Rear suspension struts
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From: california
Rear suspension struts
I found a leaking (got wet) on rear suspension strut (right side). Is it hard to replace it by myself ?, do i have to buy the whole component or just strut only ?, do i have to replace both sides no matter another side is still good or not ,what happens if i do not replace it , I don't feel any change while driving , please give me some idea . Thank you
If the strut has failed, you need to replace it and the other side at the same time. The rears are pretty simple, assuming you can get the car off the ground; you can search for a thread on changing them.
3 main pcs to the rear. The perch (mount), spring, and strut assembly. Yes you can do this yourself provided you have a good spring compressor. The rears springs are easier to compress vs the fronts though both can be deadly if something goes wrong. As stated above, change both.
Last edited by Pearlpower; Aug 16, 2008 at 08:50 AM.
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From: california
3 main pcs to the rear. The perch (mount), spring, and strut assembly. Yes you can do this yourself provided you have a good spring compressor. The rears springs are easier to compress vs the fronts though both can be deadly if something goes wrong. As stated above, change both.
Could you tell me more detail when you said "if something goes wrong..." I'm worry about it because I did not find any thread to show how replace rear strut , if i did not do it , how worse it woul be ? Thank you very much.
Last edited by Pearlpower; Aug 16, 2008 at 08:50 AM.
The dangerous and difficult part of the installation is the coil spring. The rear is easier vs the front as the front spring is beefier and thus under more load. A good spring compressor will be needed to compress the spring which will allow you to remove the center bolt which holds the entire assembly together. If the spring compressor gives while compressed it can become very dangerous, even fatal.
If you were to just purchase an aftermarket coilover assembly like Teins then it is a easy sway out and in.
If you were to just purchase an aftermarket coilover assembly like Teins then it is a easy sway out and in.
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My master
I am really chicken , i do not want to DIY this job , today I went to Discount tire store in Northridge ,I got an estimate from manager , $580 for labor only to replace 2 rear struts , he said it's an half day job , I went to a small local auto shop , the owner wanted $150 plus $55 aligment ( 2 hour job) . The big different labor and price , who can I trust? . Do you know someone can do it with reasonable price , i am living in Northridge Los Angeles . Thank you
I am really chicken , i do not want to DIY this job , today I went to Discount tire store in Northridge ,I got an estimate from manager , $580 for labor only to replace 2 rear struts , he said it's an half day job , I went to a small local auto shop , the owner wanted $150 plus $55 aligment ( 2 hour job) . The big different labor and price , who can I trust? . Do you know someone can do it with reasonable price , i am living in Northridge Los Angeles . Thank you
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hey if your that worried why dont you just go to a lexus dealer?
i wouldnt let some sesame street discount tire shop do my work, id rather do it myself. go get your self a good lift kit and some spring compressors and have fun.
i wouldnt let some sesame street discount tire shop do my work, id rather do it myself. go get your self a good lift kit and some spring compressors and have fun.
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From: california
Discount tire store manager told me the rear seats must be removed to reach the upper mounts , it would take a lot of time , i lifted my car today and i saw upper mount should be in trunk . you have any idea ? Carson Toyota lists $175 for each rear strut . I am going to order and DIY after Labor day . Thank you .
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You are correct, the DTC manager is wrong. I'm curious, which DTC did you go to? The upper mount bolts (3 per side) are under the rear lining. No need to remove the entire thing, just enough to raise the sides and get a socket in there. 14mm. The center of the strut is attached to the body via 12mm bolts (2x). Then you have the lower bolt connected to the lower control arm. Ensure you remove the height sensor on the lower control arm which will allow you to have the room to remove the strut.
Generally the steps I take are:
Remove height sensor. 10mm socket and open end wrench needed.
Mark lower bolt which also determines the alignment. A new alignment is still recommended but at least you will come close.
You should be able to push down on control arm at this time
Remove upper 3 nuts -14mm
Then remove the center bolts. 12mm. The strut should come right out
Oh, don't forget to disconnect the brake hose -10mm needed.
I am sure I missed a couple of minor items as I am going off of memory.
Have fun and be careful of that spring.
Generally the steps I take are:
Remove height sensor. 10mm socket and open end wrench needed.
Mark lower bolt which also determines the alignment. A new alignment is still recommended but at least you will come close.
You should be able to push down on control arm at this time
Remove upper 3 nuts -14mm
Then remove the center bolts. 12mm. The strut should come right out
Oh, don't forget to disconnect the brake hose -10mm needed.
I am sure I missed a couple of minor items as I am going off of memory.
Have fun and be careful of that spring.
Last edited by Pearlpower; Aug 26, 2008 at 11:10 PM.
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My master.
I feel more confidence after reading your instruction . I am going to DIY after holiday . by the time to replace struts , do i have to replace something else like insulator , bolt, nut or strut housing ... because i saw alot of small stuffs in the list of Carson Toyota part .Thanks again
I feel more confidence after reading your instruction . I am going to DIY after holiday . by the time to replace struts , do i have to replace something else like insulator , bolt, nut or strut housing ... because i saw alot of small stuffs in the list of Carson Toyota part .Thanks again
Thread Starter
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From: california
My master.
Today , i went to Carson Toyota to pick up my struts , i met one guy at dealer , he gave me an auto shop in Santa Ana phone #, i called him , he wanted $70 labor for each plus $40 for 4 wheel computerized aligment , i let him do it , i sat overthere almost 2 hours and watching 2 guys working on my car , they did slowly , changing gloves manytimes to keep my trunk carpet clean .They found my left front strut started leaking and asked for the same labor cost with the rear one , they did not want to do aligment until the front struts replaced . It was a good deal for me . How long it would take me to DIY without professional tools like they had ?
I am going to buy front struts and let them do it.
Thank you
Today , i went to Carson Toyota to pick up my struts , i met one guy at dealer , he gave me an auto shop in Santa Ana phone #, i called him , he wanted $70 labor for each plus $40 for 4 wheel computerized aligment , i let him do it , i sat overthere almost 2 hours and watching 2 guys working on my car , they did slowly , changing gloves manytimes to keep my trunk carpet clean .They found my left front strut started leaking and asked for the same labor cost with the rear one , they did not want to do aligment until the front struts replaced . It was a good deal for me . How long it would take me to DIY without professional tools like they had ?
I am going to buy front struts and let them do it.
Thank you
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