Bolt sizes needed to unbolt suspension?

[KennyT4R]

Hey guys I am ready to put on the coils for my lift and was just wondering on the bolt sizes on the lower shock bolt, UCA ball joint, upper nuts, etc.

Also..what kind of sockets do I need for the rear?

 

[Elton H]

Hey guys I am ready to put on the coils for my lift and was just wondering on the bolt sizes on the lower shock bolt, UCA ball joint, upper nuts, etc.

Also..what kind of sockets do I need for the rear?

14mm socket and a 14mm ratchet wrench for the top 3 nuts is a life saver i think the lower big bolts and nuts on both shocks are 17mm

 

[Duhockey]

Hey guys I am ready to put on the coils for my lift and was just wondering on the bolt sizes on the lower shock bolt, UCA ball joint, upper nuts, etc.

Also..what kind of sockets do I need for the rear?

uhhh, you gonna replace your ball joints?? if not then dont mess with the UCA ball joint...

just upper nuts 3 of them I think 12's and the lower is a 17 or 19

4 bolts to get the coilovers out.

well, 4 if you dont release the sway bar

oh, Elton may be right, maybe it was 14 on the top, ratcheting wrenches are a god send cuz otherwise its a pain getting the top back nut on the coilovers.

and for the back, its 2 bolts, forget the sizes prob right around 17 or 19, if you have 10-19 you have all of them

 

[JohnsD90]

I know the 3 bolts on the top of the strut are 14mm and the lower bolt is 17mm.

 

[brian2sun]

Like Duhockey said, DON'T mess with the upper ball joint at all! - it's pressed in there and you'll tear it trying to separate it!! Instead, the lower ball joint comes off with 4 bolts and no pressing. It's difficult to get the lower front shock bolts out because the CVs are in the way so removing the LBJs will allow the play you need to get the bolts out.

Tips: When you put the front lower shock bolts back in, face the threads towards the front (away from the CVs) so there isn't any chance of contact with the CVs.
Undo the nuts on the top of the sway bar links and get the sway bar out of your way (it'll make it easier, give you more play to get the struts in/out, and the bolts on top of the links are easier to get to than the sway bar mounts). Good luck!

 

[Duhockey]

Like Duhockey said, DON'T mess with the upper ball joint at all! - it's pressed in there and you'll tear it trying to separate it!! Instead, the lower ball joint comes off with 4 bolts and no pressing. It's difficult to get the lower front shock bolts out because the CVs are in the way so removing the LBJs will allow the play you need to get the bolts out.

Tips: When you put the front lower shock bolts back in, face the threads towards the front (away from the CVs) so there isn't any chance of contact with the CVs.
Undo the nuts on the top of the sway bar links and get the sway bar out of your way (it'll make it easier, give you more play to get the struts in/out, and the bolts on top of the links are easier to get to than the sway bar mounts). Good luck!

Yeah, I wouldnt touch either of the ball joints upper or lower, no need if you are just doing your struts...

of course if you are replacing them also, then thats a diff issue.

 

[brian2sun]

I've seen people throw the struts in without removing the lower ball joints using a jack wedged between the UCA and the fender (pushing down on the whole assembly), but mine wasn't happening trying to do it like that. I had to remove the LBJs because I couldn't get the lower shock bolts out when it's all connected (the bolts are longer than the space between the bolt head and the CV axle).

 

[KennyT4R]

Cool, thanks guys. On my Tacoma I had to remove the UCA from the spindle to install a lift properly. Such a pain in the ass! A couple good whacks with a hammer to the spindle did the trick.

What are the bolts in the back? Hopefully this will be as easy as it sounds.