I’m attempting to fix my 2000 Sienna LE, which was made in Kentucky, by replacing the brakes and rear shock absorbers. The bottom mounting studs on the axle beam were severely rusted and worn when I removed the old shocks. The mounting studs are not interchangeable since they are a crucial component of the axle beam assembly, a Toyota store informed me. They actually give the impression of being fused into the support structure. I am hesitant to spend more than $1200 CDN on a new axle beam. Has this issue ever been encountered before? It appears that I will have to remove the existing studs using cutting, grinding, or burning techniques, and then weld in a makeshift replacement made of 16 mm bolts and washers. If anyone has been able to save any of the OEM structure, please let me know. One of the lower mounts is visible in the image below before being removed.
In This Article...
Do Siennas have struts or shocks?
Replacement shocks or struts for the Toyota Sienna suspension typically cost between $747 and $836. Between $341 to $430 is the projected cost of labor, while the cost of parts is $406. Taxes and other fees are not included in this range, nor are your particular model year or geographic area taken into account.
What is the turnaround time for replacing rear shocks?
Is the stop of your vehicle taking longer than usual? Is it strangely bumpier? The symptoms definitely indicate that your struts have failed, thus I believe it is time to replace them. Fortunately, you can either do it yourself or hire a professional to replace them.
Most professional mechanics agree that changing struts typically takes one to two hours. As long as you have prior mechanical experience and perform the procedure correctly, the expected time is the same even if you choose to replace them on your own.
The ability to manage and control the vehicle may be compromised if struts are not replaced in a timely manner.
How much do rear shocks cost to install?
Unfortunately, there isn’t much space for negotiation when it comes to this replacement. While labor for replacing rear shocks normally costs around $200, the parts for doing so cost about $900.
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Can I change my own shocks and struts?
Shock and strut replacement might be risky if you don’t know what you’re doing. Before attempting to disassemble your car, please read these guidelines to ensure the project’s efficiency and safety.
Spring Compressor
Many automobiles have integrated springs inside the shocks and struts, which, if removed improperly, could cause you harm or damage your car. In these situations, you’ll need a spring compressor to safely disassemble everything.
Your neighborhood auto parts store may rent out spring compressors, but it’s crucial to know how to operate them. You must exercise caution because this step is crucial to changing shocks and struts. If you’re unsure about removing the springs, you might want to think about taking your car to a repair.
Raise the Vehicle
When all of your components and tools are prepared, you should use a car jack to raise your vehicle one side at a time. To maintain stability once it is upright, put a jackstand behind the front wheel. Otherwise, a lift is available.
Prior to trying to loosen anything or climbing beneath the vehicle, just make sure it is secured.
Remove Old Shocks and Struts
You must first remove the wheels. Next, using your spring compressor, search for the three bolts holding the shock or strut in place at the bottom. These bolts should be loosened, but not yet totally taken out.
Another bolt inside the engine compartment secures the top of the shock or strut. To loosen it, use an impact wrench with a socket extension. Your shock or strut should come free once you’ve managed to get this loose and finished removing the other bolts.
Installing New Shocks and Struts
You can just swap in the new shocks and struts after removing the old ones. Make certain that all of the bolts are tightly tightened. To perform this, you most likely need a torque wrench.
Can shocks be manually compressed?
A shock or strut cannot be evaluated for strength or condition just by hand movement. A vehicle in motion produces more force and speed than you can manually produce. The fluid valves have been tuned such that they behave differently depending on how much movement inertia is present.
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Are shock absorbers self-installable?
If you’re thinking about replacing the shock absorbers yourself, you should be a skilled and knowledgeable do-it-yourself technician.
- Place chocks or wedges under the wheels that will remain on the ground when you park your automobile in a level or flat area.
- Lift the problematic wheel as high off the ground as you can by jacking up the vehicle.
- The car should be lowered onto the stand after a jack stand is placed beneath the factory lift point. You should have adequate space to work on the car as a result.
- Lift the vehicle just a little to relieve some of the pressure on the suspension you’re going to work on. If you’re replacing the shocks on both sides, you should do this one side at a time.
- Utilizing the appropriate size socket or wrench, remove the shock mounting bolts.
- The damaged shock absorber in your car ought to be able to be taken out at this point.
- Replace both the fastening bolts and the damaged shock with new ones.
Make a modest adjustment to the bracket if the shocker is challenging to install. If necessary, slightly bend them to ensure that your new shocks fit properly.
- The mounting bolts should be tightened with the proper torque.
- Lower your automobile back to the ground after removing the floor jack from underneath it.
- Take the chocks off and give your automobile a spin.
There are a few guides we’ve seen that will teach you how to fix the rear shock absorbers (or the front ones, for that matter), but it’s not recommended. The lifespan of a restored shock will be significantly diminished.
You shouldn’t hesitate to choose replacement over repair for a component on which you rely so significantly.
How can I tell if my back shocks are damaged?
It might be challenging to gauge when to change shocks and struts. You might not notice the decreased riding comfort and road control because these difficult-to-inspect elements frequently deteriorate slowly. Additionally, there is no predetermined mileage or time frame for replacing worn-out shocks or struts. Fortunately, there are ways to determine when it might be necessary to have Les Schwab inspect your shocks and struts.
What Are Shocks and Struts?
Each automobile and truck has a suspension system made up of springs, shock absorbers, and struts. You can see these incredibly hard-working components, which can travel up and down up to 1,900 times per mile, if you look under any of your four wheels. Your vehicle’s shocks and struts will have performed its function 75 million times by the time you have 50,000 miles on it. They work in concert with your brakes, steering, suspension, tires, and contemporary crash-avoidance systems to keep you in control and moving safely down the road.
Your automobile can endure bumps, debris, unexpected stops, swerving, potholes, wind gusts, and sharp turns with the assistance of shocks and struts in good shape. To keep your tires on the ground and you in control of your automobile, they manage the weight transfers that occur up and down, front to rear, and side to side.
In addition,
- Keep the contact of your tires with the pavement.
- Avoid having your wheels and tires move too much up and down.
- assist in maintaining stability while you accelerate, brake, and turn.
- By absorbing the jolts and bumpiness caused by uneven road conditions, you may increase ride comfort.
- assist in regulating a vehicle’s body movement (side-to-side roll, bouncing).
- Encourage even wear to extend tire life.
Contrary to popular opinion, shocks and struts normally do not support the weight of your car or any other loads that it could be carrying. The springs handle that. But deteriorated shocks and struts put extra pressure on the springs and other vital suspension components. These other components work too hard and prematurely wear out without the control that a decent shock or strut offers.
Signs Your Shocks or Struts Are Worn
Shocks and struts that are functioning properly increase your safety while driving and help prevent damage to other components of your car. Keep an eye out for these warning signals that suggest it may be time to check and replace your shocks and struts.
irregular tire wear (including cupping). If you notice unusual tire wear, such as cupping (as in the image below), you may have problems with your shocks or struts, which will cause your alignment to be off. If a rotation was completed but abnormal wear is still happening, it can be very crucial to recognize this.
Off-center, peeling, or cracked rubber shock covers. Both the top and bottom of the shocks have these coverings.
liquid leaks. It may be an indication of a broken seal if you discover clear or pale brown fluid on the shocks’ or struts’ outside.
ride problems. It may be an indication of damaged shocks or struts if your car dips when braking, bottoms out (scrapes loudly) after crossing a speed bump, squats when accelerating, or bounces more than usual following a bump.
brake problems. You could notice that stopping takes longer than usual for your car.
Swaying. This may be particularly obvious during a turn, lane change, or in strong crosswinds.
strange noises The shocks or struts could stop functioning as they age. Numerous sounds, including knocking and slamming, may result from this.
Should rear shock bolts be tightened?
Once the bushing has expanded (bulged) to the same outside diameter as the metal washer, the fasteners should be tightened. (See under) This enables the shock absorber to travel appropriately in any direction with the appropriate amount of bushing squeeze.
Should I swap out all 4 shocks at once?
It’s crucial for driving safety to replace your shocks and struts when they become worn out in order to avoid harming other parts of your car, such as the tires and suspension.
Various safety features are included in today’s cars to help with control, stability, and accident prevention. You are kept safe by a combination of systems including automated braking, anti-lock brakes, stability control, and traction control. In an emergency situation, your shocks and struts may not function effectively if they are in bad condition.
Getting Your Shocks & Struts Replaced
Whether you observe any of the aforementioned symptoms, get your alignment checked, or put on new tires, the best way to know when to repair your shocks and struts is to have a skilled technician check your suspension. Get your car’s suspension inspected at the very least once a year.
Replace front or rear axle shocks and struts in pairs at all times. It is even better to replace the shocks and struts on all four wheels at once. This keeps the vehicle’s handling and responsiveness on both sides uniform and dependable.
We always advise obtaining an alignment as well, following any suspension work. Wheel alignment of your car could also vary if your suspension is altered. Additionally, even little adjustments to wheel alignment can have expensive long-term effects (accelerated tire wear, more suspension problems, difficult handling).