Celica (A20/A40)

1970-1981 / Coupe / Liftback / Japan

Common Suspension

Shock Absorber Wear

Bouncy ride, poor body control, wallowing in corners.

The original shock absorbers are decades past their service life. Even replacements fitted 15--20 years ago are likely worn.

Replace with quality aftermarket dampers.

KYB and Tokico units are available.

Cost: $150--400 per set of four.

Cost mentioned in fix

Cost: $150

Owned a Toyota Celica (A20/A40)? Share your experience with this issue. What worked, what didn't, costs, tips. Help the community.

// More Celica (A20/A40) problems

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

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

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

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

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

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