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Help with coilovers install.

Discussion in 'Prius c Accessories and Modifications' started by SamanthaC0716, Nov 20, 2016.

  1. SamanthaC0716

    SamanthaC0716 Active Member

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    Unboxed Tanabe Sustec Pro for Prius c and am unsure why certain parts either seem to be missing or are intended to be reused from the stock suspension.

    Has anyone installed coilovers and know whether these circled parts are to come from the stock suspension?

    IMG_0805.JPG

    IMG_0807.JPG


    iPhone ?
     
  2. RightOnTime

    RightOnTime Senior Member

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    Wow! Over 100 Views and no response :eek:

    Yes - Anything marked with the Words "genuine" will be used from your stock suspension (y)

    If you have any other questions, please fell free to ask;)
     
    mertechperformance likes this.
  3. SamanthaC0716

    SamanthaC0716 Active Member

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    Thank you. We were suspecting that's what "genuine" meant but hoping that it wasn't the case.

    I was also hoping that the coilovers came assembled so as to not have to use a spring compressor, but it now seems we'll have to use one compressor to assemble the new coilovers and to disassemble my old suspension in order to use those "genuine" parts.


    iPhone ?
     
  4. RightOnTime

    RightOnTime Senior Member

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    Congrats on your purchase!

    No need to use a spring compressor for the new coilovers but you will need the spring compressor to take apart your stock OEM 'Front' springs/shocks
     
  5. Christophers

    Christophers Active Member

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    The rears are part of the body already. The fronts are parts u have to take from your stock suspension. Hope that helps
     
  6. SamanthaC0716

    SamanthaC0716 Active Member

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    How is this possible? For the new set, the spring is not on the shock for 2 of the 4. Can't remember which, front or rear pair, is already assembled and don't have them in front of me to check right now.


    iPhone ?

    Are you talking about the two on the instructions that I have circled? I thought those looked like attachments to the body and not separate parts. Please confirm. That'd be really helpful.

    I'm thinking I'm going to order all parts that are marked as "genuine" to avoid having to take apart the current suspension. I have Tanabe springs on the stock shocks. The stock shocks are shot, and I won't need the springs anymore.


    iPhone ?

    And thanks to both of you guys for replying and talking this out with me. My brother and I are installing the coilovers, hopefully using a friend's lift, next weekend.


    iPhone ?
     
  7. Christophers

    Christophers Active Member

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    Yes everything circuled is part of your body. The other is part of your front suspension you have to take apart.
    yes
     
  8. SamanthaC0716

    SamanthaC0716 Active Member

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    Thanks. I'm gonna try to identify all parts today, obtain OEM part numbers, and then see whether it's worth it to order everything. What a hassle. I was very misguided with ordering coilovers and thinking this would be easier.


    iPhone ?

    For the front, it looks like I need this stuff... Upper mount, upper plate, and nuts. Does these pieces look right?

    IMG_0843.jpg

    And for the rear, it looks like I need the spring seat. Does this look correct?

    IMG_0847.jpg

    And here is a stock image of the coilovers I have...

    IMG_0846.JPG


    iPhone ?
     
  9. hayashi

    hayashi Junior Member

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    For your first pic (rear), the parts you circled are part of the chassis/torsion beam, so no replacement necessary.

    2nd pic (front), you'll need to reuse the oem rubber top mount, which you have circled.

    You pretty much got it, although you should just reuse the oem, because you'll have to take it apart as you are removing the oem spring/dampers anyways.

    For MOST applications, coilovers are easier because the fronts come as 1 assembled unit with a top hat, but unfortunately, for our chassis (prius C/2nd &3rd gen yaris/vitz) the front shock tower design prevents the usual top hat with the 2-3 mounting bolts per hat, so we get that oem rubber piece instead. This does make the installation more difficult than usual. The coilover might come with it's own hex nut though. If so, use that instead of the oem as the thread pitch might be different.

    Rear torsion beam design usually require you to reuse oem the rubber spring seat if it has one
     
  10. SamanthaC0716

    SamanthaC0716 Active Member

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    Thanks so much, hayashi.


    iPhone ?

    Am I able to access those stock pieces without the use of a spring compressor? That's what I'm trying to avoid altogether.


    iPhone ?
     
  11. Christophers

    Christophers Active Member

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    No you need the compressor in order to take it apart. Well unless you don't care and chance it flying.
     
  12. SamanthaC0716

    SamanthaC0716 Active Member

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    Thank you! No, no. We care. Haha. This is what I was most concerned with. I'm thinking that I'll order those OEM pieces new then... Gonna finish pricing everything out today.


    iPhone ?
     
  13. Hyper Hybrid

    Hyper Hybrid New Member

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    Almost every auto parts shop rents or loans spring compressors. Better safe, than sorry. It requires a few more minutes, but the safety is worth it. The hardest part of the whole job is putting the nuts back on the top rear spring mounts.

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
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  14. SamanthaC0716

    SamanthaC0716 Active Member

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    I'm not looking to disassemble the current suspension, simply to remove and swap... The only reason this is a discussion at all is because I wrongfully assumed that the Tanabe coilovers would be completely assembled and ready to install, not that pieces from the current suspension would need to be reused. My choices seem to be using a spring compressor to take apart my current springs and shocks and reuse the OEM parts needed OR to purchase the needed OEM parts new and use them with the coilovers... I'm still unclear as to whether that second option would require using a spring compressor.


    iPhone ?
     
  15. Hyper Hybrid

    Hyper Hybrid New Member

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    I may be incorrect, but I believe you will need a compressor in either case.

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
  16. Christophers

    Christophers Active Member

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    Mostly all coilovers for our type of suspension needs parts from the stock suspension to complete it.
     
  17. SamanthaC0716

    SamanthaC0716 Active Member

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    The million-dollar question!


    iPhone ?

    Lameeeeeeeeeee.


    iPhone ?
     
  18. Christophers

    Christophers Active Member

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    It's the same for a lot of other coilovers also. Tein is known for using stock bumpers ect. I know some brands that don't need them but they don't make coils for our car.
     
  19. SamanthaC0716

    SamanthaC0716 Active Member

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    Getting a quote from a shop... How's that for "help" with an install? Haha. I'm hoping the estimate isn't astronomical.


    iPhone ?
     
  20. Christophers

    Christophers Active Member

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    Usually it's the same cost as r&r around like $200-$400