Shock/Strut replacement questions - Toyota Yaris Forums

sroberts · 10-15-2012, 05:01 PM

Hey guys, long time no post. I am going to replace the shocks and struts on my '07 Sedan. Just had a couple of questions before I tear into it.

Do I access the rear shock upper mounts from inside the car or through the trunk? Its kinda of hard to tell from the outside.

Do I need to remove the cowl to get to the upper mounts for the struts? I have read some do and some don't.

Lastly and I am sure I know the answer but is it necessary to have an alignment done after replacing the struts? Or can I just take note of the mounting of the original. I am replacing them with Monroe struts.

TIA

suckerface · 10-15-2012, 05:17 PM

So, having a hatch, this may not be accurate, but I'm guessing the rears will be accessed through the top, and the fronts, I had to remove the cowl (you get used to it after doing it 3 or 4 times ;) )

As far as alignment goes, give it a hundred miles or so to break in, then have one done.

Good luck!

Absolutely Red 12 · 10-15-2012, 05:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sroberts

Hey guys, long time no post. I am going to replace the shocks and struts on my '07 Sedan. Just had a couple of questions before I tear into it.

Do I access the rear shock upper mounts from inside the car or through the trunk? Its kinda of hard to tell from the outside.

Do I need to remove the cowl to get to the upper mounts for the struts? I have read some do and some don't.

Lastly and I am sure I know the answer but is it necessary to have an alignment done after replacing the struts? Or can I just take note of the mounting of the original. I am replacing them with Monroe struts.

TIA

You dont need to remove the cowl.

A long 6MM allen wrench, with the short end ground down to 1/2" long.
A 17MM deep offset box wrench will both sneak under the cowl to loosen.
Then you can reach your hand in and remove the nut.

I highly recommend spending a few $$ and getting the Tokico Blues.

ciscobear · 10-15-2012, 09:22 PM

Quote:

I highly recommend spending a few $$ and getting the Tokico Blues.

Agreed.

sroberts · 10-16-2012, 04:32 PM

Thanks for the responses so far guys. I already bought the struts and got them really cheap. I cant really afford to spend any more.

Still looking to confirm where to access the top mounts for the rear shocks on a sedan.

WeeYari · 10-16-2012, 04:39 PM

Unlike the HB which has nice popout access panels to access the shock, I believe the sedan requires removal of the entire side panel in the trunk. A friend with a sedan bitched about how easy the HB guys have it when it comes to rear shock removal.

sroberts · 10-16-2012, 04:40 PM

Thanks WeeYari!

fnkngrv · 10-16-2012, 05:03 PM

yup...that is the case for the rears in the sedan. also, why not remove the cowl? it is easy. I have done it prolly literally 100+ times now. 14mm for the wiper arms and a 10mm for the 8-10 black bolts. You have to remove the wiper motor first before the metal cowl plate and don't forget the wiper fluid hose like I always do upon reinstall! haha.

Absolutely Red 12 · 11-05-2012, 06:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fnkngrv

also, why not remove the cowl? it is easy.

Because, its not needed!!

10-15-2012, 05:01 PM	#1
sroberts View User's Garage Drives: 2007 Yaris Sedan Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Englewood, CO Posts: 300	Shock/Strut replacement questions Hey guys, long time no post. I am going to replace the shocks and struts on my '07 Sedan. Just had a couple of questions before I tear into it. Do I access the rear shock upper mounts from inside the car or through the trunk? Its kinda of hard to tell from the outside. Do I need to remove the cowl to get to the upper mounts for the struts? I have read some do and some don't. Lastly and I am sure I know the answer but is it necessary to have an alignment done after replacing the struts? Or can I just take note of the mounting of the original. I am replacing them with Monroe struts. TIA __________________ I am not allowed to put anything here because I do not have any ricey mods on my Yaris....

10-15-2012, 05:17 PM	#2
suckerface #1 Lemming Drives: Light Blue '08 Yaris Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Milwaukee, WI Posts: 760	So, having a hatch, this may not be accurate, but I'm guessing the rears will be accessed through the top, and the fronts, I had to remove the cowl (you get used to it after doing it 3 or 4 times ;) ) As far as alignment goes, give it a hundred miles or so to break in, then have one done. Good luck! __________________

10-16-2012, 04:32 PM	#5
sroberts View User's Garage Drives: 2007 Yaris Sedan Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Englewood, CO Posts: 300	Thanks for the responses so far guys. I already bought the struts and got them really cheap. I cant really afford to spend any more. Still looking to confirm where to access the top mounts for the rear shocks on a sedan. __________________ I am not allowed to put anything here because I do not have any ricey mods on my Yaris....

10-16-2012, 04:39 PM	#6
WeeYari View User's Garage Drives: 06 Polar White 5dr, 13 Soul 4u Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Georgetown, Ontario, Canada Posts: 5,809	Unlike the HB which has nice popout access panels to access the shock, I believe the sedan requires removal of the entire side panel in the trunk. A friend with a sedan bitched about how easy the HB guys have it when it comes to rear shock removal. __________________

10-16-2012, 04:40 PM	#7
sroberts View User's Garage Drives: 2007 Yaris Sedan Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Englewood, CO Posts: 300	Thanks WeeYari! __________________ I am not allowed to put anything here because I do not have any ricey mods on my Yaris....

10-16-2012, 05:03 PM	#8
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...that is the case for the rears in the sedan. also, why not remove the cowl? it is easy. I have done it prolly literally 100+ times now. 14mm for the wiper arms and a 10mm for the 8-10 black bolts. You have to remove the wiper motor first before the metal cowl plate and don't forget the wiper fluid hose like I always do upon reinstall! haha. __________________ 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.*

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