Still having trouble with rear shocks

[nightmare22]

I'm working on getting a photo on here, but when I install the rear shock, everything looks like its correct. But when I lower the vehicle, the mount separates and the rod from the shock sticks up higher than normal and messes with the plastic trim inside the trunk.Has anyone had any issue like this while installing the tokico/s-tech combo?

[keithvibe]

as soon as you get your photo up, i'm sure someone can get you going in the right direction

[star_deceiver]

Did you remember to put the rubber AND metal washer on the top of the shock before installing it through the frame? Does the washer seat correctly?

[vibedrivermatt]

http://madstyle1972.com/Repair...n.pdfmaybe this will help out? I also think it sounds like something got put together wrong before putting that all together. Do you have all your rubber donut looking things in the right place? complete procedure- http://madstyle1972.com/Repair...1.pdfYou may want to use these TRD instuctions because it shows you how to remove and do one sturt at a time. At the very least it's helpful to look and both sets of instructions and compare. but torque specs are just different on 09 of course.http://www.trdsparks.com/insta...t.pdf. could it be that you have a strut that is incompatible with your vibe. Maybe you should check your part numbers and make sure that is indeen that part you need?

[Sublimewind]

Quote, originally posted by vibedrivermatt »http://madstyle1972.com/Repair...n.pdfFrom what the OP is saying and from the link you posted... he's missing the "LH Support Assy Rear Suspension" in the pic.. That is what supports the shaft inside of the mount tube itself.. it's either missing or broken..

[nightmare22]

I'm gonna go back and check those links, but I had an epiphany right after I posted that. It was the metal ring that normally seats on top of the strut bumper. I misread the instructions for the s-techs. I have to say that with all the miscues in this install, I have gotten very proficient at ripping the whole assembly apart.Now I have a couple more minor problems. The bump rubber doesn't stay inside that metal ring like the stock bump does. What have you guys done for this, or did you just not cut the bump stop?Has anyone else had an issue with the front upper mounts not staying flush like the stock setup? I'll get a pic on here as soon as I find my camera.

[nightmare22]

So here is a pic of the driver's side upper strut mount. For some reason this does not seem right to me, but idk if its part of the lowering process. Also, when I looked at the pic on my computer, I noticed those tiny beads of what is probably grease. Gonna go inspect while this is uploading.

[nightmare22]

Gonna try this again...

[nightmare22]

geez, this whole pic uploading is not going how I planned. Lets try photobucket. The beads felt like metal and just fell right off as soon as I touched them.

[keithvibe]

so you have issues with the front as well? wow, maybe you should have paid someone lolLooks as though you don't have the notch in the top of the strut alined with the notch in the top hat.

[nightmare22]

Lol, I was thinking the same thing. However, I'd never learn the right way if I didn't f it up. So now its time to fix the mistakes. In your opinion, do you think I've messed up the mounts and need new ones or do you think its salvageable?Also, still looking around for a solution to the spring bumpers on the rear. I got the mount issue dealt with (just me being a retard), but is there any(safe)way to secure the modified bumpers to the stock ring?Sidenote: Nice STB keith

[keithvibe]

When I have done spring installs for others, I haven't cut the bump stops because of this very issue your having. Though if you think about it it shouldn't mater if the bump stop stays at the top, it would move along the piston and perform the same thing.As for the mounts it should be usable still, but i'm not 100% sure. Looks as though it's just not seated correctly

[nightmare22]

Thanks for your advice and responses keith, hopefully I'll have a little more daylight tomorrow to take the fronts off and fix the mounts. Even with my semi-failed install, I can notice quite a few improvements with the car. Still getting used to the wheels staying in full contact with the road even over small bumps/dips.

[vibedrivermatt]

yeah I had this happen to me after I had put one of the fronts in, didn't notice it was aligned wrong until after the three strut tower nuts where back in. doh!! I had to take it back out and break down the strut assembly to get it aligned correctly.

[nightmare22]

Getting ready to tackle this, hopefully done in an hour.