Question about Tokico Shock/Spring replacement

[jarodrm5]

Hello all,

I'm getting ready to replace shocks and springs all around with the Tokico HPK-239 Shock and Spring kit. The question I have is this - my car has 140,000 miles on it and I think the suspension is original. I haven't taken the shocks/springs off yet, but I know there are bushings and rubber pieces, as well as the bump stop.

I ordered KYB Strut Boots and Strut mount kits for all four, but is there anything else that I will without a doubt need to replace? Specifically, are the inside strut bushing reusable, or will they need to be replaced as well? If I encounter anything after I disassemble, then I will tackle it at that time I guess. I would like to have everything in line before I do it since this is my daily driver.

Sorry about my noobness, but this is the first suspension job that I have done.

Thanks!

 

[jarodrm5]

A few more things I should probably add - the Tokico kit only includes the shocks and springs - nothing else. The strut boots include a bump stops, and I think that the new strut mounts do as well. I saw that they need to be trimmed, and I will be doing that.

The car is on stock rims.

 

[PieEyedPiper]

You'll need a camber kit for the rear. The DYI washer mod works just dandy.

 

[asexton6969]

Insulator or Isolator cushion. (every dealer has different names) Large rubber pad that goes on top or below the springs on the rear or front. I apologize I can't remember off the top of my head. I will try to remember to run down and take a look. I also left my laptop at work that has all the part numbers for that.

 

[jarodrm5]

Thanks guys - I will definitely be doing the DIY rear camber mod, and I will look into the insulator as well.

I'm just trying to get it right the first time to avoid disassembling it again

 

[SupremeDsm]

My friend put that set on his dsm and he didnt have to adjust his camber and also you can use all your factory pieces. Return that KYB Strut Boots and Strut mount kit because you wont need them. Good luck!!!

 

[c5chris]

I did mine over the weekend.

Depending on the condition of your stock parts, you might not need to buy anything else. You will need to cut some of your front bumpstop. I hacked out probably 20 cms from the bottom,

It will be great if you have access to air tools and a swivel adaptor for your 17mm socket. The bolts are hard to get to, esp the ones in the back (shock lower mount).

I also used a bottle jack to raise the back shocks to align with the mounting bolt. It is a pain but i found it easy to deal with using the bottle jack.

A spring compressor is available for rent at your local auto supply store. I bought mine at Harbor Freight for 12 bucks as the ones for rent around here are not the exact ones I needed for the job.

 

[jarodrm5]

Thanks for all of the advice guys. I'll try to post some before and after pics just in case anybody is interested. Maybe I'll make a tech article out of it, but I'm guessing I'll be too wore out to even think about it.

 

[jarodrm5]

I've got a quick question - any advice on removing the stabilizer bar nut? It is the one that is sort of like a ball joint, and the nut is just spinning, and there is nothing on the back that I can grab on to to keep it from spinning. I was hoping that I wouldn't get stuck already!

 

[c5chris]

There is a nut in the back of that joint. You can use an open box wrench to hold in place.

I've got a quick question - any advice on removing the stabilizer bar nut? It is the one that is sort of like a ball joint, and the nut is just spinning, and there is nothing on the back that I can grab on to to keep it from spinning. I was hoping that I wouldn't get stuck already!

 

[jarodrm5]

I'm an idiot - thanks man!

 

[DGajre777]

As said before replace the bumpstops, isloators, bushings.

 

[c5chris]

I'm an idiot - thanks man!

No problem bro. I would had not noticed it too since I used an impact wrench to remove it. I noticed it when I was installing the new set.