What tools am I going to need to install the TRD springs?

I have some metric wrenches, screwdrivers, and other basic tools.

I know I will need a spring compressor, what else?

 

You're probably going to need a breaker bar for the lower strut bolts. An impact wrench would make that job a whole lot easier. From what I've read about the tC, and what I've experienced when swapping out springs on Hondas (which is pretty much the same operation bolt for bolt), those lower bolts can be a _____ to get out even on new cars.

 

I did the spring install on my xA a couple nights ago...all with hand tools. If you don't have impact tools, you need at least 1 friend (no scrawny dweebs), a breaker bar, thick (enough) gloves, metric sockets (I don't know what is needed for a tC install), a flathead screw driver....a spring compressor would be nice, too.

My left hand is all cut up because I didn't wear gloves. I held the strut while a friend used the breaker bar to break the strut nut loose.

 

If you are not useing an air gun, which I would HIGHLY recommend...

you need a socket set, wrenches, an air compressor, and a screw driver. It takes about 4 hours without an air gun....believe me cause we did mine by hand. The rear bolts ARE a _____ to remove...specifically the passenger side- mine broke TWO socket wrenches.

But, that is all you need...it's not that hard to do, but its a lot of work to do by hand.

Oh ya...and definately a friend!!!

 

thanks everyone!

 

make sure you have a spring compressor handy for this one. Oh and make sure you mark the rear strut assemblies before you take them apart. That way when you put the new springs in, the top mount and strut line up to the bolt holes.

 

rear springs are the biggest PITA

 

Haha you're not supposed to use cazy force on socket wrenches... that's what a 1/2" breaker bar is for. Using a pipe on a socket wrench to remove bolts like that will break even the best socket wrenches.

 

I would read the other post related to spring installs.
you can find the exact size tools needed.

look in corner carvers forum

 

Thanks again for everyone’s advice. Got a few more related questions.

Where is the best place for me to get a hold of said tools? Would AutoZone loan them out?

I am also considering adding the rear sway bar while I am working on it. Do I need anything else?

I consider myself mechanically inclined, but I have very little experience with cars. What do I risk screwing up?

 

autozone may rent out an air compressor and air gun and a socket set and you'll need spring compressors and a screwdriver - it's not all that difficult if you can get off the rear bolt, BrianXB on scionlife did the job for my and I helped kinda, more like disassembled the car while he used the air gun on everything, and I stood on the rear arm while he got the shock out - it's not all that difficult of a job to do, and you really can't screw up anything if you torque all the bolts down to the proper setting - just make sure you tighten the bolts on the shocks TIGHT!!! if they're lose it'll make a horrid clanking noise when you're driving, otherwise you should be fine - for the sway bar all you really need is the correct size socket wrench, and you can finagle the stock bar out and the new bar in without removing anything else, just be careful and twist that sucker around till it goes in right.

I'd have to say you NEED an air gun and compressor, I have no idea how it would've been done by hand, heck, the wheels would've taken like a half an hour to get off on their own without it - not to mention trying to break the back bolt free, brian used like a 3-foot extender or something, wasn't really sure but he said it was a _____.

otherwise it's easy, but time consuming - took us about 4 hours but we were taking our time and screwing around too, a pro could do it in 2 hours, newbie at the worst alone would take 5. Just don't pay somebody too much to do it, like I said it's not hard to do it just takes a while - the dealer said it would cost me about $500+ for the install even though I paid $480 for the shocks, springs and rear sway rofl - brian did it for $175 and a case of beer :twisted:

 

17mm and 19mm sockets, 17mm and 19mm wrenches, as well as a hex-key set. Definately have a breaker bar. I found that the best method (with no air gun) to remove the back bolts was to hold one bolt in place, and on the other side use a breaker bar and a jack lift to SLOWLY turn it. It works like a charm and doesn't break anything :D

Oh, and the obvious jack, jack stands, and patience.

 

you forgot a 14mm to remove the swaybar on the rear. Removing the swaybar in the rear helps a lot on removing the rear strut set-up. Pushing down on the arm with the swaybar on is not fun, because the swaybar is pushing back on you.