Replacement Shocks/Struts??? - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

baileyboy24 · 07-12-2007, 11:40 PM

Ok, so I'm new to this forum, but a friend suggested I give it a try. I need to replace all 4 shocks/struts on my 98 corolla. Goodyear wanted a grand to do it, and I laughed at them. I mean give me a break, the car has almost 150k miles and my wife beats the crap out of it. So I'm wondering if anyone has suggestions on a good replacement shock/strut.

I've been looking at Tokico and KYB GR-2. Some sites call these performance shocks, but I've never heard of them. They seem to be about the same price as good Monroe shocks. Any thoughts/advice?

Also, is it a must to replace the mounts? I can see this to be a good idea, but the car is in good shape, with no rust.

Thanks for the advice.

rwd_3tc · 07-12-2007, 11:43 PM

well for a 1000 its not that bad. but it depends on what there replacing. if its the strut, spring and mounts all around including labour take it.

retiredat44 · 07-13-2007, 12:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rwd_3tc

well for a 1000 its not that bad. but it depends on what there replacing. if its the strut, spring and mounts all around including labour take it.

local shops here wanted $850 for just 4 struts replaced (parts and labor) on my 1989 Corolla. I did it myself for $160 parts. That was a few years back.. but its wasn't easy, it took lots of work.

Piloter · 07-13-2007, 01:45 AM

If they go by the book rate (at least for the 93-97s, the 98-01s have the same suspension setup) it's flat WRONG. The book rate for labor is something ludicrous like $900 for the rears alone, and it doesn't take nearly that long. Try getting a quote at a local Sears Auto Center, they generally have pretty good prices. Mounts only need replaced if they're torn/cracked, the general consensus seems to be that the GR-2s are about factory stiffness (KYB made the original rear struts) and the Tokicos are a bit stiffer than stock.

If you get the chance to measure the diameter of your stock rear struts, let me know, I may be interested in buying them.

90 GP · 07-13-2007, 03:43 PM

I have seen some parts dealers offer a strut/spring and mount all sold together as one piece. Don't know the pricing but from a do it yourself project it would be a much easier install. Removing springs from existing struts and changing them to a new strut is dangerous and a tedious process.