length they support). Some coilovers will say they will lower your vehicle to a certain amount (and they will) but you'll have to have struts that are about as stiff as straight metal bars. I've got mine lowered about 1"; the skunk 2's I have are good to about 2.5"-3" but the GR-2's aren't good struts for anything lower than 1.5".
If I could go back and do it again I'd go with Tokico probably. Koni Yellow is pretty expensive, and KYB's are good, but I'd like to have the ability to lower the vehicle more without the likely possibility of tearing the struts up.
It's not very easy to find 1" or less on a set of non-adjustable coilovers. The first link is the closest I've found. If you're willing to drop ~1.5-2" you can find a set for about $100 new...but like I said, unless you've got a stiff set of struts I wouldn't recommend that far of a drop.
If you get a set of adjustable coilovers lowering can be done in nearly any increment (up to the length they support). Some coilovers will say they will lower your vehicle to a certain amount (and they will) but you'll have to have struts that are about as stiff as straight metal bars. I've got mine lowered about 1"; the skunk 2's I have are good to about 2.5"-3" but the GR-2's aren't good struts for anything lower than 1.5".
If I could go back and do it again I'd go with Tokico probably. Koni Yellow is pretty expensive, and KYB's are good, but I'd like to have the ability to lower the vehicle more without the likely possibility of tearing the struts up.
It's not very easy to find 1" or less on a set of non-adjustable coilovers. The first link is the closest I've found. If you're willing to drop ~1.5-2" you can find a set for about $100 new...but like I said, unless you've got a stiff set of struts I wouldn't recommend that far of a drop.
=]
Those aren't real coilovers are they? It would seem strange that a coilover kit would cost less than a KYB/Tien set up.
1.2" drop is fine with KYB's then. A small drop with stiffer than stock shocks. Sounds about right. Now I just need those Sport Edition D5 alloys. Cash strapped this summer.
So how do KYB GR-2's and Tokico shocks compare to one another? Is it simply a matter of the Tokico shocks being stiffer than the KYB's? Is there no other difference?
I haven't decided whether I am going to lower the car or not. I don't have much 'extra' cash around and so I'm deciding what it's best for me to invest in. I am getting new rims this year, and maybe a few other things. I'm not sure I want to lower the car at this point. I guess I will check out the lowering spring options and decide once I've priced it out.
Also, what other mods are there for these cars in the stability/anti-roll department? Strut bar? Stabilizer bar upgrades?
So how do KYB GR-2's and Tokico shocks compare to one another? Is it simply a matter of the Tokico shocks being stiffer than the KYB's? Is there no other difference?
I haven't decided whether I am going to lower the car or not. I don't have much 'extra' cash around and so I'm deciding what it's best for me to invest in. I am getting new rims this year, and maybe a few other things. I'm not sure I want to lower the car at this point. I guess I will check out the lowering spring options and decide once I've priced it out.
Also, what other mods are there for these cars in the stability/anti-roll department? Strut bar? Stabilizer bar upgrades?
thanks,
You pretty much answered your own questions.
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A BRZ, a curvy mountain road makes one liter of happiness hormones.
I bought a Megan Racing sway bar which works really well for about $25 off E-bay. (I've got another stock 01 Rolla LE so I can test and compare to stock using this 'control' vehicle).
I bought a Megan Racing sway bar which works really well for about $25 off E-bay. (I've got another stock 01 Rolla LE so I can test and compare to stock using this 'control' vehicle).
I have tokico hp series shocks abou 300 for 4. And I got ground control coilovers made by eibach another 400 but really hard to find now especially now I've done anything from 1/2 inch drop on 17s to 3 inch on 15s and I don't rub bounce ar scrape just my 2 cents
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