struts etc

[mettler]

I did my struts last weekend..definitely a two person job, and taking off all the interior stuff in the back sucks. But, the toks fit well, and it rides very nice. I did knock one of the heater wires off of the rear window. I haven't tried the rear defrost since then. I am not sure if it is one long circuit or three/four separate ones. I only replaced the front mounts.

[99BlackSandv6]

^Your radio antenna is also on the rear glass.
So check that your defrost works and if your radio is clean.

[02slera]

I did my struts last weekend..definitely a two person job, and taking off all the interior stuff in the back sucks. But, the toks fit well, and it rides very nice. I did knock one of the heater wires off of the rear window. I haven't tried the rear defrost since then. I am not sure if it is one long circuit or three/four separate ones. I only replaced the front mounts.

It's usually advised to replace the rear mounts. Mainly because there is so much involved in removing them and you really only want to do that once, but i hope your rear mounts hold up for you.

[mettler]

So, as you can see I have had the Tokico struts since Feb and recently they are making some serious noise up front. I searched around the web and found that this is almost a common thing. Has anyone else had this problem? It sounds like the main strut bolt is loose, but I checked that. The car still drives/rides great, so I don't think the struts are already bad...it is just the rattling over small bumps drives me crazy. I am going to try the grease thing that Tokico recommended, but from the other threads I can't seem to find out if it actually worked.

[indiglosolara]

I had my tokico's on for a while before switching to coilovers.
Didn't make any noise. Had them on for 5 years before making any changes.

[Gregtrd]

Did you make sure you lined up the notch from the strut mount to the strut shaft, that's most likely your problem. If you take them back a part I bet the notch is destroyed, easily over looked, is this your first time doing solara struts? I had my tokico for 7yr and never made noise but all were blown.

[mettler]

if I take them apart and the notch is destroyed is there anything to do? I replaced the mounts, but I honestly don't recall if I did that or not.

[Gregtrd]

The struts should be okay, but the mounts might be done.

[mettler]

thanks, I'll try to check them out this weekend..at least it is the front..those were easy.

[Gregtrd]

The rears also have the notch.

[mettler]

we must have got those..the fronts are where the noise is coming from..sounds just like a bad strut..knocks when going slow over small bumps. I wonder if I can grind the notch off if it is destroyed. I guess I will have to see what I am working with first

thanks

[02slera]

i believe the notch is needed so that you can tighten the nut at the top of the shaft, without the notch to lock the shaft into the upper mount you cannot tighten the nut on top of the shaft because the shaft will simply spin. the notch makes it so that the shaft cannot spin without the upper mount, and therefore makes it possible to tighten the nut at the top.

[TheGreenDutch]

yeah man I have that horrible sound in the back.Like metal on metal clunking. Just ordered some quick struts on ebay.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayI ... &viewitem=

If you order directly they give you a bit of a discount. I'm sure these aren't as superior in quality as the Tockico or KYB's but right now with close to 160k on the odo im not too concerned. Just need to get that annoying clunk fixed. Plus its complete with mounts, shocks and springs for under 180 a set.

[mettler]

have fun doing the rear..it is a pain in the neck taking all the molding down and trying to get a wrench in there to tighten the bolts..be VERY careful of the electric heater wire for the rear window..when you are trying to flex the one mold piece in order to fit it in it can snap the solder joint...you'll see what I am talking about when you get there.

[TheGreenDutch]

cool Mettler thanks for the tip. I'll be working on this with my uncle so every little detail counts. Did you get the same ebay ones or did you go with a different setup?