Tokico's and brakes done...

[AZhitman]

Well, my DIY weekend didn't quite last long enough to get ALL of the goodies done. But I did get the Tokico blue installed in the rer and the new rear brake pads installed.

MAJOR difficulties with the strut installation. DAE, the pix you sent showed the spring/strut assy out of the car assembled: Is there a difference between the 90-93 and the 94-96? In your pix, the spring sets on the bottom perch of the strut and there is some sort of perch at the top as well, to allow assembly OFF the car. However, when I pulled mine, the shock shaft that extends into the trunk has no such perch, necessitating on-car compression of the spring to allow installation of the strut... MAJOR PIA. Not much room for a spring compressor in that fenderwell, and the control arms (?) get in the way a lot... If there was a different way to put the assembly together OFF the car, then I'm gonna be torqued... It got done, but it took a LOT more time than I anticipated.

My mechanic and I went through 2 12-packs of Corona and some bloody knuckles - But had a great time.

Any chance the fronts will be easier? Need some guidance on these, as the front NOW feels floaty. I LOVE the rears - Wish you guys ALL could feel a Q with the Blues... Nice!

[DAEDALUS]

However, when I pulled mine, the shock shaft that extends into the trunk has no such perch, necessitating on-car compression of the spring to allow installation of the strut... MAJOR PIA. Not much room for a spring compressor in that fenderwell, and the control arms (?) get in the way a lot...

That sounds very odd! According to the parts diagrams I have, the '90 and the '95 should be very similar. Looks like the coil spring is different but the strut itself is the same. The part sheets I have do have errors, but it just sounds weird to change the design in that way. What shows up in the manual? I'm so curious to know what could have caused such a difference. The fact that the same strut is used, with a threaded end, suggests the same design intent. Were the struts you pulled out original black Tokicos? What was the stack-up of parts above the spring? On mine, they are upper rubber seat, upper spring seat (with the 2 studs), bushing, upper plate, then the nut that came with the strut. I wonder if your struts were just missing the upper plate, which acts like a washer against the nut to keep everything below it together. Or maybe it was all that Corona distorting reality? If I drank a 12-pack everytime I got under the hood, I'd have a lot of trouble changing the oil. Darn filter.

[DAEDALUS]

The fronts *should* be easier. Book time is less--you don't have to remove any paneling or work around so many suspension links. But if you have to get in there with compressors before removing the shock assys, then I really don't know if that would be easier or harder in the front well. Procedure--from a '90, and assuming you don't have to compress the spring on the car:

1. Remove the plastic cap covering the upper strut retaining nut2. Loosen (don't remove) the retaining nut with a deep driver (14mm I think, maybe 12mm)3. Undo the 2 upper mounting nuts on the shock tower until they're 3 threads from coming off (12 mm)4. Remove the lower shock nut (17mm or 19mm)5. Pry or impact the strut to remove it from the link stud6. Support the strut and remove the upper retaining nuts completely, then remove the strut from the car7. Mark the spring to show alignment of spring cap studs relative to lower mount8. Compress the spring, and remove the retaining nut9. Remove components from strut like a shish-kabob, and replace as necessary in like order, noting correct orientation10. Tighten new retaining nut to 13-17 ft-lbs11. Place assembly on car and start threads on upper studs12. Fasten lower nut to 80-94 ft-lbs13. Tighten upper mounting nuts to 30-35 ft-lbs14. Replace plastic top cap

[DenverQ]

Did you take the trunk seperator out? The one that has the gas tank behind it? In my 94 I had to take the rear trunk part out and then unbolt 2 bolts to release the struts just like the front.

PS sorry I didnt send my DOC work sucked last week

[AZhitman]

What shows up in the manual? I'm so curious to know what could have caused such a difference. The fact that the same strut is used, with a threaded end, suggests the same design intent. Were the struts you pulled out original black Tokicos? What was the stack-up of parts above the spring? On mine, they are upper rubber seat, upper spring seat (with the 2 studs), bushing, upper plate, then the nut that came with the strut. I wonder if your struts were just missing the upper plate, which acts like a washer against the nut to keep everything below it together.

Perhaps instead of removing the nut on top of the strut shaft I should have removed the two bolts to either side that PRESUMABLY would release the "upper plate" you speak of... Thereby allowing assembly OFF CAR... Damn - if that's the difference, I'm gonna be PISSED. Oh well, live and learn.

[DenverQ]

Thats what I meant the 2 nuts and u would have had release the strut. Sorry man =(

[AZhitman]

Boy do I feel stupid.

Now I'm even more inclined to do the fronts, knowing there's an easier way... Damn.

Damn, damn, damn.

[Q451990]

I'm thinking that's the difference. The entire spring and shock assembly can be removed with the two outer nuts taken off and the bottom bolt removed. Then you install the spring compressor to hold the spring in place, remove the middle nut from the top bushing, and replace...

Hey, at least you'll know for the fronts!

Heath

[AZhitman]

Grrrr.

[Aus94Q45]

Alright, so you did it the hard way . . . always two ways to skin a cat. Actually that is quite a feat to install the struts with the upper mounts on the car! I cannot imagine trying to get the spring compressors up there. Glad you got them in. SO, how much difference with the blues on the back??

[DAEDALUS]

Actually that is quite a feat to install the struts with the upper mounts on the car! I cannot imagine trying to get the spring compressors up there.

My thoughts exactly. Rest assured that you are one of a very small group who could figure out something like that. The next time I post a site, print it out before going home on Friday!

[AZhitman]

The next time I post a site, print it out before going home on Friday!

The sad part is, I DID! Apparently I didn't read thoroughly...

LOVE the ride now with the blues in the rear. Don't believe ANYONE who says they're too stiff - It's dead-on perfect in my opinion. I can't wait to put the blues on the front now (the RIGHT way).

Incidentally, I had never removed the trunk divider panel before... What an incredibly beautiful sight!! You guys may think I'm strange, but the clean design of the fuel tank & support straps, the way the fuel lines are run so perfectly parallel, the cleanliness of the body joint welds back there, the design of the cross-body brace, the neatness of the wiring, etc. All very impressive... I even had my wife crawl in to look - She agreed it was very attractive and said, "Oh great - Now you're gonna want to put lights and a plexiglass trunk panel in it!"

Domestic products should have to pass that level of scrutiny.

[reggiegsd]

The rear struts are an easy job and I think every one screws it up the first time. I pulled mine and didn't realize the left and right strut assemblies are different. I spent two hours and invented a whole new language before I noticed the red and white "R" and "L" painted on the struts.

"Anything that can go wrong, will go wrong."

[911/Q45]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by AZhitman

You guys may think I'm strange, but the clean design of the fuel tank & support straps, the way the fuel lines are run so perfectly parallel, the cleanliness of the body joint welds back there, the design of the cross-body brace, the neatness of the wiring, etc. All very impressive... I even had my wife crawl in to look

Way too many Coronas Hitman, way too many!

[AZhitman]

I noticed the red and white "R" and "L" painted on the struts.

No such lettering on the Tokico's... Interesting.

[Chally]

AZ, I nearly died laughing... you must've been really mad by the time you got them in.

We all have our dumb stories, but most of us are too chicken to tell others.

Good luck with the fronts.

NB. I ordered the rears on the 24th Jan & got them on the 3rd Feb. I'm in Australia & that is GREAT service.Now waiting for the fronts.

[AZhitman]

Glad I brightened your day... I think:D

I made sure to tell Rob at Group A that he had better take good care of all my NICO buddies - or else!