Easiest way to remove front strut?

[NJ-4Runner]

Is this the fastest/easiest way in your opinion to get a front strut out? If I use this method can removing the steering tie-rod end be avoided?

1. Disconnect sway bar at the end link
2. Jack up truck
3. Remove wheels
4. Unbolt the strut
5. Use a bottle jack to take pressure off bottom strut bolt and remove strut bolt.
6. Use the bottle jack some more to push the control arm assembly down more and remove strut.

 

[itskohler]

All I did for my rig was the 3 top bolts and the bottom bolt. Wiggled right out without any issues.

 

[NJ-4Runner]

All I did for my rig was the 3 top bolts and the bottom bolt. Wiggled right out without any issues.

Oh that’s good to know! I see all these posts about people separating the tie rod end from the knuckle and unbolting the lower ball joint. Even the service manual doesn’t call for that.

 

[BetterontheMtn]

I happen to have a tie rod removal tool, so used that and had zero issue getting the shock/spring out without needing the extra jack. I had the truck supported on a jack stand and the hub hanging free. Going back together I found a 3 foot pry bar did the trick getting the bottom bolt lined up.

If nothing else, find Timmy's video in the thread stickied up top, I watch his videos before any job I've tackled so far.

 

[itskohler]

Oh that’s good to know! I see all these posts about people separating the tie rod end from the knuckle and unbolting the lower ball joint. Even the service manual doesn’t call for that.

It might have been easier to get back in if I disconnected all of that, but with a little patience and a pry bar I was able to get it back without issue. Definitely have a helper available to shove the bottom bolt in when its lined up.

 

[Dieselchessy]

You might be confusing folks disassembling/assembling the shock and spring in the vehicle vs just removing the shock and spring as a unit.

 

[NJ-4Runner]

You might be confusing folks disassembling/assembling the shock and spring in the vehicle vs just removing the shock and spring as a unit.

To clarify in all of my posts I am talking about removing the entire strut assembly as a unit.

 

[phattyduck]

As long as the swaybar is disconnected, you should be able to just use a pry bar to for the suspension arms down to get the shock assembly in/out. You put it above the top arm and below the pivot of the top arm and push down, shouldn't be too hard.

-Charlie