Replacing front struts...Do I need a spring compressor? - Toyota Yaris Forums

detroiter · 09-05-2012, 10:38 AM

Well I decided since my mechanic keeps giving me the run around, I'm tired of waiting on him to do my front struts. I'll just do it myself. I was wondering since I already have teins on the tokicos that are coming OFF of the car, do I need a spring compressor to use or are the teins short enough that one isn't needed? Anything I should be careful of? I've taken the shocks/struts off of my car before but I never actually changed the springs off of the struts, I've always had a shop do it.

Basically, I'm tired of my wallet getting raped and it's time to put an end to it and do it myself.

WeeYari · 09-05-2012, 10:48 AM

Teins are short enough that the job 'can' be done without a compressor. A second set of hands with you will help a great deal.

detroiter · 09-05-2012, 10:57 AM

Thanks! I really need some car friends, I'm tired of always having to wrench by myself lol

fnkngrv · 09-05-2012, 11:05 AM

yup...second set of hands reduces risks and frustrations!

suckerface · 09-05-2012, 11:42 AM

FYI (if you aren't already aware), you can get a spring compressor for "free" at most auto parts stores, just a $50 deposit you get back when you return them.

detroiter · 09-05-2012, 12:29 PM

im setting off out into the driveway to start the journey...wish me luck!

suckerface · 09-05-2012, 12:38 PM

Good luck! Hop in MI chat if you want any immediate answers too!

sex · 09-05-2012, 12:42 PM

Why are you replacing the tokicos? Worn out or going with something else?

WeeYari · 09-05-2012, 12:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by detroiter

I've taken the shocks/struts off of my car before

Since this is the hardest part, and you've done it before, this job will be a piece of cake.

b20vteg · 09-05-2012, 01:29 PM

really, the hardest part if the top 2 nuts on top... those things are a bitch!

detroiter · 09-05-2012, 04:25 PM

Ended up just taking it into a local shop. The bolts on the thing were far beyond any hand wrench tools. Ended up finding a busted lug too from the tire shop that put my tires on recently. I can't complain though...the shop charged me $100 out the door to do the front struts and replace the broken lug.

I replaced the suspension all the way around because the ride was awful. The tokicos had nearly 100,000 miles on them. And for Michigan roads, that really says something.

b20vteg · 09-05-2012, 04:27 PM

so how does it ride on stock struts? not bad, right?

suckerface · 09-05-2012, 04:38 PM

$100 isn't bad, I would have it done for that price just to save me the time and the drive to my buddy's house for tools and help (plus the cost of beer).

09-05-2012, 10:38 AM	#1
detroiter Drives: 2008 Polar White LB Auto Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Metro Detroit Posts: 1,238	Replacing front struts...Do I need a spring compressor? Well I decided since my mechanic keeps giving me the run around, I'm tired of waiting on him to do my front struts. I'll just do it myself. I was wondering since I already have teins on the tokicos that are coming OFF of the car, do I need a spring compressor to use or are the teins short enough that one isn't needed? Anything I should be careful of? I've taken the shocks/struts off of my car before but I never actually changed the springs off of the struts, I've always had a shop do it. Basically, I'm tired of my wallet getting raped and it's time to put an end to it and do it myself. __________________ I live my life a quarter pounder at a time. And for those 500 calories or more, I'm free. I need FRIES! Two of them. The big ones. Oh, and I need them tonight. You're lucky the double shot of BBQ sauce didn't blow the seam on your nugget box. There she is, 2 pounds of pure beef. My dad ate it in 9.0 seconds flat. Check it out, it's like this. If I lose, winner takes my happy meal. But if I win, I take the burger and the toy. To some people, that's more important.

09-05-2012, 10:48 AM	#2
WeeYari View User's Garage Drives: 06 Polar White 5dr, 13 Soul 4u Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Georgetown, Ontario, Canada Posts: 5,809	Teins are short enough that the job 'can' be done without a compressor. A second set of hands with you will help a great deal. __________________

09-05-2012, 10:57 AM	#3
detroiter Drives: 2008 Polar White LB Auto Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Metro Detroit Posts: 1,238	Thanks! I really need some car friends, I'm tired of always having to wrench by myself lol __________________ I live my life a quarter pounder at a time. And for those 500 calories or more, I'm free. I need FRIES! Two of them. The big ones. Oh, and I need them tonight. You're lucky the double shot of BBQ sauce didn't blow the seam on your nugget box. There she is, 2 pounds of pure beef. My dad ate it in 9.0 seconds flat. Check it out, it's like this. If I lose, winner takes my happy meal. But if I win, I take the burger and the toy. To some people, that's more important.

09-05-2012, 11:05 AM	#4
fnkngrv Mr. 155 and climbing View User's Garage Drives: Seriously Modded 07 Sedan Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: In The Hotbox Posts: 4,742	yup...second set of hands reduces risks and frustrations! __________________ Team Tiamat Racing on Facebook Youtube Channel: Team Tiamat Racing *Class record holder in Land Speed @ 154.5mph for 1.5 mile and 145.5mph in the mile in the F (2.016 to 3.014 L), G (1.524 to 2.015 L), and H (1.016 to 1.523 L) classes.*

09-05-2012, 11:42 AM	#5
suckerface #1 Lemming Drives: Light Blue '08 Yaris Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Milwaukee, WI Posts: 760	FYI (if you aren't already aware), you can get a spring compressor for "free" at most auto parts stores, just a $50 deposit you get back when you return them. __________________

09-05-2012, 12:29 PM	#6
detroiter Drives: 2008 Polar White LB Auto Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Metro Detroit Posts: 1,238	im setting off out into the driveway to start the journey...wish me luck! __________________ I live my life a quarter pounder at a time. And for those 500 calories or more, I'm free. I need FRIES! Two of them. The big ones. Oh, and I need them tonight. You're lucky the double shot of BBQ sauce didn't blow the seam on your nugget box. There she is, 2 pounds of pure beef. My dad ate it in 9.0 seconds flat. Check it out, it's like this. If I lose, winner takes my happy meal. But if I win, I take the burger and the toy. To some people, that's more important.

09-05-2012, 12:38 PM	#7
suckerface #1 Lemming Drives: Light Blue '08 Yaris Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Milwaukee, WI Posts: 760	Good luck! Hop in MI chat if you want any immediate answers too! __________________

09-05-2012, 12:42 PM	#8
sex View User's Garage Drives: 09 5DR Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: NY Posts: 310	Why are you replacing the tokicos? Worn out or going with something else?

09-05-2012, 01:29 PM	#10
b20vteg no show, no go :( Drives: 2012 yaris 3dr hb Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: maricopa, az Posts: 369	really, the hardest part if the top 2 nuts on top... those things are a bitch! __________________

09-05-2012, 04:25 PM	#11
detroiter Drives: 2008 Polar White LB Auto Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Metro Detroit Posts: 1,238	Ended up just taking it into a local shop. The bolts on the thing were far beyond any hand wrench tools. Ended up finding a busted lug too from the tire shop that put my tires on recently. I can't complain though...the shop charged me $100 out the door to do the front struts and replace the broken lug. I replaced the suspension all the way around because the ride was awful. The tokicos had nearly 100,000 miles on them. And for Michigan roads, that really says something. __________________ I live my life a quarter pounder at a time. And for those 500 calories or more, I'm free. I need FRIES! Two of them. The big ones. Oh, and I need them tonight. You're lucky the double shot of BBQ sauce didn't blow the seam on your nugget box. There she is, 2 pounds of pure beef. My dad ate it in 9.0 seconds flat. Check it out, it's like this. If I lose, winner takes my happy meal. But if I win, I take the burger and the toy. To some people, that's more important.

09-05-2012, 04:27 PM	#12
b20vteg no show, no go :( Drives: 2012 yaris 3dr hb Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: maricopa, az Posts: 369	so how does it ride on stock struts? not bad, right? __________________

09-05-2012, 04:38 PM	#13
suckerface #1 Lemming Drives: Light Blue '08 Yaris Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Milwaukee, WI Posts: 760	$100 isn't bad, I would have it done for that price just to save me the time and the drive to my buddy's house for tools and help (plus the cost of beer). __________________

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
lowering spring specs for Yaris	botchilah	Wheels, Tires and Suspension Forum sponsored by The Tire Rack	20	03-22-2017 09:47 AM
TRD spring install pics	tristan	Photo-Video-Media Gallery	10	02-20-2009 11:33 PM
ideal spring rates for coil-overs on Yaris	botchilah	Wheels, Tires and Suspension Forum sponsored by The Tire Rack	30	01-27-2009 05:24 PM
TANABE DF210 Spring Install [pics]	Chris07LB	DIY / Maintenance / Service	148	07-16-2007 10:26 PM
Front End Alignment after Spring Install?	OK Yaris	Wheels, Tires and Suspension Forum sponsored by The Tire Rack	12	08-26-2006 08:46 PM