4th Gen front suspension: How easy is this fix?

R

Rambler

New member
Just got my 4th gen used from a dealer. They did some work after I test drove it so it would be "safe for the road". They replaced the front shocks resulting in the situation in the photo. This is the driver's side. The rubber cushion and top washer slide freely between the top bolt of the shock and the support sub-assembly. Not sure if it's becase of this or something somewhere else in that assembly, but I feel and hear a thump while driving whenever there's action in that shock.
The dealer is a 2 hour drive so I want to avoid driving all the way to them to fix it.
How would I fix this? Does something simply need to be tightened, or is it likely there are parts missing in the assembly?
Thanks for any input. I appreciate it.
 

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I can't open the PDF for some reason, but since no-one has responded I'm going to move this to the 4th Gen section for you, you'll get an answer quicker.
 
They didn't assemble your coils correctly. This is what will happen:

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/160459-importance-trusted-quality-mechanic.html

You need a spring compressor, disassemble the coil over and reassemble it the right way. Looks like maybe they forgot the lower shock retainer and spring like what happened to me. I would call and ask for new top hats, shocks and bushings. I wouldn't trust those parts after driving on them when you just paid an arm and a leg for a proper repair.

Not a particularly easy fix, if you have 2 hours and the tools and parts handy it's not too bad, but it's not a matter of just tightening the top nut ( you can't, there is no thread left)
 
i second what [MENTION=55855]zopperman[/MENTION] said. theres no way they put lower bushings and retainers in. at the spec'd torque there should only be 4-6 threads showing on the top bolt, and the bushing should be very compressed, about 3/8-1/2" thick. take it back, raise hell, and don't pay a dime.
 
wnelax04sr5 said:
i second what [MENTION=55855]zopperman[/MENTION] said. theres no way they put lower bushings and retainers in. at the spec'd torque there should only be 4-6 threads showing on the top bolt, and the bushing should be very compressed, about 3/8-1/2" thick. take it back, raise hell, and don't pay a dime.
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yeah, and make sure they replace the top hats. I don't know what the tolerances are with that type of thing but I wouldnt want my shock flopping around in an enlarged hole.. if you know what I mean :heh:
 
Thanks for all the input. Too bad you've already been through this, zopperman. They're saying they'll fix it no charge, but I'm doubting the wisdom of sending it back to the mechanic who didn't know how to assemble it in the first place. I'm going to see if they're willing to reimburse a local mechanic for labor and parts. Thanks again!
 
Rambler said:
Thanks for all the input. Too bad you've already been through this, zopperman. They're saying they'll fix it no charge, but I'm doubting the wisdom of sending it back to the mechanic who didn't know how to assemble it in the first place. I'm going to see if they're willing to reimburse a local mechanic for labor and parts. Thanks again!
Click to expand...

Yeah, good call. Like I said, just make sure you replace everything as the integrity of those parts has been compromised.
 
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