Anyone Tried This Shock Disassembly Method?

SCRunner12

SCRunner12

New member
Found this method to disassemble the front coilovers on TacomaWorld and had never heard of it. Anyone done this way before. Seems like a lot easier and doesn't require the rented compressors or paying someone. I understand this may be dangerous. I may try this when I replace the struts on my Tundra coilovers, unless I hear some issues with this method.

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SCRunner12 said:
Found this method to disassemble the front coilovers on TacomaWorld and had never heard of it. Anyone done this way before. Seems like a lot easier and doesn't require the rented compressors or paying someone. I understand this may be dangerous. I may try this when I replace the struts on my Tundra coilovers, unless I hear some issues with this method.

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I did my SS1.2 install recently and thought about doing it this way... I couldn't bring myself to do it. Maybe on a small vehicle I would try. that Tundra spring is a lot to catch in the face if something goes wrong! I figured my money maker was worth the $30 at a local shop to swap the top hats. If you do try it - take video!
 
I have done this plenty of times. no issues.

There is one issue, but i never ran across it is if you install a spring with a lot of lift and when you try to jack the lower control arm up, it starts raising the front of the vehicle up before you can get the strut nut on.
 
Singtoe said:
I have done this plenty of times. no issues.

There is one issue, but i never ran across it is if you install a spring with a lot of lift and when you try to jack the lower control arm up, it starts raising the front of the vehicle up before you can get the strut nut on.
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Yeah...I tried jacking it up after the new springs were in to see how much it would move. The spring barely compressed and I had her up on two of four jack stands. :wow:
 
Seems fine to me as well. However, I still don't know why so many people fear the regular autozone coil compressors. I have now personally removed and installed front struts on my 4runner 4 times all with these same compressors and have never had a problem.
 
econhonda said:
Seems fine to me as well. However, I still don't know why so many people fear the regular autozone coil compressors. I have now personally removed and installed front struts on my 4runner 4 times all with these same compressors and have never had a problem.
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I tried putting those compressors on my Tundra springs and they were a bit too small due to the large wire diameter of the spring. Didn't fit the grooves fully and the lock pins couldn't be pushed in.
 
Socco said:
I did my SS1.2 install recently and thought about doing it this way... I couldn't bring myself to do it. Maybe on a small vehicle I would try. that Tundra spring is a lot to catch in the face if something goes wrong! I figured my money maker was worth the $30 at a local shop to swap the top hats. If you do try it - take video!
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I don't see how you can catch anything in your face.

this method you don't have to align the shocks but like few have said long coils you'll have a small issue.
 
Yeah I had never heard of this way and kind of like it. I put a lift on a Tacoma this last weekend and it's a b!tch to get the lower shock bolt to thread through. I may try this if I don't have anyone to help me when I change my struts in a couple of weeks.
 
yup, ^ pain in the butt!

I prob try this too when i get myself some tundra coils but will also have the rental spring compressor with me just in case.
 
Singtoe or Socco, do you think I will run into any problems with the Tundra coil not compressing enough? I want to try it this weekend, but I have to complete it in 3 or so hours. I might be by myself also. Just wondering if I should just take the struts into a shop and get them switched instead.
 
i did not use a spring compressor when i did 05 ltd ome 882's and my friends spacer lift no problems i even made a thread lol
 
lol i trust that method alot more than them spring compressor's u rent i guess if u got 60 bucks u can have a shop with a real one do it if they have time which they never do
 
Just try it. If it works, it works. If it doesn't, put the oem spring back in and get a spring compressor. Or finish removing the strut and top hat and go to Midas or Petboys to have them put it back together.
 
Elton H said:
i did not use a spring compressor when i did 05 ltd ome 882's and my friends spacer lift no problems i even made a thread lol
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Just found your post. Is removing the tie rod end necessary? The video doesn't mention it at all, nor does the 120 write up. How long did it take you to do both sides?

t4r4life said:
do it the right way
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Who says the other way is the right way. I may also try Gerdo's way, but then I still have to pay for the assembly.
 
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SCRunner12 said:
Singtoe or Socco, do you think I will run into any problems with the Tundra coil not compressing enough? I want to try it this weekend, but I have to complete it in 3 or so hours. I might be by myself also. Just wondering if I should just take the struts into a shop and get them switched instead.
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I'd take them in. I tried jacking the lca up with my tundras' in, just to see...The truck started to lift off the jack stands and it hadn't barely compressed yet. Mind you, they were set to 2" lift on the Billies. I tried two styles of compressors and neither fit those springs correctly (see: safely)
If time is of the essence, getting a shop to change the top hats would reduce the "Ahh Sh)t!" factor.

Keep us posted...
 
Socco said:
I'd take them in. I tried jacking the lca up with my tundras' in, just to see...The truck started to lift off the jack stands and it hadn't barely compressed yet. Mind you, they were set to 2" lift on the Billies. I tried two styles of compressors and neither fit those springs correctly (see: safely)
If time is of the essence, getting a shop to change the top hats would reduce the "Ahh Sh)t!" factor.

Keep us posted...
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+1 on that. I've assembled the fronts using the Auto Zone type assembly compressors but with the Tundra's I had to pay somebody to assemble them. Those seem to be a huge pain to compress on your own. That being said I don't think I would try this method using the Tundra coils, I would however with oem coils or OME coils.
 
I'm thinking it won't work too well with the Tundra coils, so I may just get them done at a shop. I may disassemble them using this method, so I can remove the top out spacer studs and make it easier on the shop.
 
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