1993-2002 Toyota Corolla rear shock assembly remove and install

[@cwr319]

Well done. Thank you for the video. I have done strut jobs through the years. Today I got to pass the torch to my oldest son working on his 1995 Corolla. This video was a great primmer before we launched into the job. Really appreciate the effort to make the video.

[@eliaedits2599]

Thank you for putting all parts and torque special in the description.

[@NutzAboutBolts]

glad it helped you.

[@TREKjamesa]

thanks for the video it was extremely helpful! i ended up cutting up the brake mounting tab on the old strut and cutting a small notch in the new one to slip the brake line in and out. worked perfectly - didn't need to open up the brake lines and the clips still fit on fine afterwards. highly recommend doing it this way!

[@NutzAboutBolts]

+TREKjamesa nice!

[@Harbinger417]

I removed the clip then took a pair of vice grips and bent the outer portion of the tab up and down a few times until a chunk broke off, then I slipped the brake line out, slotted the new strut's tab a bit so the brake line would slip in and good as new without opening up the brake line. On the stabilizer link, I clamped a good Vice Grip in between the tab and the ball joint as there is a larger diameter shoulder there that it can grab, then I put a 14mm impact driver on the nut and it came right apart, despite being very rusty. This was on a car with over 250,000 miles on the original struts from the rust belt!

[@TREKjamesa]

this seems to be the most pain-free way to do the job. no need to mess around with the brake lines if it's not really necessary! rear brakes+struts still holding up fine 6 months later. the clips are still secure along with 2 zip-ties holding the line in place just for extra precaution. to avoid the extra hassle, i highly recommend replacing the rear strut like this.

[@amb3cog]

TREKjamesa this is a good idea, and should have done it. I clamped off the line and took it apart. Not a big deal. Cracked the bleeder 3 times, and 2 would have done it.

[@samzchang]

thank you for both of your video and smart ideas. i was doing mine 99 corolla today but the brake fitting is all seized by rust. have to stop and look for ideas nd found this. i will cut the ear off tomorrow and cut a notch in the new one to slide the brake line in. thx

[@amb3cog]

Thank you. Did this today. Couple of small problems. But the DIY shop I did it at had all the tools to overcome them. Cut off the sway bar link for sure. Also used the whole assembly. Both made it easier. Parts and rental of a DIY shop cost me less then $200 using a coupon at Advance Auto. probably saved $150-$200. and could have saved more if I had time to wait for mail order parts and with better planning. I'm thinking as cheap as $220 for both rears and maybe $400 for all 4. Could do all 4 for less then $200 using Amazon and doing it at home. Huge savings over shop prices.

[@vladimirlovric1264]

I have a mazda protege 2000 and by watching your video I changed rear and front struts. Before this I struggled with changing sway bar links, but now I can change struts. Thank you for taking time and making this video.

[@NutzAboutBolts]

vladimir lovric np! ty for watching!

[@erosennin4444]

it's years old but still really helpful. Thanks for this

[@Mysterian96]

Very good video explaining this job. Besides cutting a slot in the brake bracket so I didn't have to open the brake line, I jacked up both rear wheels so there was no tension on the sway bar links. Had to replace both links as they were both too rusted at the strut bracket.

[@anonymoususer1952]

Great job! Just finished the rear struts on my 01 w 215k, a bit overdue. Only one of the rear tires was cupping and vibration between 55-65. The old strut could be compressed with one finger, not good. One suggestion, when removing the link, place a floor jack under the drum and lift slightly to relieve swaybar tension. Makes it much easier. Thanks again.

[@NutzAboutBolts]

customer preferred thanks!

[@thomasjones1369]

I started this project earlier today but shouldve known that the sway bar end link probably wouldnt survive. Rust destroyed mine! Great informative video.

[@paulwilson6150]

Thanks for the clear illustration and patients you took to show the whole process. Good Job!

[@melvinmolly4151]

Great video.. DO they sell those struts with the Springs attached so you can skip the dangerous part of the project? Because my car probably needs new springs to..

[@NutzAboutBolts]

Yes, they do have them strut assembly. That’s the easier way if you don’t want to deal with removing the springs.

[@mikeashford9240]

Nice video I really enjoyed the begging where you showed the tools that were required to do the job ....

[@aarr1647]

Thanks for the great educational vid! I followed it to replace the suspension of our 1999 Corolla. Although I actually bought the complete assembly (strut and shocks pre-assembeled). It only costs $260 for all four wheels! A word of warning though, the sway bar link is very difficult to undo as shown in this video. You need to be careful not to ruin the little 5mm allen screw . If that's ruined, then you need to cut the sway bar link and replace it with a new one. It happened to me with one of the sides and I had to drill through the allen screw. Hacking it across won't help because it still won't come out of the hole. For the other side, I managed to undo the nut and allen screw of the sway bar link by using a flame torch to heat the nut. It worked like a charm! Another warning concern the brake line link.Be very careful to undo the brake hose connection. Alternatively, you can hack through the little bracket on the strut assembly that's used to hold the brake line and remove it.

[@NutzAboutBolts]

amir rahim Thanks for the comment! it'll help someone else when they do it.

[@selvanesana679]

Perfect and very professional explanations. Thanks a million sir.

[@nofaithjusthope]

This is one of the best how to videos I've seen for r&r of rear strut, great job. I agree with Anthony about the brake line I think that's a big engineering oversight on Toyota's part. The front strut uses a simple slot and clip so why not the rear? I've watched a few of these strut replacement videos and everyone uses a impact gun to remove (and install) the strut nut, which I don't think is correct, I'd really like to see it done with the proper tools or at least mentioned the tools needed. Anyway, Great video

[@NutzAboutBolts]

nofaithjusthope thanks, the top strut bolt, you can use an impact gun to remove and install, then you can use a torque wrench if you'd like, but most people use the impact gun to torque it down because they know what's the torque needed or they just don't care since it'll be tighten either way.

[@nofaithjusthope]

NutzAboutBolts As I mentioned before about the brake line (having to de-couple it) do you think it's possible to remove the clip and push the brake line down enough to get clearance and use cutting wheel or something similar to cut a slot in the brake line mounting hole slide the brake line out and slot the new strut so breaking the brake line is avoided? It would make this job easier avoiding opening up the brake line.

[@pagemaster36]

Did your strut start making noise when you went over bumps or did you lose pressure all together and how miles did your car have when you did the replacement. I can hear a weird noise coming from my rear end when I go over bumps but the struts seems to be solid with good pressure it sounds like metal rubbing together when I go over a bump I have about 98000 miles any ideas what it might be I was thinking it was the strut but now Im not sure thanks for looking.

[@jeffscomp]

It could be the rear lateral links. That's the arms that stabilize the back wheels. I had a clunking noise going over bumps on my old Camry and that's what it was.

[@NutzAboutBolts]

Ismail Davulcu - Can you tell us which brake tool? We used mainly tools to remove the stabilizer bar link and the brake line...

[@hectorramirez2705]

Very good video and thanks for taking your time on explaining every single aspect 👍🏽👍🏽

[@callmebackfriday2]

What is the reason you changing it? Thanks in advance. Thanks for the video.

[@evan937]

Man those dam Sway bar end linkages are a pain in the ass. The ones in the front love to wear out fast on the this Generation as well. Nice video dude!

[@NutzAboutBolts]

thx!

[@fayazkanji87]

I'm just wondering how you got the brake line into the new strut tab to get the clip on. The ones I ordered are shaped a little different and it doesn't seat flush when I put the metal tab on it's kind of secure but is that a cause for concern? I had to drill both sway bar Allen bolts off are they necessary?

[@df56gh4d5h]

The part about the positioning of the strut relevant to the spring housing is confusing. And how did you get the old stabilizer bar off? Was it rusted on and had to be cut off with a hacksaw?

[@chrisedwards4878]

What is the bolt size for the big bolts that go to the knuckle or do u have a part number

[@ChrisPrieto]

So we got it taken off pretty good but the new strut doesn't seem to have the triangle points for the threads on the top so we may have gotten the wrong struts. It's important when you go to buy the strut but it at least makes sense on how the top will both in. You're video however was very helpful, we thank you.

[@BEEBEE159]

Could you please tell me exactly what kind of air compressor you are using to power your air tools in this video. I need air tools for a major repair I am doing on my Sienna; and I cannot find any KZbin videos that discuss air compressors used for automotive air tools. Note, I am trying to have a setup like yours, that is powerful enough to use impact tools, to break tight bolts free. I am not a professional car mechanic, so I am trying to get the smallest compressor that can still break tight bolts free. Any advice you have will be greatly appreciated. Assuming yours is not a professional setup, you might, in the future, even consider giving us DIY mechanics a video tour of your compressor and tool setup. Thank you very much for making these videos. I find them very helpful.

[@playstation2bigs]

Hi no spring cushion at the top mount ?

[@truckman7123]

Hi, Is this dual link MacPherson suspension?

[@NutzAboutBolts]

Anthony Starfield - I don't see there is any other way since the brake line is hold down by that bracket, which in turn where the brake line goes through it. Its not like the honda brake lines where it is on the bracket and hold on by a clip. This Toyota brake line goes through the bracket from underneath, so it will need to be disconnected, or else we wouldn't have to go through that step... Sorry to say, we don't have another alternative. Let me know how it goes for you. Try spraying some wd-40 for rust on the bleeder valves when loosening it so that it won't break.

[@rachellowery9248]

.

[@msgearhead4u]

NutzAboutBolts Is this the same process for a 2008 Yaris?

[@josueescobar3122]

we just did this job today in my dad's 96 corolla and we broke one of those bleeders, these corollas are a pain in the ass, the hondas are way easier to do the rear struts

[@NutzAboutBolts]

Josue Escobar Yeah, this corolla set up is pretty horrible.

[@ManWander]

excellent video, thanks! i got those same struts and they were a pain! I should have enlarged the hole for the brake line. I didn't get the boots - I gotta wonder how bad was that?

[@NutzAboutBolts]

we had a problem with the brake line mounts in the front. No boot will probably just shorten the life of the struts by a little bit.

[@df56gh4d5h]

Should the top bolt be left loose until you tighten the lower portion in case it needs to turn a bit?

[@sleepgruby7585]

Do you have a video/instructions for replacing the rear stabilizer link? Also, do you have info on what to do -if- the bleeder screw broke after I bleed the brakes? I need to know what to do in case I run into this when I replace my rear struts. Thank you for your video!

[@NutzAboutBolts]

you can replace the bleeder screw by removing it, as for the stabilizer link, we don't have a video on it.

[@sleepgruby7585]

Okay, thank you for letting me know! I'll look closer in my Corolla repair manual that I got on Ebay to see what kind of info it has.

[@damiansmith391]

Did u have to bleed the brakes afterwards?

[@misopysio]

Thank You very much for this video. I was most helpful. I was able to change the shocks in my Toyota myself. Thanks again.

[@NutzAboutBolts]

misopysio np!

[@jessegarza1560]

Would this process be the same on a 2000 Chevy Prizm? Mine is riding really low on the rear and even with one passenger riding in the back seat the car bottoms out on small bumps and dips. Will replacing the shocks and struts fix this problem?

[@TheAkinaspeedstar]

Very helpful. can I know the exact model of the shock that you've used on the video. thanks!

[@NutzAboutBolts]

not sure about the model, but its for a 1998 corolla

[@samzchang]

NutzAboutBolts can i know where did u buy it and how much? thx.

[@MindOverEverything]

Thanks for this video. It confirms for me that I need to have my mechanic do this job. :-)

[@NutzAboutBolts]

MindOverEverything lol, np, if you don't have the tools or the man power, I would do the same.

[@rolandoatienza8363]

There are few hacks to the brake lines... no need to mess with the fluids!! Just cut it short with a hacksaw, bend the holder a bit, pull the pipe out and your good...

[@wj8032]

What Toyota model has four bolts for the strut? I ordered from rockauto for my specific vehicle to find out the rears have four bolts instead of the three that I have

[@prangas333]

Can you do the job without the coil compressors? Is there a way you can unscrew tge bolts without them?

[@animal__music]

Would it be possible to find a strut bar under that plastic cover behind seats?

[@tikochavsd]

my question is ? is better install shock ready to mount , whit spring assembly .

[@Mark-jn6rs]

Loud and clear! Thanks man

[@harveymagsambol]

Thanks for the video,do you have video for 2013 toyota prius for shock and strut removal? Thanks!!!

[@NutzAboutBolts]

unfortunately, no :(

[@patrickmcintyre5721]

I just did both sides on my '99 Corolla a few days ago and it worked great. The hex nut slot for the sway bar end link was rusted out, so I ran into that problem, but I figured it out. Do you recommend any videos for bleeding the rear brake lines? I think I know how to do it, but just wanted to make sure. This video is awesome, thanks for posting :)

[@NutzAboutBolts]

Patrick McIntyre if you look up our 06 honda accord brake bleeding, its basically the same thing. It's pretty simple :) gl!

[@inhibited44]

Thank you. I was just following your lead to attempt to take apart the bolts and stuff on the strut. I also found I was unable to get the sway bar to cooperate. Linkage is another $40 on top of $200 for the struts, but my father likes the car. He isn't going to spend $500 on it at a shop.

[@Anthony_in_Bloomington_Indiana]

Having to open the brake line really sucks! Is there a way to get the brake line free of that tab without having to open it up? That would make the whole job so much easier! Especially since bleeding the rear brakes could well involve replacing one or both of the wheel cylinders. With an older car, those bleeder valves often break off instead of break loose.

[@jameskimble4808]

How do you get back seat out mine doesn't fold down it's fixed seat

[@peeperGson]

strange to me how the design on this model strut for 1993 corolla that the strut rod cover/boot does not seal with such a very close fit at the bottom side ... its larger diameter on my orig. Toyota strut boots and same with my new aftermarket replacement boots than the diameter of the outer oil chamber where it sits over these struts ? Where ive seen some other cars with same types of strut boots that fit very snug and have a zip tie it to make a very nice close tight seal there onto the strut ?

[@williamlawson8707]

Forget all that, spend the extra couple bucks and buy a complete strut assembly! Save the aggravation of spring compressing, cost of new boots and bushings, reassembly and positioning of the coil spring -- not worth it, buy a complete strut assembly and get new coil springs and a lot less work. Moog Struts, Nice! But maybe not worth it on a used Corolla?

[@NutzAboutBolts]

you're right, an already assembled struts and springs are always the way to go. This is just a general video in case people want to keep their original springs and want to swap out the bad struts. :D moog is good too.

[@theydidntnameme]

I bought the preassembled KYB Strut-Plus for this car. Everything went well until the last one (rear right). The top mount was installed in the wrong orientation. So here I am at midnight, defeated. Tomorrow I have to rent a spring compressor to fix it :(

[@FredTheLutinoCocatiel]

@@theydidntnameme drill the extra hole for the new configuration

[@jwest88]

Looks like a lot more work than the front ones. That's quite unfortunate since my rear right strut is worn out. My spring looks fine so it's just the strut that is stuck low now. I regret not reusing my springs on my front because my front end sits higher than my back after using quick struts. Now that I think of it though that could be partially because my rear is worn out. To make this job that much shorter I may go with monroe quick struts. If my strut mounts look okay I may do the spring compression method and use my old springs since it may not be worth the extra cost for the mount and the strut vs whole strut assembly.

[@zurdo2565]

Sirve un amortiguador de Toyota Corolla del 92?

[@icawn]

would it help to use a dremel to cut a slot along the allen head, so you can hold it via flat head screwdriver? i've done this for other stripped allen heads.

[@NutzAboutBolts]

that's possible.

[@roquemonteleone4428]

Do you HAVE to bleed the brake after this❔

[@alansmilealot]

I didn't and man... My brakes were horrible after

[@kristinehayes4885]

Of course you do for there will be air bubbles in the break line.

[@richardkhang9913]

Hi. I'm having the same problem with that rusted hex key area for my rear shocks for Camry. I will need to replace that part too. What is that particular part called and how much did it cost you? And can I buy it at my local autozone or o Reilly?

[@NutzAboutBolts]

Richard Khang It's a stabilizer end link or sway bar end link, we bought it at O'Reilly. I think it was 22$, you can watch our first vlog, we went to the store and bought it lol.

[@richardkhang9913]

Thank you NutzAboutBolts, i just bought mine earlier and replaced the rear driver side. it was a pain in the butt installing it, but i got it in. Thx again!

[@NutzAboutBolts]

Richard Khang nice!

[@harryburford6629]

hi what seyying do you have your impact gun mine is nunbered 1 2 3 4 what is the best get back to me please thanks great video

[@NutzAboutBolts]

Harry burford 4

[@eduardoa4558]

excellent thank you. Do you know the spanner number to remove the engine oil from my corolla of 93 4E-FE?

[@NutzAboutBolts]

don't know the part number, but we did post a link for the parts in the description if you need to know where to buy it. Check the oil change video, its in the description box.

[@asaprulers226]

Helping a moms friend out. Do i need to take the brake line off, is that the only way

[@NutzAboutBolts]

Yeah unfortunately the brake line for this car had to be removed

[@asaprulers226]

@@NutzAboutBolts thankyou for the response

[@steindau]

Bot god damn swaybars stuck. Should've ordered them as soon as I saw that you had that problem as well. Great video!

[@antimattergarage8147]

I wish you had shown the flats on the top of the shock better. My spring and shock are aftermarket and a little bit different. There is a flat spot at the top, but it's not very deep and apparently it doesn't catch on whatever is flat on the top spring perch, which means when I try to tighten the top nut, the plunger just spins with the nut. I guess I have to take it all apart again and try to get it to line up. I had hoped that the weight of the car would push down enough that if the plunger turned, it would eventually line up the flat on the plunger with whatever is flat on the top perch, but nope, the whole thing just spins and won't tighten.

[@harryburford6629]

do you have to get wheel alignment done afterwards

[@NutzAboutBolts]

Harry burford it’s recommended

[@MaSSaCR3Blad3]

Hey when I did this quite a bit of rear brake fluid came out and my brake pedal is all mushy. Do I have to bleed the front brakes or the rear drums?

[@NutzAboutBolts]

you'll need to bleed the brake fluids where the brake fluid leaked out from, since air is introduced when the brake fluid leaked out.

[@MaSSaCR3Blad3]

Awesome! Thanks

[@yjxu66]

What are the torques for all the nuts? Thanks.

[@NutzAboutBolts]

+yjxu66 its in the description box.

[@waddupdoe5720]

Those rear end links are impossible to get off. Better off cutting them off, $22 part. Also if you have the 01-02 S model, the rear seats do not collapse, there are 5 latches holding the seats down you can pull off with a small pry bar.

[@NutzAboutBolts]

+Waddup Doe yeah, I guess its common for it to get rusted.

[@johnberry4625]

Wasn't rust, more the fact that the factory fasteners require an Allen key or hex socket to hold it in place while you back the nut off with an open face wrench. It's very easy to round out the hex hole, especially since they've been connected for 15+ years. Most of the replacement end links just have a nut, makes it much easier to bolt in and take off.

[@NutzAboutBolts]

John Berry Yeah I agree.

[@damienmataia7684]

Does the corolla shocks same as to toyota corona 2001 shocks

[@NutzAboutBolts]

I believe so but double check with the seller

[@ethanhetke6732]

You should have used anti-seize on the stabilizer bolt or else next you will run into the same problem and have to buy a new stabilizer. Good video and good job

[@NutzAboutBolts]

Ethan Hetke yeah lol, but I think it should be ok. The car wasn't well taken care when we bought it, so it's basically taken care of now lol.

[@wpnt37]

how did you remove the sway bar link from the sway bar itself?

[@NutzAboutBolts]

+Jason Ader it was rusted onto the sway bar, we ended up throwing the sway bar along with the rusted bolt part.

[@xzavierjimbo8501]

+NutzAboutBolts did you ever replace it?

[@NutzAboutBolts]

Xzavier Jimbo yes we did.

[@blottobill]

Great video. Very helpful. Thanks for taking the time to do this video.

[@NutzAboutBolts]

blottobill np! thanks for watching!

[@violentram]

I just wanted to see how you pull the seat how can you forget that yeeezz

[@richardperry4115]

Go to peter Finn video, he tells you everything But it feels like you’ve been watching it for the last three days. P.s. I think I fell asleep twice.

[@rollym196811]

Why you don’t torque the ?

[@jaars911]

Wow I need to replace my rear shocks on my 98 corolla 130, I thought it were easy just remove the bolts and put in new one and reinsert bolts, didnt know about the springs. Now i gotta find spring compressors

[@NutzAboutBolts]

You can buy the preset spring and shock combo so you don’t have to remove the springs.

[@michaelrehkop4817]

A little bit of PB Blaster and a bit of heat on the stabilizer link nut from a can of Map gas and those stabilizer links come right out. quick struts are also the easier and far less dangerous for the novice.

[@robroymacgregor7279]

saves me a lot of time as almost every issue you went through most likely always happens

[@X410zee]

Great video thankyou. Is this real time?

[@NutzAboutBolts]

Real time would be about 1 hr give or take depending on your experience.

[@skykid2]

Thanks so much i defiantly feel better about doing it now.

[@NutzAboutBolts]

skykid2 np! :D

[@harryburford6629]

thanks for both replys

[@df56gh4d5h]

Can I use the old boot?

[@trippplefive]

yeah..the old one looked better than the new crap even if it was 20 years old. i'm wondering if toyota still sells just the rubber part.

[@Amorske215]

also I used a vice grip with a tissue to clamp the brake line so I didnt have to bleed or worry about spillage

[@simonmadembo6888]

Thanks a lot i put the washer from wrong position😮

[@joonaspalomaki3606]

I do that job next weekend thx for the video

[@ryszardjacekrusniak7993]

Thank you... very helpful.

[@cleovidrine8673]

Also guys get a longer stick. To extend the Allen wrench to get a better grip

[@vikingcove]

You really helped me by providing this excellent video. Thank you.

[@Kekelius]

Thanks mate, very professionally made! I just wish the chassis nuts and bolts in my car was as rust-free as seen in here.. :D

[@NutzAboutBolts]

***** I know, our's was rusted too.

[@ericvest7279]

Howmuchwillitrunmebuy

[@gerrancharles5590]

nice vid! gonna do mine this weekend

[@NutzAboutBolts]

Gerran Charles Thanks!

[@howardrice9527]

Good job!

[@drkreger6111]

Thank you bro👍

[@FR-ji3hw]

Those stabilizer links wear fast and cost about $12 a pair. I just cut them off and toss them with the old strut instead of wrestling with them. A loaded strut is better to use too because toyota corolla rear springs are garbage.

[@NutzAboutBolts]

all true, we're just showing this just in case people want to change just the strut to performance ones. But strut assembly is the way to go since its just remove and install instead of going through all the hassle of compressing the springs and replacing it that way.

[@robroymacgregor7279]

Your awesome, great job,...thanks

[@NutzAboutBolts]

Rob Roy MacGregor thanks!

[@mike26138]

Thank you, it must be more difficult to do and photo

[@AndresMartinez-rh3yx]

Good work

[@hankmemiggen1685]

thanks!! for the post and the info

[@NutzAboutBolts]

Hank memiggen np! :D

[@Amorske215]

Man I had to replace the rear sway bar links because that stupid Allen key gave me the same prob and stripped. Then I had to sawzall the whole piece out and replace the sway bar links on both sides for an additional 70 bucks plus....expect that

[@bomberitojuarez7619]

Very helpful.

[@cleovidrine8673]

Guys use carburetor spray works wonders on rusted parts

[@cleovidrine8673]

But not on rubber parts with carburetor spray

[@Bigbrotheriswatchingus]

10/10 excellent

[@abrahamcastellon2766]

muchas gracias gue dios te bendiga me ayudo mucho

[@NutzAboutBolts]

Abraham Castellon np! :D

[@lar4305]

you will need an alignment afterwards

[@leomonster1973]

Are they serious with those rear access doors??? I can handle this whole job easy enough... But, I can see losing my patience trying to work through a hole made for the hands of a child...Maybe that whole plastic seat panel could be removed with a few screws for easier access???

[@NutzAboutBolts]

I've noticed on older models that this was the access, the newer models might be different.