Removing rear struts - 05 S

[richierich]

I've searched what feels like the entire Internet tonight and can't find anyone that has the info I need. I have an 05 Corolla S and want to swap out the springs. Front strut removal looks straight forward, but how the heck to I get to the top of the rear struts? I folded down the rear seats, but there doens't appear to be any access there.

Anyone been through this recently that can help?

Thanks in advance,
Rich
San Jose, CA

[NRM]

Don't have the exact answer right now, but if you have time and want to look through it. Here's the repair manual for the 9th gen corolla.

http://www.users.on.net/~bmrogers/2004.zip

Should be able to find something in there.

[Skell]

its pretty 'basic' for the most part.......

you have to remove the rear seats.. for the bottom portion, there should be two 'clips' or something near where it meets with the carpet, and for the vertical portion, you can dig for the bolts near the bottom edges of where they meet with the doors and bottom portion.....

or it should be 'something to that effect' ...

[richierich]

NRM... Dude... you are the MAN!

So it appears that the 2 bolts that I saw while laying underneath the car are in fact the 2 upper bolts for the rear struts, and while I haven't gone to the car tonight to check, it sounds like the nuts are in the spare tire compartment. NICE!!!

Thanks so much for that link - I'm sure I'll use this info many times in the future!!!

[adsaba1969]

1st, remove the carpet and the other layer above the spare in the trunk. then remove all clips and take out the side moldings in the trunk. now that your trunk is bare, with the seats folded down you can get at the top bolts easily. the rear is easier that the front and should take you about hour to hour and half if you got air, from start to finish ( of rear )

[NRM]

Repair manuals are your best friend.

[richierich]

No doubt - thanks guys!