KE70 Corolla

1979-1983 / Sedan / Coupe / Japan

All KE70 Corolla problems All workshop issues

Common Suspension and Steering

Worn Bushings

Symptoms

Vague, imprecise handling. Clunking and knocking over bumps. Uneven tyre wear. The car wanders on the highway and feels disconnected in corners.

Cause

Every rubber bushing in the car — control arm bushings, trailing arm bushings, Panhard rod bushings, sway bar bushings, steering rack mounts — has perished from 40+ years of age, heat, and UV exposure.

Fix

Replace all suspension bushings.

A full polyurethane bushing kit is the best long-term solution: it firms up the chassis, lasts longer than rubber, and is widely available for the KE70/AE86 platform.

Cost: $150-350 for a full poly set, plus a day of labour.

Cost mentioned in fix

Cost: $150-350 for a

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// More KE70 Corolla problems

Other known issues

Common Suspension and Steering

Steering Rack Wear

Excessive play in the steering wheel before the front wheels respond. Vague centre feel. Clunking from the steering rack on rough surfaces.

Minor Rust and Corrosion

Rear Quarter Panel Corrosion

Bubbling paint on the rear quarter panels, progressing to perforation. Rust visible inside the boot behind the wheel arch trim. In severe cases, the inner wheelarch structure is completely gone and the outer skin is all that's holding the shape.

Common Rust and Corrosion

Boot Floor and Spare Tyre Well Corrosion

Soft, rusted, or perforated metal in the boot floor. Water pooling in the spare tyre well. Damp smell from the boot. Rust staining on the boot carpet.

Minor Rust and Corrosion

Sill (Rocker Panel) Corrosion

Paint bubbling along the sills below the doors. Soft metal when tapped. In severe cases, the sill collapses when jacked, and the door gaps change as the body flexes.

Minor Rust and Corrosion

Floor Pan Corrosion

Soft or perforated floor pans. Visible rust when the carpet is lifted. In extreme cases, you can see the road through the floor.

Critical Engine, 3K-C and 4K-C Pushrod Inline-4

Oil Leaks

Oil weeping or dripping from multiple points on the engine. Oil residue on the rocker cover, sump, and rear of the engine. Oil spots under the car.

View all 16 KE70 Corolla problems