Important!

This replacement procedure can be used for:
TOYOTA Corolla Saloon (_E18_, ZRE1_) 1.6 (ZRE171_, ZRE181_), TOYOTA Corolla Saloon (_E18_, ZRE1_) 1.8 VVTi (ZRE172, ZRE182), TOYOTA Corolla Saloon (_E18_, ZRE1_) 1.6 (ZRE181_), TOYOTA Corolla Saloon (_E18_, ZRE1_) 1.4 D-4D (NDE180_, NDE170_), TOYOTA Corolla Saloon (_E18_, ZRE1_) 1.3 (NRE180_) … View more

The steps may slightly vary depending on the car design.

This video shows the replacement procedure of a similar car part on another vehicle

All the parts you need to replace – Shock Absorber for Corolla Saloon (_E18_, ZRE1_) and other TOYOTA models

Alternative products

Shock absorber

Replacement: suspension strut – TOYOTA COROLLA Saloon (NRE18_, ZRE17_, ZRE18_, NDE18_). Tools you might need:

                      Wire brush
                    
                      WD-40 spray
                    
                      Brake cleaner 
                    
                      Copper grease 
                    
                      Combination spanner #14
                    
                      Combination spanner #17
                    
                      Combination spanner #22
                    
                      Drive socket # 14 
                    
                      Drive socket # 17 
                    
                      Drive socket # 21 
                    
                      Drive socket # 22 
                    
                      HEX bit no.H6.
                    
                      Wheel impact socket #21
                    
                      Ratchet wrench
                    
                      Torque wrench
                    
                      Tap wrench
                    
                      Crow bar
                    
                      Chain wrench
                    
                      Hydraulic strut spring compressor
                    
                      Hydraulic transmission jack
                    
                      Fender cover
                    
                      Wheel chock

Buy tools

Replacement: suspension strut – TOYOTA COROLLA Saloon (NRE18_, ZRE17_, ZRE18_, NDE18_). AUTODOC experts recommend:

Both shock struts of the front suspension should be replaced simultaneously.
The replacement procedure is identical for the left and right shock struts of the front suspension.
Please note: all work on the car – TOYOTA COROLLA Saloon (NRE18_, ZRE17_, ZRE18_, NDE18_) – should be done with the engine switched off.

Carry out replacement in the following order:

Step 1

Open the bonnet.

Step 2

Use a fender protection cover to prevent damaging paintwork and plastic parts of the car.

Step 3

Clean the fasteners of the shock strut upper mount. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 4

Loosen the upper fastener of the shock strut mount. Use a combination spanner #14.
Step 5

Secure the wheels with chocks.
Step 6

Loosen the wheel mounting bolts. Use wheel impact socket #21.
Step 7

Raise the front of the car and secure on supports.

Step 8

Unscrew the wheel bolts.

AUTODOC recommends:
Warning! To avoid injury, hold the wheel while unscrewing the fastening bolts. TOYOTA COROLLA Saloon (NRE18_, ZRE17_, ZRE18_, NDE18_)
Step 9

Remove the wheel.
Step 10

Clean the stabiliser link fasteners. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 11

Disconnect the wiring and the brake hose from the bracket on the shock strut. Use a drive socket #14. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 12

Clean the fasteners connecting the shock strut to the steering knuckle. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 13

Unscrew the fastener connecting the stabilizer link to the shock strut. Use a combination spanner #17. Use HEX No.H6. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 14

Remove the stabilizer rod.

Replacement: suspension strut – TOYOTA COROLLA Saloon (NRE18_, ZRE17_, ZRE18_, NDE18_). AUTODOC recommends:
Examine stabiliser bushes. Replace them if needed.
Step 15

Unscrew the lower fastener connecting the shock strut to the steering knuckle. Use a combination spanner #22. Use a drive socket #22. Use a tap wrench.
Step 16

Prop up the steering knuckle. Use a hydraulic transmission jack.
Step 17

Remove the fastening bolts.
Step 18

Disconnect the steering knuckle from the shock absorber strut.
Step 19

Unscrew the top fastening of the shock strut mount.

Replacement: suspension strut – TOYOTA COROLLA Saloon (NRE18_, ZRE17_, ZRE18_, NDE18_). Tip:
To avoid injuries, hold the shock strut when undoing the fastening bolts.
Step 20

Remove the suspension strut.
Step 21

Set the shock absorber strut on the spring compressor tool.

Replacement: suspension strut – TOYOTA COROLLA Saloon (NRE18_, ZRE17_, ZRE18_, NDE18_). Tip from AUTODOC experts:
Note that when using a spring compressor, spring coils need to be securely gripped, compressing the spring on the opposite sides.Ensure the correct position of the spring in the retainer.Make sure that the spring coils tightly entered the lock handles.
Step 22

Compress the spring.
Step 23

Remove the shock strut mount cap. Use a crowbar.
Step 24

Treat the shock strut rod. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 25

Remove the strut piston rod nut. Use a chain wrench. Use a drive socket #21. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 26

Remove the shock absorber mount, boot and bump stop. Use a crowbar.

AUTODOC recommends:
Replacement: suspension strut – TOYOTA COROLLA Saloon (NRE18_, ZRE17_, ZRE18_, NDE18_). Carefully inspect the mount, the boot, and the bump stop of the shock absorber. Replace if necessary.
Step 27

Release the coil spring.
Step 28

Remove the spring.
Step 29

Remove the old shock absorber from the hydraulic coil spring compressor.

Replacement: suspension strut – TOYOTA COROLLA Saloon (NRE18_, ZRE17_, ZRE18_, NDE18_). Professionals recommend:
Before installing a new shock absorber you should pump it manually 3-5 times.
Step 30

Install the new shock absorber on the hydraulic coil spring compressor.
Step 31

Install the spring on the shock absorber.
Step 32

Compress the spring.
Step 33

Install the mount, the boot and the bump stop on the shock absorber.
Step 34

Tighten the shock strut piston rod nut. Use a chain wrench. Use a drive socket #21. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 47 Nm torque.

Replacement: suspension strut – TOYOTA COROLLA Saloon (NRE18_, ZRE17_, ZRE18_, NDE18_). Tip from AUTODOC experts:
Check to make sure the spring is positioned correctly. Avoid its misalignment.
Step 35

Treat the shock strut rod. Use copper grease.
Step 36

Install the shock strut mount cap.
Step 37

Decompress the spring.
Step 38

Remove the assembled shock strut.

Step 39

Install the shock strut into the wheel arch.
Step 40

Screw the top fastening of the shock strut mount. Do not tighten it.

AUTODOC recommends:
Important! Hold the suspension strut while screwing in the fastening bolts. TOYOTA COROLLA Saloon (NRE18_, ZRE17_, ZRE18_, NDE18_)
Step 41

Clean the mounting seats of the shock strut. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 42

Fix the shock absorber strut on the steering knuckle.
Step 43

Install the fastening bolts.
Step 44

Screw in the fastener that connects the shock strut to the steering knuckle. Use a combination spanner #22. Use a drive socket #22.
Step 45

Tighten the lower fasteners connecting the shock strut to the steering knuckle. Use a drive socket #22. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 240 Nm torque.
Step 46

Remove the support from under the steering knuckle.

AUTODOC recommends:
Replacement: suspension strut – TOYOTA COROLLA Saloon (NRE18_, ZRE17_, ZRE18_, NDE18_). Lower the transmission jack smoothly, without jerks, to avoid damaging components and mechanisms.
Step 47

Fasten the brake hose on the strut. Connect the fastener of the ABS sensor cable to the shock absorber strut. Use a drive socket #14. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 48

Ιnstall the transverse stabilizer link.
Step 49

Tighten the fastener connecting the stabilizer link to the shock strut. Use a drive socket #17. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 74 Nm torque.
Step 50

Treat the shock strut fasteners. Use copper grease.
Step 51

Treat the surface where the brake disc contacts the wheel rim. Use copper grease.
Step 52

Clean the brake disk surface. Use a brake cleaner.

Replacement: suspension strut – TOYOTA COROLLA Saloon (NRE18_, ZRE17_, ZRE18_, NDE18_). Tip:
After applying the spray, wait a few minutes.
Step 53

Install the wheel.

AUTODOC recommends:
Important! Hold the wheel while screwing in the fastening bolts. TOYOTA COROLLA Saloon (NRE18_, ZRE17_, ZRE18_, NDE18_)
Step 54

Screw in the wheel bolts. Use wheel impact socket #21.
Step 55

Lower the car.

Step 56

Tighten the upper fastener of the shock absorber strut mount. Use a drive socket #14. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 50 Nm torque.
Step 57

Treat the fasteners of the shock strut mount. Use copper grease.

Step 58

Remove the fender protection cover.

Step 59

Close the hood.

Step 60

Tighten the wheel bolts using a criss-cross pattern. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 103 Nm torque.
Step 61

Remove the jacks and chocks.

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