OEM 2003 Toyota Echo Shock Absorber

2003 Toyota Echo Parts Questions & Experts Answers

• Q: How to remove and install a shock absorber on 2003 Toyota Echo?

  A: The process of shock absorber removal starts with removing both rear wheels then the package tray trim through removal of the high-mounted stop light along with its 2 clips. You can begin by disconnecting both the rear seat cushion and the seatback before extracting the two bolts from split-type rear seats and their seatback side hinge. The door scuff plate and door opening trim need removal followed by removing the quarter trim after taking out the bolt and rear seat outer belt. The roof side inner garnish removal on a 2-door model requires a bolt removal in combination with disconnection of the front seat outer belt shoulder anchor before you can extract the garnish from its position. The process starts by removing the room partition board and requires jacks to provide support to the rear axle beam at both sides. The shock absorber removal process requires starting by maintaining handheld control of the piston rod before disconnecting the 2 nuts which allows access to remove the washer and upper suspension support and the nut and shock absorber and finally the lower suspension support. The process for coil spring removal requires disconnecting the shock absorber from the axle beam after removing the opposite shock absorber lower side set nut and washer then lowering jacks gradually to extract the coil spring and its accompanying upper and lower insulators. The shock absorber inspection requires compressing and extending the rod to detect abnormal resistance or unusual sounds and warrants a replacement with a new unit if abnormalities appear. The gas discharge process requires a hole drilling into the cylinder while keeping safety in mind regarding flying parts since the gas is both odorless and colorless and non-harmful to human health. The coil spring installation requires fitting the upper insulator onto the coil spring end followed by the combination of lower insulator and coil spring attached to the axle beam. Lift the jacks simultaneously to connect both shock absorbers to the axle beam using washers and nuts. After the suspension stabilizes the next step includes torquing the nuts to 49 Nm (500 kgf-cm, 36 ft. lbs.). Begin by attaching the lower suspension support to the shock absorber afterward connect the upper suspension support along with washer to the body. Secure the piston rod while installing the lower nut to achieve proper rod length between 15 - 18 mm (0.591 - 0.709 inch) from the lower nut before torquing the upper nut against the lower one to 25 Nm (250 kgf-cm, 18 ft. lbs.). For a 2-door model replace the jacks with the room partition board followed by installing the roof side inner garnish before using the bolt to secure the front seat outer belt shoulder anchor with 41 Nm (420 kgf-cm, 30 ft. lbs.) torque value. You must first install the quarter trim and rear seat outer belt by torquing the bolt to 41 Nm (420 kgf-cm, 30 ft. lbs.) before attaching the door opening trim and door scuff plate and installing the rear seat with precise installation of the seatback side hinge that requires 2 bolts to be tightened to 37 Nm (380 kgf-cm, 27 ft. lbs.). The next step involves the package tray trim and rear wheels installation by torquing them to 103 Nm (1,050 kgf-cm, 76 ft. lbs.).