tokico shocks/struts and help with install.

[latham83]

so i'm probably going to get the tokico hp's shocks/struts for my 90 lx...any problem with keeping my stock springs in there? I have a tight budget..
also is there anything else I should replace while im working in that area? Do i have to buy any bushings/extra parts at all to do this job, or can I just buy the shocks/struts...
and im not familiar with suspension parts, but what is this cc plate everyone is talking about and getting? Can i just leave my stock plate there??
I don't race, my we did rebuild my engine and tranny and stuff like that, so its a nice car, i just don't need insane suspension upgrades..i hardly drive it, and i just want to get my stock struts/shocks outta there, cause my back shocks are leaking, and my steering wheel vibrates up and down while im driving, therefore thinking my struts are prob. shot

 

[HISSIN50]

Sounds good. It doesnt sound like you need CC plates (they come into play for lowered cars or corner carvers). You might need to replace your strut bushings. Each strut as one and they sit at the top of your strut rod (at the stock "CC" plate). Mine were starting to crack, so they were replaced. Otherwise, you should be good and the dampers should work well with your stock springs.



Good luck.

 

[latham83]

hey thanks man.. so your saying I have to buy strut bushings SEPARATELY? The tokico kit of 2 shocks and 2 struts will not come with any bushings?

Also I was looking at the chilton manual and the strut/shock install seems pretty simple... I don't need any special tools do i? and as for the spring, It looks like I do not have to mess with it..it will stay put, is this true?

and does ANYONE know where i can find a nice picture layout of the suspension parts/torque settings and such for 90 5.0?
I'd like to go over everything down there with a wrench and make sure everythings ok... most of the suspension parts have about 175,000 on them..

 

[HISSIN50]

hey thanks man.. so your saying I have to buy strut bushings SEPARATELY? The tokico kit of 2 shocks and 2 struts will not come with any bushings?

Also I was looking at the chilton manual and the strut/shock install seems pretty simple... I don't need any special tools do i? and as for the spring, It looks like I do not have to mess with it..it will stay put, is this true?

and does ANYONE know where i can find a nice picture layout of the suspension parts/torque settings and such for 90 5.0?
I'd like to go over everything down there with a wrench and make sure everythings ok... most of the suspension parts have about 175,000 on them..

Yes, the strut bushing is a separate item. I think I paid 20 bucks or less for a set of aftermarket ones for my 94 and a bit more for stock replacements on the '88.

For the shocks/strut R/R it's nice to have access to an air impact gun but it isn't requisite. You might fight the top strut mounting bolt (a blap with an impact is nice here), and sometimes it's a pain to remove the top fastener on shocks. Hitting them with some PB Blaster the day and 10 minutes before you start never hurts.

Springs indeed stay put.

For torque specs, if it's not in the repair manual, I tend to use common sense. Most of the fasteners can take a pretty solid reefing.
Good luck.

 

[latham83]

hey thanks alot of the help! i appreciate it..
um hey since you seem to know your stuff,
well my rear shocks have been leaking so i know they are bad, and are stock so thats 17 years old, but anyway, one of the reasons im changing my struts is because i've had a shaking problem..
my steering wheel shakes up and down fast while im driving..worse at certain speeds..it doesnt shimmy left or right though..so thats why im thinking the struts are shot...
is there anything else you think i should look at under there or replace??? that would be making it do this?

 

[latham83]

bump

 

[Flavadave4]

If the steering wheel is hoppping its usually something with the tire out of balance, but if the struts are bad enough it could give ou the same symptoms. New bushings are a nice thing, keeps everything tight......I installed new springs, struts, shocks and polyurethane bushings and it was night and day differnce from the stock set up.

BTW If you ever plan on lowering the car i would wait till you can afford to do it all at once!

 

[HISSIN50]

The actual steering wheel moves up and down? WTF? Even if the suspension is articulating, the steering wheel should not move. Grab your rack (no offense to any female viewers out there ) and see if there is up and down play.

Good luck.

 

[latham83]

haha yea ill check the rack,
but its not exactly "moving" up and down..its shaking... like you know when your tires are out of balance and you have a real fast shimmy from left to right...well this is what its doing, but up and down.

even so, my rear shocks have been leaking and im sure my 17 year old struts are on their way out, new ones can't hurt im sure...and bushings.

 

[Shakerhood]

I would look at getting a pair of Ford Racing Lower A Arms as they have new Bushings and Upgraded Ball Joints, with the time and miles on your car I would say they are due.