car is now 'jouncy'....

Pablodragon · Post by **Pablodragon** » Wed Jul 27, 2011 7:13 pm

seem to be getting my rear end 'jittering' over rough bumps....seems like it kinda bounces around.... when I try and push up and down on the rear, I don't seem to be getting the 'dampening' effect, like the springs are ok, but the 'shock' part of the strut isn't dampening the rebound like it should.... I can push up and down on the rear and it just springs back like "boing, boing, boing"

I only have stock struts on an 04 SE... have never replaced anything on the rear suspension except the 'top-hats' when they were squeaking a couple years ago,,,by the way, the fronts seem fine...

do I have to replace the whole strut or can the 'shock/dampening' part just be replaced? (not interested in going lower... this tiny car rides shitty enough with roads we got around here...)

zhneon · Post by **zhneon** » Wed Jul 27, 2011 7:46 pm

Sounds like your rear struts are bad. They can be replaced individually, and if you are on stock springs you can get any oem replacement brand. Parts shouldn't be too expensive, but if you can't replace them yourself it may cost a bit for the work. You can definitely keep your semi new top hats and springs. Taking them off is actually pretty easy.

OB · Post by OB » Wed Jul 27, 2011 11:29 pm

^Correct. You do indeed have to replace the whole strut. The spring and tophat will be reused. The strut will come with a new upper nut and that's about it. You will need to remove the entire rear strut/spring assemblies, compress the springs, disassemble the top, then repeat in reverse using the new units. You can buy used stock ones here on the boards, or find them at a junk yard if your budget is tight. Otherwise, go for some OE style KYB's or the equivalent aftermarket replacement. Dealer will rip you off.

zhneon · Post by **zhneon** » Thu Jul 28, 2011 11:32 am

OB's writeup (how-to section) can actually show you now that I think about it. Great how-to, its how I learned how to do it myself. And he is right, get the struts from somewhere besides the dealer

Post by **occasional demons** » Thu Jul 28, 2011 11:50 am

zhneon wrote: They can be replaced individually,

They should be replaced in pairs, if that's what was meant. Don't think it was, but it could be taken as just replacing one strut.

zhneon · Post by **zhneon** » Sat Jul 30, 2011 4:33 am

I meant that he should only replace the struts vs. The whole assembly. Replacing just one prob won't help much at all lol

Pablodragon · Post by **Pablodragon** » Wed Aug 03, 2011 8:46 pm

any brands to stay away from or recommend?

thought I saw some Monroe rear stock replacements on Rock Auto for like 90 bucks each (left rear and a right rear)

Post by **occasional demons** » Wed Aug 03, 2011 9:16 pm

Since you are staying stock height, I think any name brand replacement would be fine.

03SXTGUY · Post by **03SXTGUY** » Fri Aug 05, 2011 9:53 am

Tokico Rear (Left)
Tokico Rear (Right)

For around $80/piece (cheap!) This is the route I went when my two back struts blew (had oil all over them). These are high performance gas struts w/ a lifetime Tokico warranty

I also found the 2 fronts (same part numbers as they are identical - the rears are HB2233 & HB2234 because of the rear sway bar link brackets) on Amazon for about $75/each shipped.

All in all, I paid around $268 shipped to my front door for all 4 brand new Tokico blues. It was an awesome find & love sharing it w/ other 2gn'ers who are in need of replacement struts. G'luck OP!

magner · Post by **magner** » Fri Aug 05, 2011 9:47 pm

KYB are also cost effective replacements.