Scion tC Maintenace - Shock And Spring Replacement
The Scion’s ride quality is based on several things, yet some of the important items are the shocks and springs. If your Scion tC doesn’t feel right or if the car seems to “float,” it is time to change your shocks and springs. Here is a guide to help you change them out.
Is your Scion tC ready for a new set of shocks and struts? Here is how to replace them.
Like any automotive repair, preparation is key to getting the job done right. As you research how to replace them, also make sure you take the time to figure out where you are going to do this repair. Is it well lit? Is it clean? Do you own/have access to all the tools needed? Do you know how to use the tools? These are important questions that need to be addressed before you tackle this job.
For this job, you will need the following tools:
- Torque wrench
- Breaker bar
- Impact wrench
- Drive socket wrench/set
- Jack stands
- Floor jack.
- Metric wrench set
Replacing The Shocks And Springs
Before you begin replacing these parts, it is recommended you replace the front or back all at once.
In order to replace them:
- Loosen the lug nuts on the wheels.
- Raise the car up in the air and finish removing the lug nuts and the tires.
- Using jack stands, support the car in the air.
- Take another jack stand and support the lower suspension.
- Next, find and remove the front stabilizer link assembly bolt. It is located near the shock assembly.
- Then, remove the bolt on their other side. This bolt has the speed sensor and a flex hose. As you remove this bolt, carefully position the wires away from the shock assembly.
- Next, open your hood and/or trunk (depending on which ones you are replacing). The shock is like a “tower” and there are bolts holding it in from the top. You can find these in the front underneath the windshield wiper cowl. Remove it and you will find bolts below. In the back, you will need to look above the tire.
- Loosen the bolts on top of the tower that you found above.
- Now look back at the wheel well. Find bolts holding the shock assembly to the lower control arm. Loosen these bolts.
- With all the bolts loose, go back to the top of the tower and remove the bolts there.
- Then, go to the lower control arm and remove those bolts as well.
- Now that all the bolts have been removed. Carefully, pull the shock assembly out.
At this point, you have a few choices. You can either buy a new shock that simply swaps out the old one or you can replace the pieces of the shock assembly, compress the spring and reinsert it. It probably goes without saying that the ready-to-go replacement kits are quicker and easier, yet it is cheaper to replace the pieces yourself.
Whether your choose to swap out the shock assembly or replace the pieces yourself, you are going to reinsert the assembly back into the wheel well. Then, replace all the bolts and torque the top bolts to 38 ft. lbs, the lower control arm bolts to 177 ft. lbs., the center lock nut to 35 ft. lbs. (if you do this yourself), the speed sensor bolt to 14 ft. lbs. and the front stabilizer link assembly to 55 ft. lbs.
Questions?
