Shocks & Struts

[devinlamothe]

OK so one of my shocks is dead, the rears are on their way out.

I went to my local shop and they want to put Monroe shocks and struts on, costing around $650. Are they a decent brand? Or am I better off getting something else? I don't really want to lower my car (1-2" MAX if it gets me a cheaper set).

Any suggestions let me know!

[XYaris]

Struts/shocks dont lower your car. Springs do. You could get Tokico Blues, a spring with a mild drop and possibly an install done for what they quoted you. Plus you'd have a better handling car in the end. Go to,

http://shop.microimageonline.com/Suspension_c4.htm

How many miles do you have on the stock shocks/struts?

[cali yaris]

Shocks don't affect the height of your car, the springs do that.

Tokicos $319 + $134 shipping USPS Priority = $453 USD = $462 CAD

Proven shock and a nice upgrade from stock.

[cali yaris]

ha beat me to it :smile:

[devinlamothe]

I have 161,000km or 100,000 miles.

So do shocks come with springs? Or do you have to buy them separately?

[WeeYari]

^ that would be a coilover.

[XYaris]

The springs will last the life of the car so you'll reuse them. If you just need to replace shocks/struts order the Tokico Blues and you'll be set.

ha beat me to it :smile: Maybe the plug will earn me a micro image sticker or two in that order?

[devinlamothe]

Actually you should get a sticker or something because I am definitely going to be purchasing them this Thursday (payday) lol.

[devinlamothe]

Now the mechanic said that I should get the 'bearing plates' replaced at the same time. Is this necessary? He added these on the estimate at the last minute so I'm not sure if they need to be replaced.

[XYaris]

Cool! See that Garm? Devin, be sure to let us know your impressions of the Blues once theyre installed. I intend to get them one day as well.

Someone else should address the 'bearing plates'. Beyond the scope of my knowledge.

[thebarber]

you *shouldn't* need bearing plates....whatever that is....hit many potholes?

[thebarber]

damn, id have sold you these stock ones i have for $200CAD plus shipping....5000km on 'em

[seth_man]

that is really expensive for monroe shocks, for tokico's or KYB's it might be in the ball park. for those shocks his payout will be under $200. A good tech and whip those 4 shocks out in an hour flat 1.5 with an alignment.

I just looked them up and i would charge an everyday customer $448.24 for that same job done with KYB shocks with 2 hours labor @ 75/hr included. also i highly doubt you need the strut bearings replaced.

[thebarber]

ur talking US vs Canada pricing

but ya, its a quick-ish job, generally

but you've had how many salty winters w/ the car? 3? 4?

[devinlamothe]

This is my 4th winter with the car. And ya tons of potholes up in here.

Gonna have to do some reading on bearing plates.

[thebarber]

sounds like BS to me though....you replace them yet, or...?

[yarrr]

The springs will last the life of the car so you'll reuse them.

No. OP can probably(90%) reuse the springs for a while, but they definitely don't last the life of the car.


edit:

The top of the strut is connected to the vehicle body through the upper strut mount, in some cases called a bearing plate. This bearing plate allows the strut to pivot as the wheels are turned. It must be flexible enough to handle slight angle changes and dampen movement of the upper end of the strut. This mount or bearing plate transfers vehicle load to the strut and spring, making the upper mount/bearing plate the load carrier and the lower ball joint the follower.

Ya the yaris doesn't have that. Just a solid mount on all 4 corners.

[devinlamothe]

sounds like BS to me though....you replace them yet, or...?

Nope I have never replaced them yet. I was going to a while back but I didn't think I had to.

So I guess I should get some springs too? I would rather replace everything I have to now instead of having to take the shocks off again to get new springs.

If that is the case, can anyone recommend any good springs to go with the Tokico's? Something that won't really lower my car that much (1" max, just because of the bad roads here).

[WeeYari]

TRD springs an excellent pairing with Tokicos. Approx 1.25" drop.

Some for sale http://www.yarisworld.com/forums/showthread.php?t=26755

[XYaris]

OP, you should try to get some other opinions about replacing the springs. I repeat, Im under the impression that if you dont WANT to replace them for looks, you likely wont HAVE to.

[MUSKOKA800]

A quality OEM replacement would be the KYB GR-2 available from TireRack dirt cheap. Have a local garage install them.
FYI: Tokico Blues or TRD's will greatly improve your handling at some cost to ride comfort. Granny won't like it. I do.

Link to TireRack page:

http://www.tirerack.com/suspension/Susptabl.jsp?autoMake=Toyota&autoModel=Yaris+S+Sedan&autoYear=2008&autoModClar=&brand=all

[devinlamothe]

OP, you should try to get some other opinions about replacing the springs. I repeat, Im under the impression that if you dont WANT to replace them for looks, you likely wont HAVE to.

Actually I was speaking with someone today regarding the springs, and they mentioned that if I haven't really put a lot of stress on them (ie: carrying heavy loads, towing, etc), than I shouldn't have to replace them just yet.

I will most likely just leave the springs in place, but go with the Tokico Blue shocks for the replacement.

I just have to find out for sure if our car has bearing plates or not.

EDIT: I found these part #'s under suspension but no idea if they are required or related to bearing plates:

48619 BEARING, STRUT MOUNTING, RH
48619-0D010 NCP91 2 $13.94
48619A BEARING, STRUT MOUNTING, LH
48619-0D010 NCP91 2 $13.94