Shock Absorber Inserts For Front Struts

[corollaTE27Fan]

Can anyone verify the maximum diameter for shock inserts that fit the standard KE20 front struts.

I ordered some KYB rear MR2 AW11 inserts for my lowered KE20 standard front struts.

The supplier has sent me Sachs branded shock inserts and the diameter measures 45mm which I think is too big.

Does anyone know what the diameter of the comparable KYB AW11 rear strut inserts is as I believe they may be a little smaller in diameter.

I don't really want to take my current shock inserts out just to find they are too big.

Any help appreciated.

 

Thanks fellas

[parrot]

http://www.rollaclub.com/board/topic/47576-choice-of-aftermarket-ke20-shocks/

 

I did warn you they were too big.

 

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Toyota-Corolla-KE20-KE25-KE30-KE35-KE38-KE50-KE55-Front-Shock-Strut-Insert-KYB-/281873177453

 

If you ask nicely they may give you a diameter measurement

[corollaTE27Fan]

Yeah I know but Olds Cool Autos in New Zealand were going to send me a lowering kit which comprised Mk2 Escort rear shocks and MR2 AW11 Early model) rear inserts (for the front) but the price was sky high compared to what I could source them for here in the UK.

 

I have tried to get the diameter of the inserts from various suppliers and they are all so unhelpful however nice you ask.

 

Just need to get an idea of how big the KYB's are or how big the diameter of the strandard KE20 strut is.

 

Puzzled as to why this info is such a closely guarded secret.

[styler]

Well its not closely guarded, its just complicated when it comes to inserts. Especially with the ke2x series.

The inserts have to be the right diameter, length, gland nut and top nut. Then the right extended and

compressed length to suit your ride height stock/lowered. There are only a few inserts that might work

when modified for ke2x and they are not common anyway. The ke2x cannot take 45mm, its slightly smaller,

I will measure them soon and let you know. Look I don't want to dampen your mood but building a set

of proper struts can take a bit of work with ride height, spring rate, travel and the rest, especially coilovers.

I'm going to give you a hint here and ask... if you cannot find inserts for your struts what would you do?

[parrot]

Strut insert manufacturers make a product for a given application and list it. They have no need to give a variety of dimensions as there is no need. A tiny fraction of people in the world are trying to do what you are and want that info. And when your vehicle is over 40 years old, you have virtually no hope. Consider yourself fortunate even finding a listing for it.

 

Quite seriously, over years on forums, it would have to be the most common question I have seen asked for various models. Especially AE86's and KE70 etc.

 

In my AE86 which has larger diameter struts than KE20, I've got SW20 inserts in the front which took a lot of research to work out. I can't remember if they are fronts or rears, which isn't relevant to you, but someone saying they did this or they did that - people forget and stuff it up. There is so much misinformation flying about. In the end I got so confused and did what I should have done in the first place and asked Gabe at technotoytuning. He manufactured the special non standard gland nut you need with these struts and also puts the strut at the bottom of the housing so you don't pound out the valves.

 

In the rear I have Holden Commodore station wagon Bilsteins!

 

Go to a specialist locally and get them to come up with something for you. Otherwise you basically need to accept the need to change your strut to something else which as previously advised is not quite so simple either. At least then you have a range of insert options.

 

 

 

I am very confident your KE20 insert will be 38mm, but I don't have one I can measure.

[corollaTE27Fan]

Thanks chaps, Pete - i do value your wisdom but I am just a bit miffed that a Corolla specialist in these matters in NZ was going to sell me a full kit for what I want to do and they made it quite clear that they had fitted the kit to many cars.

The Sachs struts I have will be going back and I will have one last try with the KYB brand.

I just wish we had the access to Corolla expertise that you guys have, fortunately I have found a contact over here who is re-building a KP61 Starlet using a mixture of various Toyota and Ford Escort stuff.

I found out recently as well that my car is only one of about 24 here in the UK and only 8 appear to be on the road.

[parrot]

When I answered on your other thread a while back, googling around there was some reference I believe to an earlier model having a smaller diameter strut. Not sure if it was front or rear. This may be what the NZ guys were using? Road and Track in Queensland (terryo on this forum, or Terry O'Beirne) was involved in those Google threads hence my mentioning him. He runs a reputable tuning modification business up there on modern and older Toyotas amongst others. Terry also runs at least one original FXGT AE82 Group A car in historic touring cars and built up the KE15 race car the Toyota Heritage Facebook guy runs. He would know how to do the front. Perhaps talk to him? Perhaps you need to bite the bullet and pay the money to the NZ guys? The difficulty you will otherwise have is locating a set of the right AW11 inserts independently.

 

The rear is much easier, your primary concerns are length and stroke and diameter isn't a restriction. I've sourced some TRD rears and also some KYB 8 ways from Japan. Used but in good condition. But I can't imagine you will have any issues sourcing escort items in UK. I can measure length and stroke on my rears if required. Then just get your rear springs reset.

Edited April 24, 2016 by parrot

[parrot]

Also if you are determined to source the inserts locally, I gather there is an active MR2 scene locally in the UK. You could try them (with usual warnings of buyer beware!). You might think it easy in Australia to source stuff - it isn't! Once I knew exactly the strut inserts I needed for the AE86 I sourced them from the US and saved $150

[styler]

There is one insert that has a very short body, small diameter and shorter stroke, its from an early vw rabbit.

Some of the early mr2 stuff was discontinued when I looked a few years back trying to get inserts. Look up

"short stroke" inserts, which are more common as an aftermarket race listing with dimensions eg trd.

[corollaTE27Fan]

Thanks for the replies chaps - appreciate the help and encouragement.

[corollaTE27Fan]

Well, after almost 3 years faffing around I finally have the suspension sorted - if anyone is interested, for my 1974 KE20 coupe (Jap spec), MR2 Mk1 strut inserts worked with a turned brass spacer the same size as a 22mm copper compression fitting nut in the front and Mk2 Escort rear shocks on the rear. Kept everything else standard with 1.5 inch lowering blocks. 

Currently running some period 13 inch 6J alloys with correct 110 bolt pattern and not to fat tyres with no issues with tyres protruding beyond or rubbing on arches.

Now looking to change front hubs and rear drums and drive shafts to get a better choice of Jap period wheels, hoping my KE30 shortened drive shafts in my KE20 axle with KE30 drums and back plates will work. Also hoping that the KP60/61 front hubs that I have will fit my standard KE20 front struts.

Also have a mildly tuned small port 4AGE being built for me here in the UK which should deliver about 180BHP which is more than enough for my needs as it will be used just as a road car which should fit nicely in front of my T50 5-speed gearbox when I can find the parts to re-condition it!

Photos to follow.

 

 

 

 

[Banjo]

Hi Keith,

               Glad you have it eventually all sorted.  I  remember following this thread some time ago, when working with another member on here with a stock standard KE25, for which we were considering all options possible.

Please post some pics of how it all finished up.  Love to see them.

Cheers Banjo

[parrot]

Same same. But most importantly (besides pics and a write up) what brand and part number were the inserts!

[corollaTE27Fan]

If I remember correctly the rear shocks were from KYB and the part number was 343020 and the front strut shock inserts were all so KYB and the part number was 363046.

The front strut shock inserts were 38mm diameter but about 20mm too short hence the need for some packing.

No pics though, wish I had taken some now to share.

 

Edited May 11, 2019 by corollaTE27Fan