Quote:
Originally Posted by Mr_Dobalina
Here's a tip on replacing your shocks. Don't mess with a spring compressor for the front end.
You can decompress the front spring while it is still in the truck by using this method:
Tacoma Coil Over Shock Disassembly without a Spring Compressor - YouTube
If you still have your original shocks and if they are rusted as mine were, just take a skill saw to them and chop off the top center bolt WHILE YOU HAVE A FLOORJACK SUPPORTING THEM UP FRONT as per the video.
I added two weekends to my job because I was constant spraying penetrating oil, fighting them with channel locks, my buddy torched the nuts and set the rubber grommets on fire.... Shit show. I used a new metal blade on each one ad cut through them in minutes. This will be my go to going forward.
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good advice if you are going to re-use the springs... but for original high mile shocks that most likely wont reuse the springs, there is no reason to compress the springs or mess with the big center bolt on 4runners & tacomas etc.
the entire shock will come out by simply removing the 3 small bolts on the top & the one big bolt on the bottom. the top center bolt keeps the springs in place, then just throw away the entire shock & replace with a new shock that has the springs already installed like KYB. or if using a separate shock & springs like bilsteins etc, then reverse the procedure shown above to compress the spring or rent a spring compressor tool for free or pay ~$20ea to a shop to install the springs.
thats beauty of this design, you can remove the entire shock/spring with just the 3 top bolts & not mess with compressing the spring unless you are reusing the spring or installing new ones. & aside from burning rubber parts, a propane/map torch is a savior for rusted bolts/nuts & most will break free without getting everything around it so hot it catches rubber on fire. impact guns are great too since the shock helps break them free.