Replacing oem springs,shocks - do I need to replace top hats?
01-05-15, 02:06 PM
#1
Pole Position
Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Ga
Posts: 251
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Replacing oem springs,shocks - do I need to replace top hats?
1992 sc400 I need to replace my shocks, springs, bump stops, and rubber boots.
Do I need to also replace the top hats (aka top mounts)?
Is there anything there to wear out?
I am going all oem with parts to restore original ride quality.
Any help/suggestions appreciated.
Thanks,
Alan
Do I need to also replace the top hats (aka top mounts)?
Is there anything there to wear out?
I am going all oem with parts to restore original ride quality.
Any help/suggestions appreciated.
Thanks,
Alan
01-05-15, 02:17 PM
#2
When I redid my suspension, I didn't replace the top hats/mounts. Thy usually are fine in both the front and the back.
Also, when you remove the Mc Pherson coilover in the fronts, it is not necessary to remove the control arm, all you gotta do is remove the shock mount, then you're able to shimmy the shock assembly out. It saves a chunk of time instead of having to deal with that grotescly long upper arm bolt...GL
Also, when you remove the Mc Pherson coilover in the fronts, it is not necessary to remove the control arm, all you gotta do is remove the shock mount, then you're able to shimmy the shock assembly out. It saves a chunk of time instead of having to deal with that grotescly long upper arm bolt...GL
01-05-15, 05:00 PM
#3
What SC400slide said...
when I replaced mine, the top hats was also in surprisingly good shape and shows no signs of deterioration. That and the OEM part was pretty expensive for a top hat. about $115 EACH was the lowest I could find from Lexus. That made the decision very simple to NOT replace them.
I am guessing you should not need to replace the bump stop as well unless it was driven on blown shocks for a very long time.
Definitely replace the dust boot (insulator) as this piece has the rubber cushion for the spring to seat to and that will restore ride quality. And also the new dust boot will protect the strut rod from road debris and rocks which will lengthen their life, I'm guessing on your car they are torn on each corner to some degree, all 4 boots on mine were torn up.
If it was my car I would ONLY replace the strut and insulator, and use the extra money to buy some new lower control arms. (I would like to joke that Lexus/ Toyota Control arms for the SC has got to be made of precious metal because their prices go up constantly!)
when I replaced mine, the top hats was also in surprisingly good shape and shows no signs of deterioration. That and the OEM part was pretty expensive for a top hat. about $115 EACH was the lowest I could find from Lexus. That made the decision very simple to NOT replace them.
I am guessing you should not need to replace the bump stop as well unless it was driven on blown shocks for a very long time.
Definitely replace the dust boot (insulator) as this piece has the rubber cushion for the spring to seat to and that will restore ride quality. And also the new dust boot will protect the strut rod from road debris and rocks which will lengthen their life, I'm guessing on your car they are torn on each corner to some degree, all 4 boots on mine were torn up.
If it was my car I would ONLY replace the strut and insulator, and use the extra money to buy some new lower control arms. (I would like to joke that Lexus/ Toyota Control arms for the SC has got to be made of precious metal because their prices go up constantly!)
01-06-15, 10:37 AM
#4
Pole Position
Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Ga
Posts: 251
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thanks for the input guys.
A little more info I should have mentioned earlier:
I replaced my suspension about 50K ago with the Gixxer Drew setup.
I didn't keep the old springs, bump stops, and such.
Now I have decided to go back to stock so will have to purchase the springs, etc.
And yes, the boots were a mess when I replaced the shocks earlier.
I believe (can't remember for sure, been a while) the top hats were all I
used of the old suspension.
Alan
A little more info I should have mentioned earlier:
I replaced my suspension about 50K ago with the Gixxer Drew setup.
I didn't keep the old springs, bump stops, and such.
Now I have decided to go back to stock so will have to purchase the springs, etc.
And yes, the boots were a mess when I replaced the shocks earlier.
I believe (can't remember for sure, been a while) the top hats were all I
used of the old suspension.
Alan
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Lukas99GS
Suspension and Brakes
32
03-25-21 02:48 PM
