OEM 2001 Toyota Echo Coil Springs

2001 Toyota Echo Coil Springs Parts Q&A

• Q: How to remove and install the coil springs and shock absorber on 2001 Toyota Echo?

  A: The coil spring removal process starts with taking out the high-mounted stop light while removing 2 clips before extracting the package tray trim and the rear wheels. To begin work start by detaching the rear seat cushion and seatback followed by taking off the 2 bolts on split type rear seats and seatback side hinge. Begin by removing the door scuff plate and door opening trim before disconnecting the quarter trim through bolt and rear seat outer belt removal. The installation process for the roof side inner garnish on a 2-door model requires the removal of the bolt followed by disconnecting the front seat outer belt shoulder anchor before the garnish can be removed. Next remove the room partition board from the car while utilizing jacks to support the rear axle beam at both sides. Position the piston rod while removing the two nuts from the shock absorber component until completion of the washer and upper suspension support and between the nut washer shock absorber then finish with the removal of lower suspension support. First disconnect the lower side set nut and washer of the opposite shock absorber then decrease the jacks slowly to remove the coil spring along with both insulators. A proper inspection of the shock absorber operates when compressing and extending the rod to identify abnormal resistance or unusual sounds but the absorber needs replacement if problems are detected. The procedure for shock absorber disposal includes full rod extension followed by drilling a hole into the cylinder to release the inside gas while minimizing the risk of chips and recognizing the gas as colorless odorless nonpoisonous substance. The first step of installation involves placing the coil spring with the upper insulator at its end before securing both the lower insulator and coil spring to the axle beam. Link the shock absorbers to their positions on the axle beam while using washers and nuts and torque them to 49 Nm after suspension stabilization. The shock absorber accepts the lower suspension support before you place the upper suspension support along with the washer to the body while you maintain the piston rod position to achieve 15 - 18 mm (0.591 - 0.709 inch) lower nut extension and then install and torque the upper nut against the lower nut to 25 Nm (250 kgf-cm, 18 ft. lbs.). Remove the jacks, then install the room partition board, roof side inner garnish (with the front seat outer belt shoulder anchor on a 2-door model torqued to 41 Nm (420 kgf-cm, 30 ft. lbs.)), quarter trim (with the rear seat outer belt torqued to 41 Nm (420 kgf-cm, 30 ft. lbs.)), door opening trim and door scuff plate, rear seat (with the split type rear seat seatback side hinge installed with 2 bolts torqued to 37 Nm (380 kgf-cm, 27 ft. lbs.)), package tray trim, and finally, the rear wheels torqued to 103 Nm (1,050 kgf-cm, 76 ft. lbs.).