My Problems and the questions....your answers PLEASE-updated

[jrzymuscle23]

So some of you guys probably read about my solara getting a used tranny being put in with my new clutch before. So yes- the transmission runs golden and clutch works great now. Now for the other issues:

<1> Whenever I hit my brakes hard- I notice some slippage coming from the rear brakes it seems(can't be the front since I just got the rotors and pads done). And the other out lying issue is that when ever I run over cracks/bumps on the road- there is a loose knocking from the right rear(nothing in my trunk). When the guys were fixing my transmission, they told me that when they hit my right rear caliper, it was loose.. What would cause it to be loose? a pin? and I'm assuming I need rotors and brakes? .. Are these all things I should have a professional replace or do myself to save $$? --- So I found out the Rear strut mount needs to be replaced- the brakes and calipers were FINE.. Just got my brake fluid system flushed and refilled... So onto the suspension

<2> Another thing, How often should springs be replaced?? Is there a life limit to lowered springs? I got the car at like 55k with the same suspension I have now at 130K miles (lowered-don't know brand or for how long they've been on for-- and also yes, tokico's in the rear and macpherson in the front). The car definitely needs struts.. But how about the springs?? Opinions please! updates below ----

Thanks guys! you guys are great- but I def did do bsome searches and need current opinions and answers..

[Dawgz]

the loose knocking from ur right rear probably is ur suspension (struts being blown), mine needs replacement too.

[Jai_Jai_Binks]

q1) could be anything, if from the front i would recommend the stut mounts, but from the rear, it sounds more like a rsb thingie, but you said brakes.....in brakes...if your not really sure...let a professional take a look at them, after all, a lot of riding on your brakes. Knocking could be berings (you may need to repack them..but like i said, i could be a whole load of thingies...just isolate the problem more first)

q2) Pretty much most companies tell you the springs will outlast the car. You will know when its time for replacement, cus they will be cracked!!!!


FYI: what I will tell you (99.9999% of the SG's disagree, but i've been proving some of em wrong for many many moons. I have my trd springs with stock struts (this is what I did in my celica days, and lot of celica guys still do this), you replace the struts when its time for replacement. Yeah, it saves money...but for the past 70K miles, I'm on stock struts and still going strong. As far as struts go, as long as you get a reputed brand (tokico is what I would replace mine someday)..but the springs have got to be reputed...GL

[TadS]

I agree with Jai. The noise in the back is probably the RSB bushings. It’s a pretty common failure on the Gen 4 Camry platform. My dad’s ’97 ES300 needs them like crazy, but I haven’t had time to install them yet. It’s a cheap part, so that’s where I would start.

I’d go ahead and check the rears brakes, make sure everything is tight, and seated properly.

The springs should be ok, as long as they’re a quality brand.

[Chinky420]

i didnt know the rear brakes engaged under heavy braking...i guess i should check the wear on them if this is the case (i thought the rear brakes only engaged via e-brake).

i noticed slipping when i replaced my front pads/rotors, but i figured it was just the pads getting broken in, as it had gotten better after a couple of weeks.

[jrzymuscle23]

So just outta curiosity- Is it bad if I got KYB's GR2 for the rear and Tokico's for the front?? Or is that ghetto? Apparently thats all the performance shop by my house has for my car... And how much should it cost to install the gas shocks/struts??

[Ruski]

So just outta curiosity- Is it bad if I got KYB's GR2 for the rear and Tokico's for the front?? Or is that ghetto? Apparently thats all the performance shop by my house has for my car... And how much should it cost to install the gas shocks/struts??

Thats not Ghetto But WHY ?? your going to spend more money buying diff shocks .. you can get Tokicos on ebay for about 300 $ , ive been quoted 1000 to have struts and springs installed with the shop supplying the parts . It all varies on the shop you go to ..

[jrzymuscle23]

So I found this place called rockauto.com -- seems to have lots of good reviews and seems legit- Since no one local to me seems to carry KYB - I decided to look online reluctantly- Well Rockauto.com carries KYB GR2's strut assembly's.. is this what I need to replace? or actual shocks, or are they the same??... I'm assuming even though it doesn't mention the car being lowered on there site- these should work fine with my car, right?? I hope so. Someone please give me some insite on this. THANKS

[hskrsolara]

yeah, rockauto is a good site. I have ordered from them and had great luck.

[jrzymuscle23]

Good to hear about Rockauto.com . .. now the question is can I just buy KYB gr2 for my lowered car?? Apparently it seems there's only one type GR2 and works for OEM suspension and lowered suspension?? TRUE or False??