DIY: Front Strut Replacement

[46runner]

Finally got to the fronts after having done the rears. Thanks to Photog and his post for guidance: OME Install - no spring compressor - Toyota 120 Platforms Forum

2004 Toyota 4Runner SR5 V8 with 135K miles with original struts. Also replaced the front sway bar bushings.

 

[46runner]

DIY: Front Strut Replacement continued

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[46runner]

DIY: Front Strut Replacement continued

continued...

 

[46runner]

DIY: Front Strut Replacement continued

continued...

 

[blackoutt]

Very thorough post, thanks for your input to the forum and an easily searchable title!

 

[V4Ind]

Easily one of the best and easiest guides I've ever seen. Excellent job!

 

[Atlanta_man]

Well done - I hope to find something like this for the rear shocks...

 

[dta1984]

Great, detailed write up! I will be using this soon!

 

[46runner]

Well done - I hope to find something like this for the rear shocks...

haha it's your lucky day... http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/205413-diy-rear-shocks-sway-bar-links.html

 

[Derek]

Very nice write up. I wish I had this last year when I attempted this and gave up half way into the job. I ended up paying Toyota to do the job in the end ($300 labor).

 

[T4RVB]

great thread!:thumb3:

 

[Ron4RNevada]

Very well done Sir!

 

[SD03LTD4x4]

What are those black "pucks" that you have on top of your floor jack?

Great write up by the way... I just got some 5100s for my 03 4Runner and this information will be invaluable during my install.

 

[strathcona]

What are those black "pucks" that you have on top of your floor jack?

They look like regular old hockey pucks.

Another great write up 46runner!

 

[46runner]

What are those black "pucks" that you have on top of your floor jack?

Great write up by the way... I just got some 5100s for my 03 4Runner and this information will be invaluable during my install.

Thanks and yes those are hockey pucks. Gentler on the truck
Good luck with it. I'd suggest replacing the top mounts too because the old rubber cushions were pretty dry/stiff.

 

[thecramey]

Thanks for the photos!

I replaced my front and rear suspension follow this guide, a couple videos, and another thread about doing the rear.

The easiest way I found to replace the front struts using the 'no spring compressor' method was roughly the following:

1.) Jack up car and support with stands on each side.
2.) Take off front skid plate
3.) Mark and loosen the outside bolts on the cam alignment
4.) Put jack under the a-arm of the first strut/coil over you will replace
5.) Remove the top nut so the strut can be pulled out of the top hat.
6.) Remove the two bolts that hold the a-arm to the wheel ball joint.
7.) Drop the a-arm w/ the floor jack slowly to relieve spring pressure
8.) Remove the strut bolt
9.) Side the coil & strut out between the sway bar and axle assembly.
10.) Put in new one, and follow steps in reverse.

Taking my time, it took about 35 minutes a side. From wheels off to wheels on took about 3.5 hours for the whole lift.

 

[nugsfan]

Finally got to the fronts after having done the rears. Thanks to Photog and his post for guidance: OME Install - no spring compressor - Toyota 120 Platforms Forum

2004 Toyota 4Runner SR5 V8 with 135K miles with original struts. Also replaced the front sway bar bushings.

Question for you. Really wish I found your thread before I attempted all this yesterday! I removed the sway bar but one of the bolts on the passenger side on the mount stripped so I had to just cut the head off to get the sway bar out. I can't remove the bolt because it's completely rusted. I highly doubt I'll ever have to do anymore work on the 4runner so would it be bad to just tack weld the mount on? I know it would be better to try and drill it out but I don't have the time to do that.

 

[ChucktownRunner]

Do you need to have the mounting kit? Is there any substitute for the kyb that you can buy at your local store? Today's my only day to attempt this for the next 2 weeks and it looks like advanced doesn't have the KYB for in store pickup.

 

[46runner]

You can reuse the old one

 

[ChucktownRunner]

Thanks for your front and rear post! Not going to say how long it took me BUT we got it done and love the upgrade! A few things that would have saved us a lot of time (impact, self ratcheting wrenches, not trying to remove front strut top hat (PITA!). Thanks again!!