Anyone ever had this happen....?

[gigem891]

Wife’s 4Runner developed a ‘clanking’, thin-metallic bell kinda noise a few months ago from under vehicle. I climbed under there and couldn’t see anything loose. Admittedly, I’m not the brightest star in our galaxy. Then about a month ago, the ABS and Brake dash lights came on. Okay, so no braking or drivability problems and not much snow here in Texas. Then on a recent trip to Oklahoma, I noticed the rear end hopping around all-over-the-place, and we decided it was probably time for new rear shocks. I replaced front struts a couple years back, but not the rear shocks.

I researched and got a good deal on a pair of KYB Monomax shocks online, then read multiple forum posts about what a PITA it is to remove upper mounting bolt and how cutting off the top mount is much easier. I get everything ready for the job, got up under there, and found this.....needless to say, I gotta get better at my game..... And now have to replace ABS cable that fortunately was the only thing damaged. There’s just not enough Chocolate to make up for something like that

 

[4restGump]

Welp, apparently 4runner don’t need rear shocks

 

[gigem891]

And to think I always complained about the ‘stiff’ ride and such.... That goes away too, soon enough ;-)

 

[Toy2play]

Lolz! Gotta love that worn out caddy ride.

 

[2ndhandyotaman]

At least that side was easy to get apart! When I was installing the same Monomax shocks, I forgot to install one of the lower shock bolts. I got a few miles before I heard a 'rubbing' noise. Luckily, the shock didn't cut into the sidewall very much, more of a burn mark. The tires were only about 1 month old at the time.

I personally like the KYB Monomax on these trucks. I'm curious to see how you like them.

 

[BrianK14]

At least you won’t struggle with the top mount on that side. But getting that ABS harness unplugged is also a *****.

 

[spartacus]

Yes it does happen. Hit a really bad pot hole on the highway 10 years ago and felt the rear end on the passenger rear bouncy got off the highway to take a look and the shock was just hanging there. Took side streets to Napa bought a set of monroe shocks and replaced them that night and what a pita had to cut the other shock with a sawzall but needed to get it done to go to work the next day.

 

[Puerco]

Dang....how does it ride now?

 

[nissanh]

Both my Bilstein 5100 did it. Remedy; don't tight the top nut too tight, leave some room for the stem to flex on rubber bushings.

 

[thennen]

I had the same thing happen with the stock shock a couple years ago. Funny thing was, it ONLY contacted the ABS cable (as seen in the pic), which sacrificed itself to prevent any scratches to the rust patina I had spent so long perfecting.

 

[gigem891]

Okay.... I had this great post that wouldn’t post after long delay so it disappeared. In a nutshell:

I have to thank, and do appreciate all that we all share to help one another save thousands of dollars each with our own repairs, from all the knowledge and videos shared on this forum. It truly is remarkable. Lotta young people online now, but for those others of us, remember when repair advice options were only Repair Manuals or even microfiche at the library....? Wow.

So, I tackled my rear shock replacement job. Removed rear passenger tire for “better access” as described in multiple posts. Locked a wrench upside and turned the shock to remove, no problem. Replaced with new KYB Monomax, no problem. FYI - an extended 14mm socket works very well and much better than a flat wrench for that part of the job. Then replaced rear passenger wheel and did a test drive.... So much better. Wow. Now gotta do the other one. Chose not to remove driver’s side wheel, no need, don’t know what anyone was talking about, about “better access”, because who is going to attempt to unscrew upper/inner shock mount nut from outside the vehicle? Doesn’t happen. I mean it could, but but it would be the hardest way. So on the 2001 4Runner Limited, no need to remove wheels/tires to do this job. More on that later.

Based on many previous posts of people saying that cutting off the top of the shock would be so much easier, I purchased a cutoff tool, for only $24.99, which I needed anyway, but it didn’t fit in there right with angle necessary to do the job all-the-way. Wife said, “Have you even tried removing them manually?”

No I had not, but then I did, and it was no problem at all, especially with the 14mm extension socket. No problem. And I did this 2nd shock, driver’s side, without removing the tire as people said “would be better” but it wasn’t necessary at all. Not in a high salt/rust area down in Texas, I can see the difference.

With both new KYB Monomax shocks installed, ride is SO MUCH better. Will reply back in a few months as they ‘work in’. Everything is good, tires going down to the ground like they should, and not hopping all around. Wife is very happy. No complaints so far about the KYB Monomax Shocks.

 

[AntleredRuin]

I have to thank, and do appreciate all that we all share to help one another save thousands of dollars each with our own repairs, from all the knowledge and videos shared on this forum. It truly is remarkable. Lotta young people online now, but for those others of us, remember when repair advice options were only Repair Manuals or even microfiche at the library....? Wow.

I'm glad that I grew up in the internet age. I was always good at manual library research, but the internet makes it so much easier, if you take the free advice given with a grain of salt. I've been able to tackle every project myself and keep the 4runner completely out of the shop for for the 4 years I've owned it.

This forum is definitely a great help to all of us wanting to do our own work on these trucks. I'm in the market for a 1st Gen Sequoia or Armada for my wife and I'm kinda dismayed at the lack of forum activity for those trucks (and the Tundra and Titan). It's there, but nowhere near the same as for the 4Runner.

From engine tear downs to suspension work, and everything in between, I've had 100% DIY success thanks to the great people from T4R.org. This has also led to a general belief in my own abilities, both to troubleshoot and to turn a wrench, that will carry over to any other car a may end up buying in the future regardless of forum presence.

 

[gigem891]

You got that right, AntleredRuin. If I had to choose between having access to internet search and pages, or mobile telephones, I would have to value the internet more. Heck, I’d pick home/car air conditioning over cell phones, but that’s a different thread. And the internet election may even be a world-wide statistical, economic reality of greater value in the big picture of things between the 2. And Bless those forces which have allowed website owners/operators like this one, the ability to offer such a useful, efficient, and undeniably valuable product at no charge to the general public. Life is good.

 

[phattyduck]

Removed rear passenger tire for “better access” as described in multiple posts

SPARE tire. Not vehicle wheel/tire... It allows you to sit up back there and work comfortably on the shocks.

-Charlie

 

[Scramble]

Both my Bilstein 5100 did it. Remedy; don't tight the top nut too tight, leave some room for the stem to flex on rubber bushings.

This! A few years ago when I did my lift I must have tightened my 4th Gen rear Bilsteins too much. When I did the elocker axle swap my top posts were bent. I replaced them with Tundra Billys & didnt tighten them as much.