Eibach Fits Incorrect Lower Bushings in their 5G Pro-Truck Sport Shocks.. Thoughts?

[kouki_monster]

Toyota changed the 4Runner/FJ front lower shock mount/eyelet around 2010. The 2010+ mounts are a few mm wider, and thus the Toyota lower shock bushings changed along with that. However, Eibach does not change the bushing that they use in their 4Runner/FJ shocks depending on year/generation (per their own documentation). They then claim that the ~2mm of "wiggle room" is normal and OK on 2010+ models, that results from them using the pre-2010 bushing.

When installing the assembled coil-over per Toyota instructions, one would probably not notice this because the steps direct you to tighten the top mount down before the lower bolt.. and once the top mount is tightened, the shock shaft is sort of held in place and unable to wiggle unless you really try to wiggle it with some force. But then, when you tighten the bolt/nut at the bottom, the lower mount "box" is bending closed which I believe is not what you want...

Using the Eibach front shocks on a 2010+ vehicle results in this play, until everything is tightened and *bent*:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kC5jhWzN-vo&feature=youtu.be

Thoughts?

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/kC5jhWzN-vo" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[kouki_monster]

The 4Runner in the video is mine. Now I have to decide what to do about this. Some say washers are OK? The other option would be buy new correct bushings (~$50) and have them pressed in, however that would require removing the shocks from the vehicle completely. At least I can add spacers, if that's appropriate, very easily (I think).

A bit disappointed over here, as perhaps you can imagine...

Cheers.

 

[Ridgey]

I installed my Eibach Pro Truck lift at home and had no issues with this. I ordered mine from Wheeler's.

 

[MrSmartypants]

Personally I wouldn't have an issue using washers there. Ideally 1 per side of the lower damper bushing to keep everything aligned.

Can probably source some stainless steel from Home Depot. If not McMaster, MSC or Grainger has plenty.

 

[Saker]

Looking at the video, it appears to be more than 2mm play!

I wonder what [MENTION=277772]mark@eibach[/MENTION] has to say about this situation......

I wouldn't want to see this when installing anyone's coilovers!

 

[smooey]

I had this same issue 3 weeks ago with the Eibach pro truck 2.0 coilovers. Only I didn't catch it at install because I had a shop do the install.

The problem you will have with the narrow bushing, if you don't use a washer, is that it will compress and bend the mount so that you will not be able to fit the correct width bushing on a different shock without out bending the mount back open (which isn't easy).

I had other issues with the coilovers and eventually gave up on them (although Eibach was responsive and helpful) and put in a 21 trd pro fox suspension (I only wanted 1 inch of lift) 2 weeks after the Eibach install. I did the install myself this time and that's when the narrow bushing bit me in the butt.

I had to use a large crescent wrench to bend the mount open enough to get some of the busing in, put a jack under the lower arrm and try to push the busing in until I could start to line up the holes. I then had to use an alignment bar to line everything up to get the lower bolt in. It was freaking time consuming and took longer to get the lower bolt to line up than doing the entire install would have if that bracket wasn't bent.

At this point, even if I wanted more lift I wouldn't put my Eibach coilovers back in. I'd go King, Icon, Fox adjustable, etc.

 

[Charlievee]

Definitely don't have this issue on my pro stage 1 kit, but it was a much earlier run... Like new to the market. We can blame it on Covid... Everything else is, but looks like its missing the metal sleeve that gets pressed in the bushing.Who ever installed that, was either drunk or blind.

 

[Genshin]

Was about to purchase these shocks. Been debating between eibachs and bilsteins but this pops up. Subscribed.

 

[Blue109]

In your other thread, I thought we were talking about the bushing under the top mount that was too small. When I installed my shocks, I got the top bolted in first, and then cranked down on the LCA until I could get that bottom bolt through. Doing this kept tension on the whole assembly so I honestly didn't notice if I have that play in the bottom eyelet. I don't have any clunks or noise in there but now I'm curious.

 

[Drobs]

Per your post in the main Eibach thread:

https://www.toyota-4runner.org/3628121-post2246.html

"For the record, this recording was done with the top mount unbolted and dropped. Only the lower shock mount bolt was inserted, not tightened, which is when I noticed the play and took the video. The top was completely free and able to move as you'd expect."


Tighten that shit down and then video it.

Here's mine. Nothing moves because it's all bolted down. I also had a professional install it. My EPTL was installed in 2019. It works perfectly.

 

[kouki_monster]

Yes you folks whom have "no problems" do have one problem, a bent LCA shock mount. When following factory shock install steps, one would probably not notice this problem, but that doesn't mean it isn't there. Mine is now bent, too, because Eibach said it was "OK" and I trusted them (before I decided to look into the issue further).

 

[Charlievee]

Yes you folks whom have "no problems" do have one problem, a bent UCA shock mount. When following factory shock install steps, one would probably not notice this problem, but that doesn't mean it isn't there. Mine is now bent, too, because Eibach said it was "OK" and I trusted them (before I decided to look into the issue further).

UCA shock mount?

 

[kouki_monster]

UCA shock mount?

Oops, my bad.. thanks for catching that. *LCA shock mount*

 

[Drobs]

Yes you folks whom have "no problems" do have one problem, a bent LCA shock mount. When following factory shock install steps, one would probably not notice this problem, but that doesn't mean it isn't there. Mine is now bent, too, because Eibach said it was "OK" and I trusted them (before I decided to look into the issue further).

OH NO OH NO a bent LCA Shock mount!!!
OMG OMG OMG OMG


When I win the lottery and want to install a ICON Stage 28, I can afford to buy a big ****ing pry bar to bend out the mount. Maybe a BFH to go with it.

Seriously - move on with your life.

 

[kouki_monster]

Dude.. I mean, I feel you. Not everyone is built the same, and I understand that I am "obsessive" over some things. For better or worse, and un-chosen (to a great extent) by myself, this is how my mind works. I see details that others do not and feel compelled to do everything in life "right." Every day, I am reminded, nearly constantly it seems, that I am very different than most.

But the truck was expensive (to me) and I also care about safety/reliability. I'm not a materials engineer, so I don't know anything about those welds there and if the added stress to the area is a concern.

At the end of the day, this is about 1) Me trying to find the best solution for my vehicle and my family's safety, and 2) Eibach is a large company that I used to respect.. so it's eye-opening and annoying to find that they've done this. I don't know if it's due to ignorance or greed, but I don't appreciate either. I would have wanted to know this (IMO, important) detail before I spent my hard-earned cash and time on Eibach's products.. and I'm sure there are others out there that will appreciate knowing this, as well. If this post isn't for you, that's fine.

Cheers.

 

[Drobs]

Dude.. I mean, I feel you. Not everyone is built the same, and I understand that I am "obsessive" over some things. For better or worse, and un-chosen (to a great extent) by myself, this is how my mind works. I see details that others do not and feel compelled to do everything in life "right." Every day, I am reminded, nearly constantly it seems, that I am very different than most.

But the truck was expensive (to me) and I also care about safety/reliability. I'm not a materials engineer, so I don't know anything about those welds there and if the added stress to the area is a concern.

At the end of the day, this is about 1) me trying to find the best solution for my vehicle and my family's safety, and 2) Eibach is a large company that I used to respect.. so it's eye-opening and annoying to find that they've done this. I don't know if it's due to ignorance or greed, but I don't appreciate either. I would have wanted to know this (IMO, important) detail before I spent my hard-earned cash and time on Eibach's products.. and I'm sure there are others out there that will appreciate knowing this, as well. If this post isn't for you, that's fine.

Cheers.

This is why you need to let professionals install stuff.
Don't look for meaning in the mundane.

Your 4Runner will be fine. Tighten it all down - and go enjoy it.

 

[glwood54]

Yes you folks whom have "no problems" do have one problem, a bent LCA shock mount.

Not everyone who has "no problems". When I installed my Eibach struts last year, it was all I could do to fit them into the LCA shock mount. There was no play with or without the bolt inserted, and with the top mounts loose.

 

[Xanderzuk88]

This is why you need to let professionals install stuff.
Don't look for meaning in the mundane.

Your 4Runner will be fine. Tighten it all down - and go enjoy it.

This is a textbook display of willful ignorance. To belittle someone over their criticism of an ill fitting component that can potentially alter the integrity of surrounding components is beyond petty.

Kouki I am with you on this 100%. Further, Eibach as a vendor to Toyota for oem suspension components should be intimately familiar with each and every design characteristic their product interfaces with.

 

[Blue109]

When all is said and done....I have a great feeling suspension with a perfect height lift for $630 to my door lol. Yes I'd do it again. If I need to open up that bottom mount 2mm a few years from now, I'll be ok with it.

 

[nimby]

This is quite easy to figure out. Not sure why it's so difficult.

Mount the lower shock and torque to the appropriate number.

Is it tight without play? Then you're fine.

Is it loose with some play? Then you'll need to shim it with a couple of 10 cent washers, ask Eibach for a different bushing, or ask Eibach for a refund and get some different shocks.

Is this not obvious?? :noidea: