How To Upgrade Suspension...

[n0ve]

heya ive got a ae82 sedan, and I'm looking at fixing the sloppy handling..

initially i was just going to get a suspension place to install new springs but after quoting me $600 to do it, i thought its about time i learnt how to do it myself..

 

how hard is it to replace springs and shocks? i understand ill need a spring compressor but thats about all i know lol..

while I'm going to be playing with it all, i spose it'll be worthwhile to get swaybars, etc.. would it be a good idea to replace all the bushes aswell??

 

i want to get slightly lowered springs, new shocks and new wheels - i want to do this all properly and get all the suspension/wheel stuff done at once so i don't have to worry about stuff down the track..

 

I'm not that mechanically minded but I'm keen to learn so any help is appreciated.. cheers

[Raven]

The shocks require shock absorber inserts for the front anyway. Not sure about the rear of these cars.

 

So what you have to do is remove the strut from the car by compressing the spring and undoing all nuts and bolts that hold the strut to the front lower control arm and to the strut tower. Loosen off the strut top nut while its all in the car before you go compressing springs etc.

 

This will also require you to undo your brake caliper to get the strut out. Most calipers are held on by a clip and the brake hose runs through a tab on the strut, so you will have to undo your brake line which will then require you to bleed your brakes after the front is put back together.

 

The easiest way I have found to install new shock absorber inserts is to place the strut in a bench vice and undo the gland nut on top. The strut may or may not be oil-filled. If its oil-filled, tip out the oil and dispose of thoughtfully (not down the drain).

 

Now, depending on how much lower you are going depends on if you stick with standard length shock inserts or short stroke shock inserts. This is where you will need to do some research regarding spring length and whether it will be captive or not.

 

Once you've got your shock insert, its just a matter of placing the insert in the strut and tighten the gland nut that came with the shock insert down night and tight.

 

Once that is done, put your new spring on the spring seat and compress it if need be and install the strut top on the new shock insert at the top and refit to the car.

 

I THINK thats everything.

 

If I've missed something, someone point it out.

Edited April 17, 2008 by Raven

[tas_smurf]

Information looks excellent mate. I've not had the need to change springs in my corolla as yet, but I have changed them in my old sigma and apart from taking a bit of time, I didn't find it too difficult.

[4ages]

The shocks require shock absorber inserts for the front anyway. Not sure about the rear of these cars.

 

So what you have to do is remove the strut from the car by compressing the spring and undoing all nuts and bolts that hold the strut to the front lower control arm and to the strut tower. Loosen off the strut top nut while its all in the car before you go compressing springs etc.

 

This will also require you to undo your brake caliper to get the strut out. Most calipers are held on by a clip and the brake hose runs through a tab on the strut, so you will have to undo your brake line which will then require you to bleed your brakes after the front is put back together.

 

The easiest way I have found to install new shock absorber inserts is to place the strut in a bench vice and undo the gland nut on top. The strut may or may not be oil-filled. If its oil-filled, tip out the oil and dispose of thoughtfully (not down the drain).

 

Now, depending on how much lower you are going depends on if you stick with standard length shock inserts or short stroke shock inserts. This is where you will need to do some research regarding spring length and whether it will be captive or not.

 

Once you've got your shock insert, its just a matter of placing the insert in the strut and tighten the gland nut that came with the shock insert down night and tight.

 

Once that is done, put your new spring on the spring seat and compress it if need be and install the strut top on the new shock insert at the top and refit to the car.

 

I THINK thats everything.

 

If I've missed something, someone point it out.

 

 

To add, the rears are a complete unit. You will need to put the spring on with said spring compressors, and also allow the suspension to settle once it is in depending on load carried shouldn't be any longer than a couple of weeks.