Celica rear shocks

[mikie_121]

Hey

When I put new springs on my '89 ST162 'silly car' I replaced the front shockers with monroe inserts. I didn't do the rears coz I couldn't find any cheap enough. The best was about $165 each coz they are a complete kit (i'm a broke uni student).
After driving around for about a month I'm sick of the back end coming unstuck so quickly. I didn't realise how bad my shocks were until I got the new fronts.
Is there any way I could just put thicker oil in the shocks to make them work again? Or does someone have any idea what size inserts I could get and how I could fit them (from memory I don't think the rears have a threaded top)?

Cheers
Mike

[mtp_69_i]

I don't think you can get inserts for the rears. They come as a complete strut hence the cost. Give Julie at Car Torque on North Tce (between the Maid and Magpie and Clark rubber) a call, she might be able to do you a decent price on KYB rears. Or just buy some cheapos from ebay if you can't afford decent ones.

[mikie]

i beleive the main question is weather the stock units can be rebuilt,
a friend of mine had his teins re gassed, oil'd and sealed, and it was nearly as much as a new shock. there are places out there that do this work for a reasonable price, all you have to do is pick up a phone book and call around

Cheers Mike

[o_man_ra23]

I know the early celica fronts were rebuildable, couple of o-rings and some new oil and they were sweet... but they had threaded tops to get them out. If yours are sealed units, your farked... time to save champ... and as an ex-uni student, I know how hard that can be, so GL

Cheers, Owen

[mtp_69_i]

Mikie, as I first stated, I'm not aware of an option to rebuild the rear strut unit. I recently replaced the springs and shocks on my ST162 celica and in my research did not hear of rear strut inserts for the ST162 celica nor was it suggested that the rear struts could be rebuilt.

I think a quick call to a suspension shop (such as the one I recommended above) would answer this question. North Terrace Tyres and Brakes are another place you could try. Jarrod is a fellow I've dealt with a bit and he is very helpful.

[mikie_121]

Cheers for the advice, i'll make a few calls but it looks like i'm saving.
A friend of mine at Supercheap said you can get inserts for just about anything, you just gotta have the right dimensions. So I thought I could give it a try.
I'll call around and see, I just can't remember what the strut looked like (I think the top is just pressed over to seal it) but it's too bloody hot to do any work outside for now

Thanks
Mike

[o_man_ra23]

There are 2 types of struts. One type take inserts, the other type is a sealed unit, and needs to be replaced as a whole. If yours is a sealed unit, ya stuffed. Generally I dont listen to anything people who work at supercheap say, unless of course I know that they work on lots of different types of cars for a hobby/extra cash.

Cheers, Owen

[Sagluren]

i have jsut checked on my comp at work (where i am now) and no the rear or the st162 are sealed units so looks like you are saving. I know it sucks but them is the breaks, or you could get a old skool celica.

sam.

[o_man_ra23]

or you could get a old skool celica.

sam.

Thats the best suggestion ive heard anyone give in a while Sam. Theres a statement that should be listened to with eager ears.

Cheers, Owen

[mikie_121]

Graham at Car Torque has 4 sets on the shelf, at $200 a side for KYBs. He mentioned something about Koni inserts, but they are really pricey.
A quick call to Autopro said Monroes are $185 each and Gabriels are $130 each.

Cheers guys and thanks for all your help, I'll just have to put up with no shocks for now.
Mike

[o_man_ra23]

Just drive less like a rally driver, and more like a granny, and you wont notice it

Cheers, Owen

[mtp_69_i]

good work looking around, check ebay everynow and then. There have been some bargains on their like a left and right pair of rear strut assemblies, new from KYB for $150.
avoid pot-holes

[mikie_121]

I probably should, but where's the fun in that?

[o_man_ra23]

Wheres the fun in boating around, and crashing due to crap shocks?? Its not like a RWD car where you can simply put more boot into it to account for the crap shocks, and powerslide your way around

Cheers, Owen

[Sagluren]

Thank you owen, it just goes to show the wise come in young and old.

sam.