Replacement all shocks and springs.
I was watching my box driving away, with my brother's family inside it, and I noticed it was riding very low in the back. I assume that the rear springs were fatigued after 18 years. (I suspected that the 1400 lbs. of flagstone, I had previously loaded into the back, over about 6-7 trips had some effect on those old springs), however, It seemed to look normal while parked, or driving with no backseat passengers. But I decided it was time for new parts.
I ordered a budget, after-market kit, of loaded front struts, and rear shocks from Ebay.
I couldn't find any after-market, non-lowering springs online, so I ordered O.E. rear springs, from a Toyota dealer in Massachusetts. It was cheaper than I could get locally.
The old rear shocks and springs - You can see how rusty the whole rear axle assembly is starting to look after 18 years as my winter/daily car. Seems to still function fine though.
Old and new, rear shocks, and springs.
To change out the rear hardware: I disconnected the rear shock, and used spring compressors on the old, and new springs, so I didn't have to press down too hard on the rear axle assembly, to change them out, (thereby not stressing the rear brake hose too much.) Used some blue thread-locker on the bottom shock nut. The top of the shock used a nylon locking nut.
For the fronts, the whole cowl and wiper assembly needed to come out to get at the strut tower hardware. Here is the area looking rusty, and dirty, before, and slightly better after.
Cowl and wiper assembly removed
Cowl and wiper assembly reinstalled, good to go.
Old and new struts.
The bottom of the new strut connects to the steering knuckle with 2 bolts, (I used blue thread locker). You also need to disconnect a bolt, on the back of the strut, securing the brake hose, and wheel speed sensor wire, and a plastic fastener, for the same wire. Some walkthroughs have you disconnecting the axle nut as well. I didn't find that necessary.
Torque specs:
Front top plate nuts (3 per side) 29 ft lbs.
Front lower strut nuts (2 per side) 97 ft lbs.
Front brake hose bolt (1 per side) 22 ft lbs.
Rear shock top nut (double nut to lock) 18 ft lbs.
Rear lower shock nut (1 per side) 36 ft lbs.
Project cost:
Loaded after-market strut kit from Ebay $183
New Toyota O.E. rear springs $216
Front alignment $73
Total cost : $472
I was curious, so I got a quote from an independent shop, for this job, and it was $2000.
