Big Job Today With Front Suspension

[wettRunner]

Following work I will start installing new goodies on the 4runner.
List list includes:

- Upper Control Arms (SPC)
- Upper Ball Joints
- Lower Control Arms (OEM)
- Lower Ball Joints
- Shocks (OME)
- Springs (OME)
- Top Plates
- Alignment Cam Bolts.
- Tires

Since so much is being replaced at once, I'm wondering the order of operations I should use.

What order will allow the most working room/ give me least potential trouble?

Thanks

 

[meeceboy78]

Following work I will start installing new goodies on the 4runner.
List list includes:

- Upper Control Arms (SPC)
- Upper Ball Joints
- Lower Control Arms (OEM)
- Lower Ball Joints
- Shocks (OME)
- Springs (OME)
- Top Plates
- Alignment Cam Bolts.
- Tires

Since so much is being replaced at once, I'm wondering the order of operations I should use.

What order will allow the most working room/ give me least potential trouble?

Thanks

Last time i did this job, I started at the top and worked my way down. I am getting ready to do this job again, and i would also be interested in seeing if there is a better order to the job.

 

[turbodudey2]

I'll be starting nearly the same job this weekend:

SPC upper control arms
Whiteline LCA bushings
Lower ball joints
CV axles
ADD actuator switch
Power steering rack
Magnefine PS filter
Oil filter relocation

I'm planning to just take off the front suspension and axles, then will have more room to do the power steering and oil filter stuff.

 

[squabeggz]

There must be something going around... I just got mine back together after doing all of this as well.

JBA offroad UCAs w/new upper ball joints included.
Rebuilt my OEM LCAs w/ Whiteline bushings
Swapped my OME 881s for 883s on my 5100s
New steering rack + ITRE/OTREs and rack bushings

I dont advise doing this, but i took ALL of that stuff off (Both sides). I had a bunch of bent stuff and rust that needed attention, so having all the room i could was a bonus. It really isn't that many nuts and bolts to lose and confuse...it is fairly obvious where stuff goes.

I believe i started with removing the shocks, then pull the knuckle off, then do both control arms...lower is more of a pain IMO, so i dealt with that one first upon reassembly, then upper, then knuckle back on...You dont have to take the knuckle off to do this, but it gives one a ton more room...it's bad enough fighting the hanging brake caliper...However, you need to be able to re-torque the axle nut back to 174 ft/lbs, so if you dont have a good torque wrench and a 32 or 36mm (cant remember) socket, i would try and avoid taking it off. You might be able to rent that stuff though.

also...if you are doing the steering rack...get those LCAs on first...ask me how i know.

One last thing...don't torque any of the control arm bolts or cam bolts until the vehicle has been put back on the ground. Just get everything real nice and tight so it wont move on you, drop it down and then torque it. Your bushings will thank you for this.

 

[wettRunner]

Thanks everyone! Honestly I got more responses than expected, so all the advice will go to heart.

I'll be taking as many pictures as I can to show to steps I take.

 

[Hopeless Diamond]

About 2 weeks behind you.

Used OEM LCAs that I put Whiteline bushings in, SPC UCAs, SS1.2 with the 2.5" Radflo fronts, poly sway bar and steering rack bushings.

there's a local do it yourself shop that rents bays with 2 post lifts and full set of tools for $40/hr https://stewsgarage.com/. For that price, it makes so much more sense than doing it in the crappy driveway in the rain (way too many times doing that). Figure I should be able to get it all done in about an hour... of course an hour in car time equals 6+ in real world time

 

[Wedgy]

I would highly recommend watching some of Timmy's videos;

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=timmy+toolman+front+end

 

[squabeggz]

^^^ This.

If you have all the stuff ready to go and with minimal damage to any mounting areas...unlike mine...then it really isn't that big of job. Even on jack stands in the driveway, it's not too bad if you don't have to deal with rust belt issues and press work.

However, I'm the last person that should be talking about quick work...mine has been sitting on jackstands in my garage for like a month. I start in on one thing and then "OOOO!!! I should take care of that too!"

Never fails

At least it isn't my DD anymore and it is finally back on it's wheels. I did take a bunch of photos, so I'll hopefully be able to post something up here in the next few days...maybe it will help someone.

 

[Jungoes]

If you are gonna do that much work in one pass .. and you are going to take the spindles out.. change the front bearings as well.

 

[Angrywelder]

I just finished doing it and I can speak from experience that doing it from the center section out isn't the easies either. LOL!