1987 MK1 NA struts

daas2001 · 11-06-2005, 08:26 PM

Does anyone know what diffrences there between the struts on 85-86 ane 87-89 MK1. Mine was made 10/86 (1987 model) and trying to make shure i buy the wright ones. also what struts are good and should i replace the springs at the same time got 181k on it so far.

WIWhite87 · 11-06-2005, 09:20 PM

The 87-89 models had a different rear strut than the 85-86. The fronts were the same throughout the mk1 model.

It really depends what kind of ride and how much you want to spend as to which strut you choose to buy. I just put in some of the better replacments that can be bought--Tokico Illumina 5-way adjustables-- into both my project '87 NA and my '89 SC. Other soutions of the top of my head are KYB GR2s (near stock) or Tokico HPs that are non-adjustable.

I also replaced the springs in the '89 SC with Eibach Pro-kit springs. Sorry, I didn't get more than a couple rides in before having to store the car for winter. The '89 SC also got the TRD strut tops and will be getting the TRD rubber bushings in spring. My project '87 NA will have stock springs in good shape (taken from the low mileage '89 SC), stock strut tops (taken from the '89 SC) and the polyurethane bushing set from twosrus.com. I've never had an engine in it yet, so no road test yet

I do recommend doing struts, springs, and strut tops at the same time. Bushings can be done separately if needed. you'll probably want an alignment done afterwards, so include that in your budget.

daas2001 · 11-06-2005, 09:49 PM

Thanks for the info but i have to ask what strut tops? i thank I will go with KYB GR2s. had the car since it was new and want to keep it close to stock.
as for the springs do you thank the are worn after 181k or what springs are close to stock? Me ane the car have aged togather ane it hard for me to tell. The reason i asked the question until I got the car smoged last year, for all these years ...thaught the car was a 86 until i looked at the regerastration

.

WIWhite87 · 11-06-2005, 10:10 PM

At 181K the struts are way overdue.

I just changed my '89 SC struts and at 37K, 2 out of 4 were dead, 1 was weak, and another was in good shape.

The strut tops are what sit between the chassis and strut/spring assembly.

Look in here for info on what all the parts are: http://www.padandwheels.com/mr2/index.html

The strut top is the part circled in green: http://www.padandwheels.com/mr2/bush...suspension.jpg

11-06-2005, 08:26 PM	#1 (permalink)
daas2001 No Skills Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 4 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	1987 MK1 NA struts Does anyone know what diffrences there between the struts on 85-86 ane 87-89 MK1. Mine was made 10/86 (1987 model) and trying to make shure i buy the wright ones. also what struts are good and should i replace the springs at the same time got 181k on it so far.

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

11-06-2005, 09:20 PM	#2 (permalink)
WIWhite87 rollable project '87 Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Waukesha, WI Posts: 174 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	The 87-89 models had a different rear strut than the 85-86. The fronts were the same throughout the mk1 model. It really depends what kind of ride and how much you want to spend as to which strut you choose to buy. I just put in some of the better replacments that can be bought--Tokico Illumina 5-way adjustables-- into both my project '87 NA and my '89 SC. Other soutions of the top of my head are KYB GR2s (near stock) or Tokico HPs that are non-adjustable. I also replaced the springs in the '89 SC with Eibach Pro-kit springs. Sorry, I didn't get more than a couple rides in before having to store the car for winter. The '89 SC also got the TRD strut tops and will be getting the TRD rubber bushings in spring. My project '87 NA will have stock springs in good shape (taken from the low mileage '89 SC), stock strut tops (taken from the '89 SC) and the polyurethane bushing set from twosrus.com. I've never had an engine in it yet, so no road test yet I do recommend doing struts, springs, and strut tops at the same time. Bushings can be done separately if needed. you'll probably want an alignment done afterwards, so include that in your budget.

11-06-2005, 09:49 PM	#3 (permalink)
daas2001 No Skills Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 4 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	Thanks for the info but i have to ask what strut tops? i thank I will go with KYB GR2s. had the car since it was new and want to keep it close to stock. as for the springs do you thank the are worn after 181k or what springs are close to stock? Me ane the car have aged togather ane it hard for me to tell. The reason i asked the question until I got the car smoged last year, for all these years ...thaught the car was a 86 until i looked at the regerastration .

11-06-2005, 10:10 PM	#4 (permalink)
WIWhite87 rollable project '87 Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Waukesha, WI Posts: 174 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	At 181K the struts are way overdue. I just changed my '89 SC struts and at 37K, 2 out of 4 were dead, 1 was weak, and another was in good shape. The strut tops are what sit between the chassis and strut/spring assembly. Look in here for info on what all the parts are: http://www.padandwheels.com/mr2/index.html The strut top is the part circled in green: http://www.padandwheels.com/mr2/bush...suspension.jpg