Final prep for suspension install

[unbalancedwood]

Well im planning on working on my car tommarrow, replacing the 109,000 mi struts and springs with some fairly new ones I got from Jon; JMSinMaryland this saturday. Again, thanks a lot man! Im going to rent a spring compressor from one of the auto[x] places in town, a torque wrench from Home Depot or Lowes and buy some pentrating oil and loc tight. Ive read these few articals over and over and i think ive got it down tight. Ive got all the jacks, lifts, etc....

But is there anything im forgetting? Anything you would also add or POINT OUT if it somthing pretty serious? Thanks a lot guys, your worlds of help!


The PDF of everything (torque, etc)

Back Seat Removal

Camry installation walkthru

[ThatVietGuy]

Watch out for the ABS sensor and you're good to go.

[Sparticus]

yeah, when you drop the back strut out, the hub will want to go down. There should be a wire connected to the wheel well and 1 bolt holding it there. (10mm i think) take that out so the wheel speed sensor wire doesn't get pulled. Mine did and i have no clue what i'm gonna do about it. Other than that you should be fine. Take the time while the back seats are out to clean it all down really good.

[lightear]

Do the fronts first. They are much easier to do. As you go through the front ones you'll realize how the brakes will pull down everything when you remove the strut. That gives you the idea why the rear ones would pull the ABS lines.

So, have couple thick useless text books underneath the rear ones or a jack to hold it up.

Other than that, take your time. If the front two takes too long stop for the day and take a break. Don't rush these things. Good luck and have fun.

[ThatVietGuy]

P.S. My install took 7 hours with two people, so I guess you can expect something around there

[Eye8Pussies]

^ 7 hours??? good god....it shouldn't take that long at all....the longest part was compressing the springs with a manual spring compressor


and more important than all the other tools that you listed would be an impact gun

[Ruski]

My install took 8 hours 2 people. its a pain so get a warm place to work, some pizza and prepare yourself.. Also Watch out for the sway bar links.. they are a pain. Had to replace my rear one So be careful

[---CAMRAZY---]

I have done 3 solaras in 8 hours in 1 day...... No spring compressors, don't need them...... But then again Just Camrys and Solaras I have probably done over 50.... And that is not naming all other cars and trucks I have lowered since I was 16, and now it has been 12 years since.... Just trying to do our society good.

Back on topic, you will be good.... Be patient, if you have any problems PM me.

[lightear]

PM him even if you don't have problems. I'm sure you have some questions in your mind.

I have done 3 solaras in 8 hours in 1 day...... No spring compressors, don't need them...... But then again Just Camrys and Solaras I have probably done over 50.... And that is not naming all other cars and trucks I have lowered since I was 16, and now it has been 12 years since.... Just trying to do our society good.

Back on topic, you will be good.... Be patient, if you have any problems PM me.

[SolaraGuy22]

I have done 3 solaras in 8 hours in 1 day...... No spring compressors, don't need them...... But then again Just Camrys and Solaras I have probably done over 50.... And that is not naming all other cars and trucks I have lowered since I was 16, and now it has been 12 years since.... Just trying to do our society good.

Back on topic, you will be good.... Be patient, if you have any problems PM me.

Road trip for me when I decide to get my coils lol

Man's got skillz

[unbalancedwood]

So I finally took started switching out my struts and springs and i came to a stop when i saw the driver side strut mount. If this is problem? I know its suppose to have a cut on both sides, but as you can see theres what look like cuts on the top of each side of the mounts. Whats up with this? Do i need to replace my mounts too?
-Adam

[hskrsolara]

I would recommend replacing all strut mounts at the same time as the suspension, as the mounts will fail over time. Might as well replace all 4 of them while you have it all apart.

[anttarz]

I would also recommend replacing mounts and lower insulators. The front strut mounts tend to wear quickly on solaras.

Be careful with the ABS sensors, my bro ripped one of mine out while removing a strut. Cost me $180.

Spring compressors are not necessary with a little muscle.

[hskrsolara]

go to autozone for the spring compressors...you get all your rental money back! they make the job much easier! Also, replace the sleeves i.e. strut boots while you have the mounts done.

[PXLpainter]

Yeah - it took me about 3 hours to sit there and drink beers and tequila while I watched Milt do all the damn work!!