vilmaxima

So the other day I decided to change the settings on my struts. My gf's bro did the rears since he likes to help with car stuff, but he lost one of the red dial caps, and the other one fell off and got crushed...I know. Lately the rear bounces way too much, and when I hit a bump its almost like it drifts the back a tiny bit. They were pretty much fine a couple weeks ago, theyre only 2 years old. How do I know what setting is what number without the red cap? Or do I have blown struts now?

vilmaxima

So I tried turning the dial all the way to the left thinking it would stop at 1, but it just kept spinning around. I put it back to where it was. Im starting to think the adjuster isnt in the right place now either. Was doing 80km/h today and hit a small bump. Well that small bump threw the back end out to the left so much where I actually almost lost control of my car. It always seems to throw the back towards the left. I know this isnt normal, no car I have ever owned or driven has done this. Any input? I cant really afford new struts right now.

Snypa

iTrader: (35)

Im hoping your dial just isnt set at a number right now, but instead in between. However, if they were working fine before you lost the red cap, chances are you just need to spin until you find your fav setting. In the morning, i will look to tell you how the numbering is starting from that flat side at the top.Im going through the same feeling your getting now and trying to send them back.Not even 2 months old.

wirelessdude04

iTrader: (24)

if there bouncing as your saying might be blown struts? Can you see any oil dripping down the shaft of the piston?

njmaxseltd

iTrader: (19)

Take the rear shock & spring assy out of the car.
Remove the spring from the shock.
By hand, compress the shock and allow it to rebound. Make sure the travel is controlled, no oil is leaking and the shock is giving you good resistance.
Try this on all 5 dial setting. You will be able to tell when you go from 1 to 5 or vise versa. Once you figure this out, somehow mark the setting. It goes clockwise 1-2-3-4-5, then back to 1 ect.....

Reinstall and test drive.

Good luck!

vilmaxima

thanks for the help guys. Im putting the lowering springs back on since its not gonna snow here anymore and Ill try to figure something out, or hopefully it wont bounce as much when its lowered again.

vilmaxima

So Im lowering her again, and the first strut I take out is the driver side rear. I compress it with my hand and it does not return at all! Looks like there might have been oil leakage, hard to tell with all the dirt, salt and snow crap everywhere. On every setting once compressed, it does not return. Well see what the next ones like. Looks like Im goin back to the factory struts, even 12 years old, itll work better than the illumina.

99superblackmax

iTrader: (1)

If they were blown, they wouldn't bounce you car out of place but would feel more like your struts are pillows, or very soft.

vilmaxima

They ARE blown and that is what caused the bouncing. Oil leakage was present on the back two. When compressed by hand, none would come back up. Also passenger side when pressed down oil is leaking. Did not expect this from Tokico. These arent even three years old. So Im back on the 12 year old factory struts and it feels a LOT better, no more bouncing.