Rebuild SSS (Super Strut Suspension), SSS Options

[Wild202]

I brought to you how I solved the problem with a thud on the suspension arms SSS.
I really like to use it SSS suspension arms, because I had the opportunity to compare with McPherson suspension, because like last machine was ST-202.
But after the purchase, I discovered a terrible knock on all the front suspension, which has been difficult to locate.
I started to deal with this problem.

This post has been edited by Wild202: Apr 13, 2018 - 3:20 AM

[Rusty]

This may help diagnose your problem...

For A and B typical replacement kilometres is around 80-120k. but driving style and suspension set up and roads driven on can alter that.
Aftermarket and rebuilt ball joints tend to not last as long, often requiring replacement within 6 months. Even sooner with stiffer springs and shocks by putting more stress on the joints. (So how much is that going to cost you in the long run to maintain it???)

Came across a checklist for checking Super strut. Since it has extra linkages. It causes some issues when trying to diagnose noises in the suspension as it can be hard to pin point which joint has worn.

CHECKING SUPERSTRUT SUSPENSION
- Jack up front of car, remove front wheels.
- take hold of the spring perch (where the bottom of the spring sits) with both hands.
- try to twist the strut.
If the strut doesn't twist, the super strut joints on that side are ok.
If the strut twists (you should be able to see movement in the short s/s arm joints)....
- 1-2mm (measured at the edge of the spring perch) means it will probably pass a warrant but will need replacing quite soon. You might be able to just notice the car wandering a bit when driving over changing road camber or when braking/accelerating.
- more than 2 mm it will probably fail a warrant, it will need replacing. The car will wander over changing road surfaces and change direction noticeably when accelerating or braking. You will know something is wrong!

S/S joints have a huge load on them, from accelerating, braking and going over bumps. The front s/s control arm has a short arm that connects to the suspension strut. The suspension strut has a ball joint that locates the top of the steering knuckle/hub. If the joints at either end of the short arm become worn the suspension strut can rotate. If it rotates it causes the top of the steering knuckle to move forwards or backwards (due to bumps, accelerating or braking). This causes the wheel to point out a bit or in a bit, causing the car to wander left or right without you moving the steering wheel. This can be very dangerous!

STRANGE NOISES?
Creaking noise? Often in Super strut cars the creaking isn't the lower link arm. I've driven a GTZ with super strut with totally rooted lower link arm and it didn't make a noise! It just wandered across the road!

If the lower link arm is shagged - only put in Toyota genuine new!!! Anything else wears out in about 5,000km! (Cost might be a bit more but you won't regret it.)