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Hello all (excluding vwhobo........just kidding)
Since toyota.ca is of no assistance ive come here. Could someone please
explain to me the difference between a shock absorber and a coil spring if
there is a difference.
One more question, how much would coil springs be for a 1994 Toyota
Corolla?
triggerman
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COIL SPRING
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http://www.kyclassiccougars.com/images/coil_spring.jpg
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SHOCK ABSORBER
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http://www.mgclub.co.uk/mgccmga/technic/shock3.jpg
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BavarianWheels
You're telling us that Toyota couldn't answer that question? it seems a
staff review is in order!
Putting it simply a Shock absorber (damper) absorbs shocks that the road
offers them and without Dampers your car would jump all over the road
deeming it impossible to steer and handle..Are you sure Toyota couldn't
answer that question or didn't want to answer that question because they
thought you were on a wind up lol
Cliffy
Besides the obvious physical and visual differences Bav has already shared
with us... A coil spring (or any type spring used on cars for that matter)
and shock absorber (which is also part if the function of a Macpherson or
Chapman strut) perform very different jobs.
A spring very simply holds the car up. Remove the springs and the car will
drop down onto its suspension stops. They also allow for up and down
motion of the suspension and in some cases locate suspension components
such as when leaf springs hold a rear axle housing in place (look under
most any pick-up for an example).
Shock absorbers are more correctly called shock dampers. A spring, once
set into movement, will continue to oscillate for a long time. Without
shocks, everytime you hit a bump your car would continue down the road
bouncing up and down for good while. Essentially all the shock does is
slow the movement and stops the oscillation after two or three cycles. And
just to clarify my statement in the first paragraph, a Macpherson or
Chapman strut does the same thing but is also a structural component of the
suspension and/or steering.
Now for the disclaimers. Keep in mind this is a very basic explanation and
certain people will come along and say I'm wrong because I forgot so and
so. They will be wrong and can only add details beyond the basics. Also
let it be known now that contrary to popular belief, shock absorbers do not
affect ride height except air adjustable shocks. Ride height is one of the
functions of springs.
Oops, almost forgot. Coil springs for your car shold be in the
neighborhood of $200 all the way around.
vwhobo
As you probably recall i had new rear struts put on about 1 month ago or
so. However the car slants downward towards the back. I didnt go to
Toyota to tell me the difference between them..... i went there for a price
on coil springs. However to my surprise they only sell basic stuff. Oil
filters, air filters. I don't think they sell spark plugs. I had uhh Munroe
struts put on the Toyota i think? Well Thanks for your help.....$50/spring
isn't that bad thank god. Compared to around $120/strut.
triggerman
Although you didn't ask any questions, let me make some points that might
help clear things up for you.
1. If your car is now sagging in the rear or high in front and wasn't
before, you might have the wrong struts installed or improperly installed.
Simply changing the struts, and doing it correctly, will not change the
ride height. Just because the stuts can be installed doesn't mean they're
the right struts.
2. I'm fully aware that prices vary throughout the country but... I could
have sold you the most expensive struts Monroe makes for well under $100
apiece. That also makes me think you might have the wrong parts
installed.
3. From your description I don't think replacing the springs will correct
your problem. I feel you have the wrong struts or impropr installation.
vwhobo
Ok......well now I'm going to ask a question. What could make the car sag
if they're the wrong struts or improperly installed? I look under into the
wheel well and the coils are pretty compressed.
triggerman
The wrong strut could be too short end to end at the mounting points or the
spring cups could be positioned to far apart. Improper installation would
have to be the top spring cup unstalled upside down or the
shims/spacers/bushings incorrectly stacked or some form of binding not
allowing the front to compress or the rear to extend.
Another remote possibility is if all the assemblies were torn down at the
same time maybe, and granted this is a big maybe, the front springs were
installed on the back and visa-versa.
I have seen all of these things happen in the past, so they're all
possible. Now someone just has to figure out which it is.
When you had it aligned, didn't the alignment tech notice anything funny?
They should check the ride height before an alignment as it can throw off
their measurments.
If you have a reciept for the struts, please look at it and give me the
part numbers. I can do a quick check and see if you got the right stuff,
although they still could have been boxed wrong.
vwhobo
Well............we never had an alignment done afterwards. I cannot find
the receipt although its here somewhere. All i can remember is Monroe
Sensi-Track struts I believe they were.
triggerman
YEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH i found the receipt. Theres 2 numbers on it
1X22-4261-2
1X22-4261-0
triggerman
I see said the blind man. Notice in your first thread concerning this
issue I mentioned the need for an alignment. Very important for tire life
and handling. http://www.car-forums.com/talk/showthread.php?t=1309
If you in fact have Sensa-Tracs your part numbers will be 71952/left front,
71951/right front, 71954/left rear and 71953/right rear. If they're
regular Monroe gas struts, substitute 8's for the 7's.
vwhobo
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I'm glad I was able to help with the visuals... :laughing:
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BavarianWheels
Yes i remember you saying that. Those are the only numbers on the
receipt.
If those are the part numbers for the rear then how do you know if they
will fit the Corolla?
triggerman
I ran every cross reference I have and these numbers mean nothing. They
might be a store specific stocking number. Where did you buy them?
vwhobo
I don't understand your question. The part numbers I gave you will fit
your car.
vwhobo
I bought them @ good ol' Canadian Tire.
Nevermind my question you just answered it.
triggerman
