The Complete Guide to Celica ST205 Rear Suspension Parts

The Toyota Celica ST205, better known as the GT-Four, is a performance icon from the 1990s. Its all-wheel-drive system and turbocharged engine make it a blast to drive, but after 25+ years, the rear suspension needs attention. Whether you're restoring a stock example or building a track weapon, choosing the right rear suspension parts is critical for handling, ride quality, and safety. This guide covers everything you need to know about Celica ST205 rear suspension parts, from common wear items to popular upgrades.

Understanding the ST205 Rear Suspension Design

The ST205 uses a double-wishbone rear suspension, which was advanced for its time. This setup provides excellent camber control and lateral stiffness, but it relies on many bushings and joints that wear out. Key components include:

• Lower control arms: Connect the hub to the subframe. Bushings here affect toe and camber.
• Upper control arms: Control camber and wheel placement. Adjustable versions allow fine-tuning.
• Trailing arms: Handle fore-aft motion. Worn bushings cause vagueness.
• Stabilizer bar (sway bar): Reduces body roll. Upgraded bars improve cornering.
• Springs and dampers: Coil springs and shock absorbers determine ride height and damping.
• Subframe bushings: Isolate noise and vibration; worn units degrade handling.

Common Wear and Symptoms

Over time, rubber bushings crack and lose compliance. You may notice:

• Clunking or knocking from the rear when going over bumps.
• Vague steering or rear-end wander.
• Uneven tire wear, especially on the inside edges.
• Reduced cornering grip. If your ST205 has over 100,000 miles, it's likely time to refresh the rear suspension.

OE vs. Aftermarket Parts

OEM Replacement Parts

Original Toyota parts are the safest bet for a stock restoration. They offer known durability and ride quality. However, many OEM bushing sets are no longer available new, and prices can be high. For example, OEM lower control arm bushings may only come with the entire arm. Check your local Toyota dealer or online parts catalogs.

Aftermarket Upgrades

Aftermarket parts are where enthusiasts go for better performance or adjustability. Common upgrades include:

Coilover Kits

Coilovers replace the spring and shock in one unit. They allow ride height adjustment and often have adjustable damping. Popular options for the ST205:

• Tein Super Street: Good balance of comfort and performance.
• BC Racing BR Series: Budget-friendly with lots of adjustment.
• KW Variant 3: Premium option with separate compression and rebound adjustment. Coilovers improve cornering and lower the center of gravity, but they can be stiffer on rough roads.

Upgraded Sway Bars

A thicker rear sway bar reduces understeer and sharpens turn-in. Whiteline and Cusco make 22mm or 24mm bars for the ST205. Pair with polyurethane bushings for maximum effect.

Polyurethane Bushings

Replacing rubber bushings with polyurethane eliminates slop. Whiteline and SuperPro offer kits for all rear suspension points. They increase noise and vibration slightly but transform steering response.

Adjustable Control Arms

To compensate for lowering, you may need adjustable upper control arms to correct camber. SPC, Megan Racing, and Hardrace sell units with spherical bearings or poly bushings.

Choosing the Right Parts for Your Goals

Street Daily Driver

Focus on OEM-quality replacements for bushings and a set of quality dampers (like KYB Excel-G) paired with stock springs. This restores ride quality without harshness.

Weekend Autocross or Track

Go with coilovers (start with BC or Tein), polyurethane bushings, and a thicker rear sway bar. Adjustable camber arms will help dial in alignment for sticky tires.

Restoration Project

Prioritize subframe bushings, trailing arm bushings, and lower control arm bushings. Many owners replace all rubber with polyurethane for longevity. Use OEM shocks unless you want to lower the car.

Installation Tips and Considerations

• Tools needed: Spring compressor, pickle fork, ball joint press (for bushings), torque wrench.
• Safety: Always support the car on jack stands. Rear springs are under tension; use a spring compressor.
• Alignment: After any suspension work, get a four-wheel alignment. The ST205's rear camber and toe are adjustable at the control arms.
• Torque specs: Tighten bolts with the suspension loaded (weight on wheels). Typical torque: lower strut bolt 130 Nm, lower control arm bolts 120 Nm.
• Bushing replacement: Press out old rubber bushings and press in new poly ones. Grease polyurethane bushings before installation to avoid squeaks.

Recommended Brands

• Whiteline: Quality poly bushings and sway bars.
• SuperPro: Another excellent bushing brand.
• KYB: Good OEM replacement shocks (Excel-G) or sporty (AGX adjustable).
• BC Racing / Tein / KW: Coilovers for different budgets.
• SPC / Megan: Adjustable control arms.
• Cusco: Sway bars and bracing.

Final Recommendation

For most ST205 owners, a refresh with polyurethane bushings and a set of KYB Excel-G shocks (or BC coilovers if you want adjustability) will transform the car. Focus on lower control arm and trailing arm bushings first. If your budget allows, add a Whiteline rear sway bar. Avoid cheap no-name parts—you'll end up with poor fitment and premature wear. A well-maintained rear suspension makes the Celica ST205 feel like a new car, so invest wisely.

Remember to check your local regulations regarding vehicle height modifications. With the right parts, your GT-Four will handle beautifully for many more miles.