Ok... I got the front tokicos w/ H&Rs installed... But I can't figure out the back. I removed the 2 bolts holding the mount to the trunk... Now I am trying to remove the bolt that does into the bottom of the shock... I think its a 17mm bolt... But I can't turn it... even with a breaker bar, and its slowly stripping the bolt. Which way do I turn it? And do I need to turn the nut also? (do i need to remove rotor?)

 

Yeah, it's 17mm. I used a 24" breaker bar and even then it was hard to break loose. I think I kicked the handle. It'll probably make a screeching sound when breaking loose. You don't need to hold or turn the nut, it's already held in place.

 

I second that...try adding some WD40 to the bolt - should help.

Brian

 

Boy that was a Sonuvab1tch to get loose. I used a T-bar type lug nut remover on the end of my Craftsman half inch drive ratchet for leveridge and it still took all of 15 minutes per side to break that thing loose! Just lean on the bastard and as mentioned some WD40 won't hurt!

 

I forgot to add, wow, you got your Tokicos fast! Were they shipped overnight or did you find them locally?

 

Got it out... Turned out the ratchet I was using was damaged from the force I was putting on it... Used another and a peice of pipe and it came out.

Everything is in... The ride is very nice so far except for a "groan" noise every time I accelerate or hit bumps from the rear...

Also. How am I suppose to torque everything down in the back if I can't even fit a normal wrench in there... Is there an easy way of removing the metal trimming thats blocking the rear strut tops?

 

I live in California... They shipped it ground and they came the next day, and the springs arrived a day later.

 

I used a 1/8" drive ratchet to start the outer nut then used a box end wrench for final torquing...the inner nut I could get a 3/8" drive on easily for torquing....that outer one is hell to get back on...once on just get a small wrench of ratchet and you should be OK.

 

I used a universal joint and extensions with rachet. It was a PITA. I could fit a small ratchet directly on there too, but there wasn't much freedom of movement. I got a nice cut on my thumb from that sheetmetal.

 

I did the same thing...extensions with a universal joint. The tricky part for me was getting my big 1/2" torque wrench in there.

Brian

 

Sounds like a freakin hassle. Makes me not feel so bad for payin for install.

Tell more about the ride. you haven't said anything about the ride yet! Are you on rails or what?

 

The ride is damn good... Strange thing is the groaning noise isn't made when I stand on my bumper and jump up and down while howling like a wild monkey... Maybe I can't hear it because I'm too busy howling? j/k I wonder what the noise is....

Anyone?

 

bump... could it possibly be that I need to wrap the coils... or tighten the top nut?

 

Hey melteye did you use the rubber covers for the springs that was on the stock springs for the top part of the spring not just the bottom ones? I found that when installed with weight on the spring the top few coils get compressed and actually touch each other. I know this is true for the front, but haven't checked the rear yet. I believe this is your source of noise.

 

My stock springs only had the rubber covering on the bottom... But I will buy some tubing from home depot and replace the top and bottom covers on the rears.... What kind of tubing and what size should I use?

The ride is GREAT, handles much better...