Celica Super-Strut Suspension Parts?

[Mikey Silo]

Hi everyone

I'm a very infrequent visitor here, but in the past it's you enthusiasts who've been most helpful when I've needed to know womthing about my Celica.

I'm driving a Jap import ST-202 Celica with superstrut suspension. Yesterday it failed the MOT due to the suspension on both front wheels. I've had no worrying signs like knocks, scrapes, vibrations, or anything, but I trust the garage (it's owned by my GF's family friend).

I got a diagram of the suspension set up online (attached) and went over it with them. They've told me that basically there's a lot of play on the centre bolt coming out of the lower arms (part No's 48606-29025 & 48605-29025), and they reckon it's these lower arms that need replacing.

What I need to know is...

1) Should it be common practise to replace the 'figure of 8' (part 48066-20061) along with a lower arm? The garage hasn't suggested this, but this post i found suggest maybe it is. Is there any danger in just getting the arms done?

2) Is is possible to just get a 'polly bush kit' with this wobbly bolt included for the arms? the garage suggested looking it up, but didn't know if it's available. If I can, is there a risk again in just replacing those and not the arms themselves?

3) Best price I've found for the arms is £239.95 each inc VAT on JDM Performance. Does any one know anywhere cheaper for the arms? Can anyone vouch for JDM Performance? I've already looked the parts up on www.japarts.co.uk and www.tcbparts.co.uk, and they're both more expensive. None specify if the arms are genuine parts or not.

I value your opinion, so any input is welcome. It's MOT is up on Tuesday next week, so unfortunately, since I need the car for work, I'm up against the clock.

Cheers

Mike

[dawesy]

as its the same setup as the GT4 its usually the Fig 8 part that goes first. if there is no sign of play in the fig 8 then there is no point replacing it unless you want peace of mind for a few years, think they are about £90 each.

easiest way to check the lower arm is jack up the front and place on axle stands then try and pull the wheel forward and backward from the front of the car, if there is any movement then the arms/fig 8 need replacing.

some people have converted to the std McPherson strut set up using normal lower arms and struts,may work out cheaper if you don't mind losing the super-strut setup

unfortunately there are no parts available to replace just the worn joint

[GT4 BOOSTER]

ask on here and the gt4 owners website if anyones changed the arm and has the old 1 for free , if its just the bush thats shot , a bush from a used arm maybe is all thats needed if thats what they failed it on, especially if your not getting any noises , most people change the fig 8 at the same time because they say the arms wear together that way and you only do the job once , fig 8 can be bought for £55 nowadays , the lower arm is way over priced for what it is. tcb only sell genuine toyota arms and im 100% sure you cant buy copies ,so wherever you buy from its gonna be a genuine toyota part. check with tcb on Part number: 42210-14010 not sure if this is the bush ??

some used lower arms on eBay going for £80 if you want a gamble.

you could also try packing some large plate washers either side of the bush to take up some of the free play

[aderiley]

you sure its not the crush tubes on the banana lower arms? £17 for uprated, i have just replaced them not to bad a job

[Mikey Silo]

Hi guys, just wanted to say thanks for the responses. I did check back late on Friday, but didn't have a chance to reply myself until now.

Anyway, it's gone in this morning for the work it needs, and they're gonna take it apart and see if there's anything they can do, or if it is indeed those arms for sure, before we go and buy the parts. The main thing I'm up against is time really, with the MOT up today and a 44 mile round trip to work everyday. I've got a courtesy car at the mkinute.The suggestions about getting used arms on eBay or on here to see if I can take the bushes out would be good otherwise.

It's good to know that those 'figure of 8's' don't necessarily need replacing with the arms anyway. The guys looking it over today should be able to say for sure then I hope, but i'll keep my fingers crossed they're fine... or that it's just those that need sorting!

GT4 Booster - cheers for the link to those bushes too, i'll check it out, but the only one's i could find seems to be for 2000 Celicas onwards.

Dawesy - Hmmm, not sure about changing the super strut to a standard suspension set up, but only cos i don't know enough about it. That post I quoted earlier haspeople sayign similar to the poster there, but then others saying it's a big job that needs a lot of work. with time in mind, it sounds like it would just keep me off the road for longer and could be just as much expense. but i'll keep it in mind and might look into it a bit more.

Aderiley - Regarding the crush tubes, maybe I guess... i can hope :) But I suppose that's something I'll find out after they've had it all apart today. At this stage anything aside from those arms would be better since they cost a fortune.

Cheers for the advice anyway, good to have an idea of prices and a bit more knowledge about the parts. I'll let you know what the outcome is.

[GT4 BOOSTER]

Hi guys, just wanted to say thanks for the responses. I did check back late on Friday, but didn't have a chance to reply myself until now.

Anyway, it's gone in this morning for the work it needs, and they're gonna take it apart and see if there's anything they can do, or if it is indeed those arms for sure, before we go and buy the parts. The main thing I'm up against is time really, with the MOT up today and a 44 mile round trip to work everyday. I've got a courtesy car at the mkinute.The suggestions about getting used arms on ebay or on here to see if I can take the bushes out would be good otherwise.

It's good to know that those 'figure of 8's' don't necessarily need replacing with the arms anyway. The guys looking it over today should be able to say for sure then I hope, but i'll keep my fingers crossed they're fine... or that it's just those that need sorting!

GT4 Booster - cheers for the link to those bushes too, i'll check it out, but the only one's i could find seems to be for 2000 Celicas onwards.

Dawesy - Hmmm, not sure about changing the super strut to a standard suspension set up, but only cos i don't know enough about it. That post I quoted earlier haspeople sayign similar to the poster there, but then others saying it's a big job that needs a lot of work. with time in mind, it sounds like it would just keep me off the road for longer and could be just as much expense. but i'll keep it in mind and might look into it a bit more.

Aderiley - Regarding the crush tubes, maybe I guess... i can hope :) But I suppose that's something I'll find out after they've had it all apart today. At this stage anything aside from those arms would be better since they cost a fortune.

Cheers for the advice anyway, good to have an idea of prices and a bit more knowledge about the parts. I'll let you know what the outcome is.

crush tubes sit inside the banana arm ( camber arm 2 ) they are not in the arms you speak of .