Hello everyone. My fiance's 2000 Corolla LE has over 60K miles on it now and the suspension is getting very bouncy. The dealership told her she needs new shocks and of course they are going to charge an arm and a leg.
I recently installed springs on my Protege5 so I'm somewhat familiar with what is involved in upgrading/replacing suspension components. Is there a how-to for replacing the suspension on a corolla somewhere? I tried using the search feature but didn't have much luck. I basically want to know what I'm getting into if I decide to do it myself.
Also, can someone recommend replacement shocks? She doesn't need anything fancy. Will I need to replace the springs also?
how hard of a time did you have repacing the springs on your protege? most cars are the same when it comes to suspension macpherson struts you just unbolt the bottom pop out of there then unbolt the top and you have it out then do the reverse to place it back in. and for the replacements you could buy from the dealership some oem ones i would do this because they are higher quality than most aftermarket ones. but you can also go to a place like autozone or advanced auto and pick up some aftermarket ones
This is a queston, NOT a suggestion - since i don't know if it is safe: wouldn't it be possible to forgo the use of a spring compressor during the disassmbly by simply unbolting the top nut on the strut assembly while the spring is still under load from the weight of the car, then jack the car up, remove wheels, bottom strut bolts and the whole thing falls out in pieces? (phew, that was a mouthful!) if it does work (maybe only on the front) that would save you 10 minutes easliy (it'd save me probably a half hour!)
Everyone on the Protege forums seems to have trouble removing the endlinks because they come off with a very small hex key which gets easily stripped. For my spring install, we managed to swap out the springs without removing the endlinks. To do this on the back it meant dropping the sway bar first. When I say we, I mean myself and a bunch of other guys who have done it before. We did about 5 cars in an afternoon (2 cars at a time, roughly 2.5hrs each...with a few beers in between).
I am by no means a master mechanic so I like to have step-by-step instructions before I tackle something on my own. However, if I have enough time I can usually work my way through things provided I have all the tools necessary.
I didn't know if the Corolla had a similar issue with the endlinks and whether I should purchase new ones before jumping into things.
I would probably go with some KYB GR-2s, they're nice and cheap, a little stiffer than stock, and have a life time warrenty
I don't know why you would have to take the end links off, but I doubt it has that problem, with my rx7 it's easier just to take the end link mount off then it is to take the actual end link off :P
it should be pretty direct, I recomend just jacking it up and looking underneath and seeing if the endlinks are wierd.
and doverville: no that wouldn't work :-P
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'01 Impreza 2.5 RS - Mud flaps, skid plates, Gravel Dampers
'89 RX-7 TurboII - Megasquirt-3 - 270 rwhp
'89 Corolla SR5 - 4AGE ST 20V 6spd LSD, Megasquirt II, Koni Race Dampers + GroundControls + camber plates F/R, GT-S Rear brakes
'81 BMW R65 For Sale: GT-S strut bar + Front GT-S koni yellows
Where can I purchase the KYB GR2's? How is there price compared to buying toyota factory parts? Are they a performance strut? I don't think she wants a harsh ride. She complains about my car when we're driving on back roads (1.5" drop + 18" wheels with 35 series tires).
You can get KYB pretty much anywhere, they're a little harder than OEM and any strut with a lowering spring will perform different anyways. I think you should stick to OEM springs and struts for her car.
Thanks. Do you think she needs springs at 70+ thousand miles or is it probably just struts? FYI, toyota quoted her $1500 for the job. That is outragous. The parts can't be much more than $500-800 can they?
I did the struts on my 98 Corolla. There is a Haynes Manual for this model of Corolla, and the procedure is straightforward. Some pointers:
1. By all means, USE a spring compressor! Access is tight, especially in the front wheel area and you need to align the strut mount properly with the new struts (the piston flats must line up as well as the upper mount in relation to the spring). The manual is helpful with this.
2. Air tools make this job a lot easier. You may need a breaker bar for the 203 ft/lbs strut to steering knuckle bolts.
3. USE A TORQUE WRENCH. Many folks forgo using a properly calibrated torque wrench which is foolish. It is critical when working on suspension parts. Again, the manual is helpful for torque specs.
4. The stabilizer bar end links are tricky. The center bolt needs to be held by a hex/allen wrench.
5. I bought KYB GR-2s all around and they are stiffer than OEM. Ride is firm and a bit bumpy, but the handling (after a proper alignment) is superb. Monroe Sensatracs would be softer.
6. Consider replacing the front strut mounts. Cost is low (approx $40 ea) and they do go bad over time. Important when steering. Reuse the OEM strut boots if not damaged.
7. Take your time -- it may take 5 hours+ to do it right (4 struts). Double-check the reassembly of the strut before releasing the spring compressor. And BE CAREFUL when using the compressor -- never have one end of the spring pointing to your head. Slowly compress and decompress the spring.
8. Reuse the OEM springs if they are not cracked. Springs do not "wear" out.
9. Remember to get an alignment afterwards.
If you are handy and have access to good tools, you will save a lot of money doing this yourself. I was quoted over $800. I finished the job just over $400 and the car feels like a new vehicle.
Thank you very much rlee! The dealership quoted my fiance $773+tax for the parts and another $600-700 for labor. Even if it takes an entire weekend day it will be worth it to save that $700. Money is tight since we bought our first home.
I'll make sure I have a torque wrench, the haynes manual, and a breaker bar in my tool box before I get started on this.
Funny though...the guy at the dealership was trying to convince her that the Corolla had shocks and not struts. I was always under the impression that a strut is basically a combination shock absorber spring assembly...am I wrong?
Gabriel shocks from Autozone will cost $237 for all four. Any thoughts on Gabriel?
Advanced Auto Parts has Monroe Sensa Trac struts and those would be $289.
I paid $239.42 for their mid-grade struts (Monroe) at Advance Auto Parts last month. Had all four put on for $300 at a local garage. Like just about everything at Advance they have a limited lifetime warranty.
Gabriel Ultras would be a better alternative than the KYB GR2s if you are looking for a comfortable ride. Better multi-stage valving that is more effective than the GR2s at slower speeds.
Is that $237 at Autozone for the Gabriel Ultra struts all around? If so, that is an excellent buy for a really nice strut.
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