So today I finally get to start.
Dismantle the old struts ( courtesy of
@Smithy ) and the shocks turned out to be original Toyota ones!
AS per guide I centre punched the bottom of the shocks and drilled the pilot holes and drained the oil.
Photos to follow....
Be sure to use Koni youtube guide to measure where to cut. Had this problem and wrote a thread about it
Quote from: Nvy on August 21, 2022, 20:38Be sure to use Koni youtube guide to measure where to cut. Had this problem and wrote a thread about it
Agreed, the measurements in the instructions with the inserts are wrong for the rears.
Cool.
Thanks for that.
If you're using an angle grinder I suggest cutting them high-up, separate the rod out, then you have a simpler cut for the real one.
The Koni instructions are not correct or rather partially correct. 65mm is correct for the front as that is right at the point the housing flares out to the larger diameter. The boot for the shock body on the front will bottom on the spring mount.
But the rear should be cut just below the "cap" on the strut or about 30 mm. This was verified with an old strut and a worn out rear Koni insert. The most you can cut on the rear is about 40 mm and still have the centering "nubs" on the insert body fit inside the housing.
Quote from: Beachbum957 on August 22, 2022, 11:01The Koni instructions are not correct or rather partially correct. 65mm is correct for the front as that is right at the point the housing flares out to the larger diameter. The boot for the shock body on the front will bottom on the spring mount.
But the rear should be cut just below the "cap" on the strut or about 30 mm. This was verified with an old strut and a worn out rear Koni insert. The most you can cut on the rear is about 40 mm and still have the centering "nubs" on the insert body fit inside the housing.
The Koni video advises to measure the insert from top of the cylinder to the nub and then subtract 6mm (I think at least, best to check first 😂) works fine for the rears. At least it did on the second one after already cutting the first to the instructions at 65mm as I'd done the fronts first and had no issues.
The instructions included aren't really the best.
Let us know how you get on trying to torque the top nuts up...👍🏻
Am doing this very slowly ( not much time on my hands as I have a 2 year old ) so will be quite a wait! ;D
Quote from: Call the midlife! on August 22, 2022, 15:20Let us know how you get on trying to torque the top nuts up...👍🏻
@J88TEO, if the top mount 'D' fit is iffy, using a narrow chisel (or perhaps a big screwdriver) the straight edge of it can be massaged to make it a tighter fit.
Noted with thanks.
Cheers.
Cut the front 65mm and rear 30mm, as recommended.
Drilled the 14mm holes for the bolts.
Now to clean up and send for powder coating.
After a long delay the KYBs are back, sand blasted and powder coated.
Now...I have TTE springs and Tein springs.
The questin is which one to go for!
H&R...
My vote would be tte over teins.
Quote from: Call the midlife! on May 20, 2023, 07:40H&R...
My vote would be tte over teins.
Thanks gents!.
Q...H&R over TTE?
I can't speak for the TTE, can't remember who actually makes them but I'm on H&R and no complaints.
Eibach are said to be the people who made the TTEs.
Thanks gents...I will go with the TTE first and if I don't like the feel then will look into the H&Rs.
Cheers.
A good suggestion for any lowering spring is to cut (shorten) the front bump stops. Otherwise it doesn't take much travel to get into the bump stops, which will make the front feel very stiff. The stock rear bump stops are OK.
The original Tein S-Tech instructions recommended cutting.8 inch (20 mm) off the bottom of the stop, or just below the groove for the boot. Basically close to the amount the front is lowered. The result is close to stock front suspension travel and there is still enough left to prevent mechanical bottoming.
I didn't cut my stops and regretted it last weekend in Cumbria, felt them a few times so it's on my list of winter jobs when I replace the struts.
Noted.
Thanks for that!
Quote from: Call the midlife! on May 23, 2023, 12:08I didn't cut my stops and regretted it last weekend in Cumbria, felt them a few times so it's on my list of winter jobs when I replace the struts.
FYI folks I got Insignia (I think) bump stops matching the koni shaft diameter but much shorter than stock, got a good 40mm extra stroke. The car is on Teins so low enough but still manages all the horrendous potholes etc and rarely bottoms out. Bottomed a few times on jumps/wallows going inappropriately fast but it's never crashed down or been uncomfortable etc. I'm pleased with them.
PS the front ARB links will knock the bollom bolt of the Koni in the strut, no big deal except it runs the paint off so I put XCF or Viscolene or similar waxy water blocker on it. And if you compress only one wheel enough to touch it actually increases the ARB rate a small amount [emoji12] Ideal for track days or the Nurburgring...
Enjoy
Cheers
Tyler
Quote from: J88TEO on May 23, 2023, 09:07Thanks gents...I will go with the TTE first and if I don't like the feel then will look into the H&Rs.
Cheers.
Where did you get TTE from?
I have a set from Ivo, but they need sprucing up and I'm not sure at this stage if it's worth doing or if I should just buy new from some other brand.
Used set in good condition with surface rust.