# Should I replace shocks or struts on 1997 Tercel? **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Tags:** toyota, tercel\ **Created:** [April 15, 2017, 5:01pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/should-i-replace-shocks-or-struts-on-1997-tercel/103023 "2017-04-15T17:01:57Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![lpear01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ce73a5/32.png) [@lpear01](https://community.cartalk.com/u/lpear01)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2017, 5:01pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/should-i-replace-shocks-or-struts-on-1997-tercel/103023/1 "2017-04-15T17:01:57Z")
I have a 1997 Tercel that runs great but obviously needs some cushion. Do I need to replace both shocks and struts or would replacing one of them be sufficient. . ---
**Author:** ![kurtwm1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/13edae/32.png) [@kurtwm1](https://community.cartalk.com/u/kurtwm1)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2017, 5:23pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/should-i-replace-shocks-or-struts-on-1997-tercel/103023/2 "2017-04-15T17:23:52Z")
shocks and struts should always be replaced in pairs. ---
**Author:** ![Tester](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/tester/32/15976_2.png) [@Tester](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Tester)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2017, 5:24pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/should-i-replace-shocks-or-struts-on-1997-tercel/103023/3 "2017-04-15T17:24:36Z")
If any of the shocks/struts indicate replacement is required, it’s always a good idea to replace all of them. Because if one is worn out, the others aren’t far behind. Tester ---
**Author:** ![Docnick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ecae2f/32.png) [@Docnick](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Docnick)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2017, 5:33pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/should-i-replace-shocks-or-struts-on-1997-tercel/103023/4 "2017-04-15T17:33:55Z")
Replace both. ---
**Author:** ![texases](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/texases/32/862_2.png) [@texases](https://community.cartalk.com/u/texases)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2017, 9:54pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/should-i-replace-shocks-or-struts-on-1997-tercel/103023/5 "2017-04-15T21:54:42Z")
Without knowing how old the current shocks/struts are, it’s hard to say whether to get 2 or 4. ---
**Author:** ![George\_San\_Jose1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e5b9ba/32.png) [@George\_San\_Jose1](https://community.cartalk.com/u/George_San_Jose1)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2017, 11:31pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/should-i-replace-shocks-or-struts-on-1997-tercel/103023/6 "2017-04-15T23:31:49Z")
Are asking if you can replace just the shocks, but not the struts, which presumes your car has both, one for the front, and the other for the rear? If that’s your question, you need to replace what needs replacing obviously, and for suspension components what’s replaced on one side of the axle should be replaced on the other side. ---
**Author:** ![BillRussell](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/billrussell/32/3179_2.png) [@BillRussell](https://community.cartalk.com/u/BillRussell)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2017, 1:45pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/should-i-replace-shocks-or-struts-on-1997-tercel/103023/7 "2017-04-16T13:45:06Z")
> [@lpear01](#): > > Do I need to replace both shocks and struts or would replacing one of them be sufficient You need to elaborate on this, as GeorgeSanJose mentions above. Is this about two shocks/struts or four? Are you asking if you can replace the shock/strut on one side without replacing both? Are you asking if you can replace a shock without replacing a strut? ---
**Author:** ![Cavell](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/cavell/32/43396_2.png) [@Cavell](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Cavell)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2017, 1:53pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/should-i-replace-shocks-or-struts-on-1997-tercel/103023/8 "2017-04-16T13:53:30Z")
Tercel has front/rear strut assy’s.