Need struts? or springs? how to tell? - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

cam76034 · 10-17-2006, 03:24 PM

90 Corolla, every time I hit a dip in the road I have to slow down to less than 5mph or else it bottoms out. So what needs replacing here? shop told me it was probably springs. I was thinking more like the struts.

freakinbox · 10-17-2006, 04:28 PM

This is how I figured it, might be wrong

If you push down on the car hard and it keeps bouncing (like my buddy's sr5, you need struts)

If you push down on the car hard and it's really easy to do it and doesn't keep bouncing you need springs (such as my sr5)

diver9000 · 10-17-2006, 05:05 PM

Replace both struts and springs..... that way you wont bounce for sure.

freakinbox · 10-17-2006, 06:57 PM

But you can replace just one, it's not uncommon to do that.

cam76034 · 10-17-2006, 07:02 PM

Well, from what I've found here is that springs usually don't just go bad. It has 134000 miles on it and handles great, just not when you hit a dip. Plus, its only a $1000 car anyways, so I can't see replacing components that don't need it.

diver9000 · 10-17-2006, 07:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cam76034

Well, from what I've found here is that springs usually don't just go bad. It has 134000 miles on it and handles great, just not when you hit a dip. Plus, its only a $1000 car anyways, so I can't see replacing components that don't need it.

It seems you've answered your own question then.

cam76034 · 10-17-2006, 07:43 PM

How did I answer my own question exactly? Hasn't anybody here had the same thing happen that can say, yeah its the struts, or yeah its the springs? I just want to fix the problem, not replace all front end components unnecessarily. If you don't have anything constructive to offer, then don't.

freakinbox · 10-17-2006, 08:12 PM

I told you what to try Lol. thats how some shops check it.

It can depend on how hard you corner, springs do go bad... Streching anc compressing constantly will fatigue the metal.

tashirosgt · 10-17-2006, 08:38 PM

You should also check your strut mounts. If they break you can get a "bottoming out" sound that isn't due to bottoming out. If you have the car jacked up you can bounce the tire up and down to see whether the mount is holding the top of the strut or whether the center part of the mount has broken loose some distance from the center bolt.