Adjusting Tundra 5100's

[cj80cruiser]

Installed my lift yesterday but didn't get the lift in the front I thought I would so I need to adjust the the collar up from the bottom perch up to about the middle. Has anyone used spring compressors like the ones you can rent from autozone with the coil assembly still on the truck?

Seems like it would be easier than taking the shock out and probably safer in case the spring compressors happened to slip.

Bonehead idea?

 

[Qyota]

I don't think it's a bonehead idea, I'm just not sure if there is enough room to get the compressors in there. Would be pretty cool if it worked, though!

 

[shadow247]

That very well could work. There is also this method..which I have not done, nor do I recommend.
<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/vkVLBOnAifc" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[Bama_Runner]

I don't think you will be able to do it without taking it off the truck. I've used 5100s on three different trucks now (2 Tacomas and 1 4Runner) and I don't think you could get the compressors in there. I'm not sure how you went at taking your springs/shocks out, but put my jack under the lower control arm, then I loosen the lower ball-joint bolts (4 of them), loosen the sway bar end link and then the lower shock bolt and top hat bolts. Then lower the jack. I can do it using this method rather quickly. I used the method in the video above for my Tacomas but couldn't get the 5100s back in the 4runner without using a spring compressor.

 

[eightyhd]

i used spring compressors from autozone to adjust the clamp up a notch without removing anything.


But i have a dewalt impact driver and it was a piece of cake.

 

[Yoter]

That very well could work. There is also this method..which I have not done, nor do I recommend.
<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/vkVLBOnAifc" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

I have attempted this method, After taking things apart I realized it was simply much more work than getting a spring compressor on the free 48hr rental from O'rielly's. (the spring compressors were not at all scary to use, granted that is a relative term)

In order to do the above method on a 3rd gen, you need:
A 22mm (I think its 22) wrench to loosen the lower A-Arm and then will need a torque wrench that will fit into the very confined space between the frame and A-Arm.
I realized that I would have no way to retorque the A-Arm and decided it was a bad idea.

As for using spring compressors while the strut is in the vehicle I also dont think this will work as you wont be able to place them 180deg. from one another. Causing the spring to bend unequally and not compress enough to move the 5100's up a perch. Also if the spring is compressed unequally on both sides you heighten the risk of the spring compressors slipping greatly.

 

[blonde1boarder]

Hey. First post on t4r but what I always do with spring compressors is rent two sets and throw 3 on in a triangle. Puts a little less stress on each individual compressor.

 

[cj80cruiser]

That very well could work. There is also this method..which I have not done, nor do I recommend.
<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/vkVLBOnAifc" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

I used my part out truck as a spring compressor just like the video you have there. It worked very well and I felt fairly safe doing it that way since I could keep my distance.

If the spring compressors wont work like I want then I'll throw them back on the parts truck and do it that way.

 

[drabbits]

This method worked out very well for me. Easy as apple pie and a hell of a lot safe than spring compressor rentals.

 

[shadow247]

I'm lucky that I have access to a real wall mounted strut compressor. I will try to make a video this weekend on how the pro's do it when I swap back to my 99 springs this weekend.

 

[cj80cruiser]

I'm lucky that I have access to a real wall mounted strut compressor. I will try to make a video this weekend on how the pro's do it when I swap back to my 99 springs this weekend.

I ended up taking one of mine to a friends shop where I got to see the wall mount compressor in action. Hands down the easiest way to get this done.

 

[shadow247]

I ended up taking one of mine to a friends shop where I got to see the wall mount compressor in action. Hands down the easiest way to get this done.

Yeah I got pretty good at it when I put my lift on. I had to tear one side apart 2 or 3 times because I messed up my top plate. It was not fun, but now I am an expert at using one.