Since there aren't any performance struts for the 10th gen Corolla there is an option of installing 9th gen struts with a few modifications to the front struts. I figured that I would show others what is needed to get it done if they don't want to spend $1k on coilovers.
I bought these adjustable Tokico struts for a 9th gen on clearance. There are several choices available from different manufacturers.
The struts are the same as the 10th gen with a few small differences.
The lower strut bolts for the 10th gen are a lot larger than the 9th gen as you can see in the picture. So the solution is to enlarge the lower bolt holes in the new 9th gen struts.
I used a step-up drill bit and a grinding bit on my Dremel to enlarge the holes. It worked great and didn't take long.
Here you can see the before and after size of the hole.
All 4 holes on strut one done.
The top cap that fits over the spring is different for the 9th & 10th gen Corollas. This is because the threaded part of the strut rod is a different size and is slightly different. I've seen others say that you can drill this part out but then the strut rod will spin when you are trying to tighten the top nut. With the flat parts in place the strut rod will not rotate. My solution to this issue was to buy a set of 9th gen donor struts from a junkyard. Here are my donors.
This was the car they came from, a very bad wreck!
Here is a picture of the part you need from the donor strut. I tossed the rest of the parts as they were worn out and useless. The 9th gen spring cap has 2 flat parts that fit exactly down onto the 9th gen strut rod which you can see on the left one. The 10th gen spring cap doesn't fit properly on a 9th gen strut rod. It could be drilled out but it would allow the strut rod to spin while trying to tighten the top nut.
Here is the front strut installed. I did buy new 9th gen strut top bearing mounts and found out that the bearing hole is larger on the 9th gen so this is a needed part. If you tried to drill out the bearing on the 10th gen it would just get all the metal shavings in the bearing itself.
Since the 9th gen strut didn't have the hole for the speed sensor wire, I trimmed off the back part of it and used some silicone to glue it to the new strut. I don't think that it's really needed but I figured what the heck.
The rear struts are the same so they are a direct replacement and went on in a jiffy. My biggest issue was I needed to remove my UR RSB to get the lower strut bolt off.
On the front struts the rubber cap wouldn't fit because the strut rod is taller on the adjustable version. My solution was to cut an opening in it so I can easily use the adjusting tool.
This is the look after I installed the cap over the adjustment hole. I'm a happy camper! Now maybe some others won't be afraid to change their struts.
As a follow up my OEM struts were still in very good condition. They never leaked in almost 70k miles and being on Eibach springs for most of those miles. :clap:
Now I just need to work on dialing them in over the next few weeks. :grin:
I bought these adjustable Tokico struts for a 9th gen on clearance. There are several choices available from different manufacturers.
The struts are the same as the 10th gen with a few small differences.
The lower strut bolts for the 10th gen are a lot larger than the 9th gen as you can see in the picture. So the solution is to enlarge the lower bolt holes in the new 9th gen struts.
I used a step-up drill bit and a grinding bit on my Dremel to enlarge the holes. It worked great and didn't take long.
Here you can see the before and after size of the hole.
All 4 holes on strut one done.
The top cap that fits over the spring is different for the 9th & 10th gen Corollas. This is because the threaded part of the strut rod is a different size and is slightly different. I've seen others say that you can drill this part out but then the strut rod will spin when you are trying to tighten the top nut. With the flat parts in place the strut rod will not rotate. My solution to this issue was to buy a set of 9th gen donor struts from a junkyard. Here are my donors.
This was the car they came from, a very bad wreck!
Here is a picture of the part you need from the donor strut. I tossed the rest of the parts as they were worn out and useless. The 9th gen spring cap has 2 flat parts that fit exactly down onto the 9th gen strut rod which you can see on the left one. The 10th gen spring cap doesn't fit properly on a 9th gen strut rod. It could be drilled out but it would allow the strut rod to spin while trying to tighten the top nut.
Here is the front strut installed. I did buy new 9th gen strut top bearing mounts and found out that the bearing hole is larger on the 9th gen so this is a needed part. If you tried to drill out the bearing on the 10th gen it would just get all the metal shavings in the bearing itself.
Since the 9th gen strut didn't have the hole for the speed sensor wire, I trimmed off the back part of it and used some silicone to glue it to the new strut. I don't think that it's really needed but I figured what the heck.
The rear struts are the same so they are a direct replacement and went on in a jiffy. My biggest issue was I needed to remove my UR RSB to get the lower strut bolt off.
On the front struts the rubber cap wouldn't fit because the strut rod is taller on the adjustable version. My solution was to cut an opening in it so I can easily use the adjusting tool.
This is the look after I installed the cap over the adjustment hole. I'm a happy camper! Now maybe some others won't be afraid to change their struts.
As a follow up my OEM struts were still in very good condition. They never leaked in almost 70k miles and being on Eibach springs for most of those miles. :clap:
Now I just need to work on dialing them in over the next few weeks. :grin: