How not to install Tokicos in your Q

[louiegz]

Well, where should I start? I had all original shocks and bushings on my Q. I decided to have Tokicos, rear sway kit, and t-rods, I have a friend of mine and he owns a Meineke so I knew he would take care of me and gives me a good price. I took it to him and he said the pads were low and I knew I was up for new rotors too, so add brakes and rotors on the list. He gives me a price of $550.00 for the labor. So I get all my OEM parts from Joe, and I got my Tokicos from Alex of Southwest and took my car in on Tuesday. He said it would take 2 days. Later that day he called that he was almost done and I would have my car that day. I was happier that flies on poo. He calls me back a half hour later and he told me that he had a problem with one of the rear struts. His tech took my car in for a test drive and started to hear a thud from the rear passenger strut. He reinstalled it to see if he did anything wrong. When he took it out, it lost all its fluid and the piston came loose. Well we all figured that it was just defective. I called Alex to see about a replacement under warrantee. He sent me a new strut and I was going to send the busted one back. Two days later, I get the replacement strut back and it’s ready to install in the car. My friend decides to read the paper that comes with the strut. It said that not to scratch the piston of the strut or if would be bad for the strut. He found out his tech used a Quick-lock wrench on the piston while tightening the top nut on the piston. They installed that one right but then they noticed that now the driver’s side rear one is leaking and was making a thud sound. Now I have to call Alex today to get a new replacement for that one. Thank god he didn’t mess up my front ones. Lucky for me, my friend will cover the cost of the replacement struts. I feel bad that he has to pay for it, but business is business. Hopefully, I’ll get the strut on Monday or Tuesday and I can get my alignment on Wednesday. So all you DIYers out there, DON”T SCRATCH THE PISTON! I will report later on how the job came out.

[AZhitman]

What a dumbarse.

That's grounds for firing - that applies to ALL shocks, not just the ones for the Q! Cripes, it has a flat spot on the top of the shaft for that very purpose!!!

[maxnix]

Pretty SOP not to gouge the shaft because of sealing isssues.

Enjoy the new set-up! I do.

[911/Q45]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by AZhitman "]What a dumbarse.

Worse than the guy that undid the top nuts before dismounting the rear struts?:D

[Mr1der]

that is pretty tarded, but your friend is definitely a friend.

[AZhitman]

Originally posted by AZhitman "]What a dumbarse.

Worse than the guy that undid the top nuts before dismounting the rear struts?:D

Yep.

And DEFINITELY more retarded than the guy who did an "on-car" swap with the spring compressor....

[elwesso]

HAHA!

What a retard... OH well at least it wasnt you who did it, then we'd have to REALLY laugh at you!!

[AZhitman]

Hmmmmm..... never mind.

[elwesso]

Then again, the suspension was the only thing I DIDNT DIY besides oil changes and other obvious things.....

[NissanLunatic]

L, your other strut left today...should be there in a few days.Thanks again for your business!Alex

[Jesda]

Ack, I see myself doing the same thing. *putting toolbox away*

[Jeff Williams]

Don't let that guy change a light bulb, he might use a hammer.

LOL

[HeavyDuty]

D'oh! Too bad. He's a good argument for banning the use of forceps in the delivery room!

[ScottJackson]

I just put new tokico blues in my 91 Q, pretty easy really. I had to take them to a local shop to have the springs changed out since I don't have a compressor though. On my 92 active Q, I'd like to replace the dust boots to make the shocks/actuators last as long as possible for obvious reasons. How difficult is it to remove them and put on new dust covers? As far as this thread, yeah, the guy that chewed up the rod made a VERY elementary error.

[Jeff Williams]

I just put new tokico blues in my 91 Q, pretty easy really. I had to take them to a local shop to have the springs changed out since I don't have a compressor though. On my 92 active Q, I'd like to replace the dust boots to make the shocks/actuators last as long as possible for obvious reasons. How difficult is it to remove them and put on new dust covers? As far as this thread, yeah, the guy that chewed up the rod made a VERY elementary error.

On my 94, the dust boots go on, before the springs do. If your active is the same way, then you have to disassemlbe everything to change the boots. No different in labor, than replacing the struts.

Sorry for the bad news.

[ScottJackson]

I don't mind removing them and having the spring taken off to put the new dust boot on, I just wonder what to do with the active lines that attach to the tops of the struts. Can the just be removed and reattached with no worries or will I need to have the system recharged with something or something like that?