What are the Requirments for changing my struts, New KYB's and S-Techs in the mail Options

[k-weaver]

Ok, so I have been wanting to change my suspension ever since I got my car and the time is finally coming. I just purchased and received some KYB GR-2's and my teins are in the mail. I just had a couple of questions on what is needed for the install.

1.) Can I use the orignal stock mounts that are at the top of the strut? (I'm refering to the piece that holds the spring on from the top end)

2.) I noticed that someone else recently did an install of the same set up and he used what appeared to be a rubber piece on the strut. Right where the spring would sit on the strut (bottom of strut), are these necessary?

3.) How hard are these bolts going to be to get off?

4.) Is there a certain way you need to place the spring onto the strut? Or can you just slap it on there?

[thespacepanda]

1. Yes
2. Yes
3. Not very, buy you'll need to use some muscle
4. There's a groove in the bottom of the piece from question 2 that the end of the coil sits in

[Galcobar]

1) Possibly (depends on condition, strut mounts can be literally falling apart). About $55 each to replace.

2) Spring seat isolators are required. You may also need an isolator for the upper spring seat (dealer items).

3) Easy if they're not rusted, aside from a few set with over 100 ft-lbs of torque. Rusted or seized bolts between the strut and the knuckle/axle carrier cracked a socket (not a cheap one either).

4) Groove on the bottom, and you have to ensure the spring seats are correctly positioned before tightening up the strut mount to chassis bolts.

Actually, found the Haynes manual to be fairly useful for this job and it has the necessary torque specs.

[94celigts]

grease(alot of grease) all bearings in top mount, and grease the top of the springs and the rubber it will sit into on the bottom of the top mount it will make for no sounds, i didnt the first time took it apart the next day to redo.


This post has been edited by 94celigts: Dec 11, 2007 - 2:31 PM

[Celicam8]

when i was replacing my junk, i found my wheel tie rod possible THE best tool if you dont have a breaker bar... i only found this out on the last wheel when i had to fix a stupid mistake i made... I have the 4 different siezed ones, so im not sure if ours fits... ill find out tomorrow...

[njccmd2002]

Ok, so I have been wanting to change my suspension ever since I got my car and the time is finally coming. I just purchased and received some KYB GR-2's and my teins are in the mail. I just had a couple of questions on what is needed for the install.

1.) Can I use the orignal stock mounts that are at the top of the strut? (I'm refering to the piece that holds the spring on from the top end)

yes




2.) I noticed that someone else recently did an install of the same set up and he used what appeared to be a rubber piece on the strut. Right where the spring would sit on the strut (bottom of strut), are these necessary?

strut bumper and insulator. Need to buy them new. so before you take it apart. buy it...




3.) How hard are these bolts going to be to get off?

with this, no problem....



4.) Is there a certain way you need to place the spring onto the strut? Or can you just slap it on there?

the spring fits into the groove, you have to align the top mount to the exterior




and voila

[94celigts]

You dont need insulator new, nor strut bumper... there is instructions on how to cut your existing bumper, as well if your insulator isnt badly worn itll wwork again in the new setup.

[6strngs]

does the new bumper need to be cut when installing S-techs/kybs? also, anyone have the part number for the upper and lower insulators and the bumpers? as well as the top nut which holds the assembly together, that also needs to be replaced!

[94celigts]

Top nut should come with KYB's. I ordered new Strut Boots from Importrp.com like 13$ or something a pop. I ordered 2 and they sent 4? but those come with the new book along with a proper size bumper that you do not need to cut. I installed Stechs with the KYBGR2's make sure you grease the top of thwe spring like playr says it helps alot!!. For the insulators like i said before i reused mine they were torn a bit but shouldnt matter too much?

[Celicam8]

You dont need insulator new, nor strut bumper... there is instructions on how to cut your existing bumper, as well if your insulator isnt badly worn itll wwork again in the new setup.

you don't, but you already spent 450 bucks on parts whats 20 more, which will make sure your crap lasts longer...

[njccmd2002]

its true you dont need new insulators, or strut bumpers. But i came to surprise when i took it apart the first time my insulators, boots and bumpers were damaged. so i had to put it together again and wait for the new parts.

its not a guarantee that they will be fine....

[aggieanton]

Where can I pick up a set of bumpers/ insulators? I'm doing the same thing and my stock set is pretty bad.

[Celicam8]

autozone will have it, or order online best way to go is polyurathane

[k-weaver]

I actually used my stock bumpers, they seemed to be in good shape with no rips or cracks. As for the bottom insulators, I replaced those. Mine were cracked and looked like they were falling apart. I got the news from the dealer, I think they were about 10 bucks a piece.

One thing I noticed also which I was not expecting was that the stock struts were KYB's? While I was pulling it out my hand whiped off some of the dirt and I noticed it had "Toyota" stamped on it but it also said "KYB Gas Strut". I would have never assumed that it would have had stock KYB's?