Celica (A20/A40)

1970-1981 / Coupe / Liftback / Japan

All Celica (A20/A40) problems All workshop issues

Common Suspension

Bushing Deterioration

Symptoms

Clunking from the suspension, vague steering, poor handling. The car doesn't feel as precise as it should.

Cause

All rubber bushings in the suspension perish over 50 years. The front strut mounts, control arm bushings, rear trailing arm bushings, and anti-roll bar bushings all degrade.

Fix

Replace all bushings.

Polyurethane alternatives are available for many locations.

Front suspension refresh: $150--400.

Rear suspension refresh: $150--300.

Cost mentioned in fix

$150

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Other known issues

Common Suspension

Rear Axle Hop

Under hard acceleration or hard cornering on bumpy surfaces, the live rear axle hops or tramples, causing momentary loss of traction.

Common Suspension

Shock Absorber Wear

Bouncy ride, poor body control, wallowing in corners.

Critical Body and Structure

Floor Pan Corrosion

Soft or thinning floors, particularly in the driver's and passenger's footwells. Wet carpet after rain. Road noise increases.

Critical Body and Structure

Lower Quarter Panel Corrosion

Rust and perforation in the lower rear quarter panels, behind and above the rear wheels.

Minor Body and Structure

Inner Guard Corrosion

Rust in the engine bay around the inner fenders and strut tower bases.

Minor Body and Structure

Sill Corrosion

The rocker panels soften, crumble, and lose structural integrity.

View all 18 Celica (A20/A40) problems