The Toyota KE70 (part of the E70 Corolla series) is a popular platform for drifting, track days, and street driving. Whether you're restoring a stock example or building a dedicated performance car, the suspension is one of the first areas to address. This guide covers the key KE70 suspension parts you'll encounter, what they do, and how to choose the right ones for your goals.
Understanding the KE70 Suspension Layout
The KE70 uses a front MacPherson strut setup and a rear four-link live axle with coil springs. This design is simple, durable, and responsive to upgrades. Stock components are adequate for daily driving but show limitations under harder driving or when lowering the car.
Front Suspension Components
The front strut assembly includes the strut housing, insert, spring, upper strut mount, and lower control arm. The control arm pivots on a bushing at the chassis and connects to the steering knuckle via a ball joint.
Rear Suspension Components
The rear axle locates with two lower trailing arms, two upper control arms (often called "four-link"), and a panhard rod or track bar. Coil springs sit on the axle housing, and shock absorbers mount separately.
Key KE70 Suspension Parts to Upgrade
Coilovers vs. Lowering Springs
Coilovers replace the factory strut and spring with a single adjustable unit. They offer ride height adjustment, damping adjustment, and often camber plates. For a dedicated performance build, coilovers are the best option.
Lowering springs are cheaper and maintain factory strut valving. They work well for a mild drop (1–1.5 inches) but can cause underdamping. If your budget is tight and you only drive on the street, lowering springs paired with quality strut inserts (e.g., KYB AGX or Tokico) are a practical choice.
Recommended coilover brands: BC Racing, Tein, HSD, Fortune Auto. Look for models specifically for KE70/AE86 (often interchangeable).
Control Arms and Bushings
Factory rubber bushings wear out and allow excessive movement. Replacing them with polyurethane or spherical bushings sharpens steering response and reduces wheel hop.
For the front lower control arm, polyurethane bushings are popular. For the rear four-link, adjustable control arms allow pinion angle adjustment and eliminate bind. Many owners swap to AE86 front lower control arms for better geometry and aftermarket support.
Ball Joints and Tie Rod Ends
These wear items directly affect safety and alignment. Use Moog or 555 brand for longevity. If you've lowered the car significantly, adjustable tie rod ends help correct bump steer.
Sway Bars (Anti-Roll Bars)
A thicker sway bar reduces body roll without affecting ride height. Whiteline and SuperPro offer KE70-specific bars. Combine with polyurethane sway bar mount bushings for best results.
Strut Braces and Chassis Stiffening
A front strut brace ties the strut towers together, reducing flex during cornering. Rear strut braces are also available. For serious track use, consider a roll cage or spot-welding seams.
Choosing the Right Parts for Your Use Case
Street Daily Driver
Focus on replacing worn parts with OEM-quality or slightly upgraded components. Polyurethane bushings everywhere, fresh ball joints, a mild lowering spring (like King Springs), and good strut inserts. Keep the ride comfortable.
Weekend Drift/Track Car
Invest in adjustable coilovers, adjustable rear control arms, polyurethane bushings, and a panhard rod relocation bracket if lowered more than 2 inches. Consider a welded diff or an LSD. Steering quickener and tie rod end spacers help angle.
Budget Build
Start with used OEM parts from AE86 or other compatible cars. Many suspension parts cross-reference. Focus on safety-critical items first: ball joints, tie rods, bushings. Then add used coilovers or lowering springs. Do the work yourself to save labor costs.
Common Compatibility Notes
- Front struts from AE86 (Corolla GT-S, 1985–1987) are a direct bolt-in for KE70 and offer better valving and brake options.
- Rear shocks from AE86 also fit with minor modifications to the lower mount.
- Rear coil springs from KE70 wagons or vans can provide a stiffer rate if you want to carry load or reduce squat.
- Panhard rods from AE86 or aftermarket units (like from Pitcrew) fit with little effort.
Final Recommendation
Start by inspecting your current suspension. Replace all rubber bushings with polyurethane from SuperPro or Whiteline. Install a set of quality coilovers (BC Racing BR series is a proven choice for KE70). Add adjustable rear control arms to dial in pinion angle. Finally, upgrade sway bars and bushings. This combination transforms handling without breaking the bank. If your budget is limited, prioritize ball joints, tie rod ends, and fresh strut inserts with lowering springs. The KE70 rewards attention to suspension, so take your time and choose parts that align with your driving goals.