Bilstein Rear Shock Install vs. Stock Install Question

[HairyMan]

I am finally getting around to installing the rear bilsteins I picked up from a forum member nearly a year ago. Since they are adapted to fit the 3rd gen rear upper mounts, I am not sure which washers/bushings I should use (as compared to a stock installation). See the attached pic of the setup.

I found this thread that outlines the p/n for an em replacement. http://www.toyota-4runner.org/948527-post6.html
Should I use any additional washers and/or bushings, or just bolt em on as-is?

Thoughts?

 

[snivilous]

Just bolt them on as is, washer on the nut side. Nothing fancy.

 

[HairyMan]

Just bolt them on as is, washer on the nut side. Nothing fancy.

Excellent thats what I was hoping to hear! No wait to install - finally getting around to doing it this weekend.

 

[Brentif]

The hard part is getting the nut tight. The socket (24MIL I think) I had didnt have a large enough recess for the bolt portion of the adapters, so I had to grind the socket out. Try not to bash the crap out of your hands!

 

[HairyMan]

The hard part is getting the nut tight. The socket (24MIL I think) I had didnt have a large enough recess for the bolt portion of the adapters, so I had to grind the socket out. Try not to bash the crap out of your hands!

Can you elaborate on what you mean exactly? Do you mean the nut was too tall to fit within the socket? What do you mean "had to grind the socket out"?

I know its really tight near the top mount area - Ive been through this once before on an old 4Runner. I plan to just cut the existing shocks out.

 

[HairyMan]

Just bolt them on as is, washer on the nut side. Nothing fancy.

Any specific orientation the shocks should be at the top mount before I toque the nut down?

 

[Brentif]

I had two main issues:
1: the diameter of the bolt makes it tough to tighten the nut down, as the bolt goes up into the recess of the socket.
2: getting the ratchet and socket off the nut one it was tightened down was a bit of a pain in the ass, ad the adapter bolt was way up in the socket by the time it was tightened down.

I just use a wrench on the top, and a pipe wrench around the old shocks to get them out.

 

[snivilous]

Any specific orientation the shocks should be at the top mount before I toque the nut down?

I would mount the axis of rotation front to back since the axle rotates more when you flex than it swings forward so then the shock would rotate with it's flexing motion.

Remove the spare tire, crawl under the back and sit down, put a box wrench up top, twist the adapter onto the nut until you can't anymore and then torque the nut down.