Upgrade rear suspension only?

[Orkin]

I'm going to be doing some rear end suspension work soon (passenger side strut mount is shot), and I got to thinking...if I'm going to have it apart, why not put in new struts/springs while I'm at it? I've been wanting to do a Tokico/Eibach combo for a few months now. The problem is I don't really have the cash to get new struts and springs, and rebuild the rear and front suspension right now (rebuilding the front is ~$400 just for mounts, bushings, LCAs, endlinks, etc.), but I really need to replace the rear strut mount.

My question is, would there be any bad side effects from putting in stiffer struts and springs in the rear, and waiting a couple months to upgrade the front? I can see how it could make for a strange ride, but would it be hard to control, or put more stress on other parts? Should I just leave the old (sagging) springs and struts in there for now, and replace all four later on?

Thanks for any suggestions,
Orkin

 

[Electricat]

Nah, won't hurt anything, as long as you aren't planning something radical for the rear (huge swaybar, 4" drop, etc.) You should get an alignment done afterwards, but since it is the rear, which is largely non-adjustable, I would just drive it until I could get the front rebuilt, then get my alignment. (Provided it doesn't drive real weird when you get the new rear stuff in, of course.) Also keep a close eye for it causing odd tire wear.

I think this is a good idea, avoid doing the same job twice. Plus the 3 nuts at the top of the struts are a PITA, once is enough on those!!

 

[Orkin]

Thanks for input! I think I'll go ahead and upgrade it while I'm in there. I picked up strut mounts, torsion bar bushings, sway bar bushings and endlinks from O'Reilly today (all Moog). Everything looks good (the strut mounts came in different boxes, and are very slightly different. Strange, but no biggie), and my new 26mm sway bar is rust-free, re-painted and ready to go in! Now all I need is the struts and springs, and I can rebuild my saggy, clunking rear-end!

Thanks again,
Orkin