How to Replace the Rear Struts on a '95 Toyota Avalon

The 1995 Toyota Avalon shares a platform with the Camry. The Avalon was equipped with a 3.0-liter V-6 engine and had fully independent front and rear suspension, using MacPherson struts at all four wheels. The MacPherson strut simplifies the suspension system by combining the shock absorber and coil spring into a unit and eliminates the need for an upper control arm. Struts should be replaced in pairs.

Instructions

Removal

1

Park the Avalon on a level, paved surface.

2

Enter the rear passenger compartment and squeeze the base of the center mounted stop light. Lift up the light and disconnect the bulb. Remove the light. Lift up on the bottom of the lower seat cushion and remove the bolts that hold it to the floorboard with a ratchet and socket. Remove the cushion.

3

Remove the bolts along the bottom of the seat back with a ratchet and socket. Remove the seat back. Pry out the plastic clips that hold the front of the package shelf to the body with a trim tool. Unbolt the shoulder harness belts and guide them through the slots in the shelf. Remove the shelf.

4

Remove the dust cap from the top of the strut. Remove the three nuts from the top of the strut with a ratchet and socket.

5

Block the front wheels with wheel chocks. Loosen the lug nuts on the rear wheels. Raise the rear of the Avalon with a jack and support with jack stands. Remove the lug nuts and wheels.

6

Remove the bolts from the brake hose bracket and ABS wire at the strut and the nut that attaches the sway bar link to the strut with a ratchet and socket.

7

Remove the nuts from the bottom of the strut with a ratchet and socket. Support the axle carrier with a jack. Use a hammer and punch to tap out the bolts. Lower the jack until the top studs clear the body. Remove the bottom of the strut from the carrier and remove the strut.

8

Attach a coil spring compressor to the coil spring and compress it until is not exerting pressure on the spring seats. Remove the nut and collar from the strut with a ratchet and socket. Remove the strut support, coil spring, bumper and lower insulator.

Installation

9

Seat the lower insulator on the strut. Slide the bumper over the strut rod. Mount the spring on the lower insulator with the end of the spring against the stop in the insulator. Mount the upper support, collar and nut. Use a torque wrench to torque the nut to 36 foot-pounds.

10

Align the upper support so the stud that is farthest from the other two is lined up with the lower strut bracket and pointing toward the wheel.

11

Slide the strut into the fender well so the studs line up with the holes in the top of the strut tower. Mount the bottom of the strut onto the axle carrier and install the bolts and nuts. Install the three upper nuts and torque them to 29 foot-pounds. Torque the lower nuts to 188 foot-pounds.

12

Bolt the brake line to the strut and torque the bolt to 22 foot-pounds. Bolt the ABS harness to the strut and torque the bolt to 48 inch-pounds 4 foot-pounds. Attach the sway bar link to the strut and torque the nut to 47 foot-pounds.

13

Mount the wheels and lug nuts. Raise the Avalon, remove the jack stands and lower it to the ground. Torque the lug nuts to 76 foot-pounds.

14

Slide the shoulder harness straps through the package shelf. Install and torque the bolts to 30 foot-pounds. Push in the retaining clips on the shelf. Mount the seat back on the body. Install and torque the bolts to 13 foot-pounds. Install the seat cushion and bolts. Torque the bolts to 13 foot-pounds. Connect the light bulb to the center mounted stop light and snap the light into place.