Suspension Upgrade 99 V6 - What else?

[RTTFM]

I'm about to order some parts for my girlfriend's Solara. I'm not a solara guy so I could use some help. I've got a heavily modded TT and have done some work on my 4Runner so I have somewhat of a clue with mods and Toyotas.

I've done some reading here and I've narrowed it down to Eibach springs ($226) and either KYB ($309) or Tokico ($349) struts. I'm leaning towards the Tokicos but I'm open to suggestions... Except for coilovers. Don't need 'em.

Is there anything else I should pick up to replace? Strut bearings? Bushings? Car has 90k+ miles. Anybody have a better (prices) source?

[unbalancedwood]

You shouldnt need anything else, maybe some grease for regreasing your bearings. Most people, including myself have Tokico struts, and Eibach/TRD/TEIN springs are also good matches, dont go for the 'unknown' names that usually never work out right with the solaras.

The 'Case by Case Study' for lowering your car

Heres a tutorial for installation
Theres a few more lying around, just use the search...

[SolaraBlue]

^^^ pretty much what he said. youll be fine with any combination of trd,eibach,tein springs and trd,kyb,tokico struts. also if youre going to do the solara's suspension, you cant forget the trd rear sway bar. best mod for the money and will make a great diff.

[RTTFM]

I can't find any pricing on the springs from TRD. Are they in line with eibachs?

[RTTFM]

Gotta keep the costs down for now. Upgrading the swaybar on my TT made a world of difference. I imagine it has a similar effect on the Solara. If it was *my* car.... lol.

[RTTFM]

I was reading the writeup on the TRD upgrade and I saw this line:

You will also be installing a vibration isolator onto the shock hat.


Is this a part that comes with the kit or do I need to order it separately?

[---CAMRAZY---]

Thats only for the TRD struts, but the isolator is hard to find.

[SolaraBlue]

I can't find any pricing on the springs from TRD. Are they in line with eibachs?

yep, trd's ARE eibachs and a hell of a lot easier to find. check ebay for "trd solara" i always see a set of rear TRD springs for $50.
for a set of tein or eibach springs look to spend $150-$200 or so....

rear trd springs (dont know if theyre knock-offs or what)
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/New-TRD- ... enameZWDVW

[CamryOnBronze]

I think those TRD springs are so cheap because the seller only has rears, I emailed him a couple weeks back and he said he cant get fronts, only rears. Same thing with struts... so personally I would avoid that and buy something else, since it is going to be very hard to find just front struts/springs...

Check the condition of your strut mounts while youre in there, at this mileage it wouldnt be a bad idea to replace those while youre in there. I know when i did struts/springs on my camry I did strut tower brace, rear sway bar, strut mounts and strut boots all at once...

[unbalancedwood]

Get either TEIN (usually 165shipped) or Eibachs ($250shipped)

And Tokico Struts here $320shipped
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/TOKICO-H ... enameZWDVW

Get those and you wont need anything else. I would just go for the TEIN cause they cheaper

[that1mexguy]

i would actually recommend TEINs. That's what I have and when compared to my homeboy's ride (he had eibachs) it was a better ride ... and cost less. Tein is a good brand and there are a lot of us here that use them.

[Mole]

OP: is it an Audi TT ?

[Solarafreek]

^ I know what I think of when I here TT, lol.

[RTTFM]

>OP: is it an Audi TT ?

Ya.

[RTTFM]

Eibach vs TEIN poster:

Did you both have the same tires and struts? I found that tires made all the difference. I'm running H&R and I hated them at first. Got some decent rubber and it smoothed the harshness right out. Eibach/Bilstein Sports are the combo of choice on the Audi side (for those not on coilovers).