FJ MOOG springs won't seat and make awful noises during articulation. Help?

przm

New member
This is my issue: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/156194-help-rear-fj-spring-wont-seat.html

I installed some new MOOG FJ springs (from an 07 4x4), on my 2005 4runner Sport 4x4. The install was fairly painless but I couldn't get the bottom of the springs wouldn't seat in the correct place.

I'd say they were about a half inch to an inch above where they should be. It seems like they are just too tight to seat properly. I tried everything I could and eventually gave up and just assumed they'd seat themselves once I drove around for awhile. I took the truck out and went through some dips faster than usual and got some noises from the rear, but the springs still didn't seat properly.

After a few days of normal driving I made a left turn into a fairly steep driveway and heard an awful noise. It sounded like as the spring was drooping out that it was scraping against the frame. It was like taking a stick and moving it up the spring quickly, almost like you'd strum a guitar. The noise resonated in the spring for a few seconds and then went away. You could also compare it to the noise one of those springy doorstops makes when you pull it back and let go.

I could get the noise to happen every time the rear suspension would articulate past a certain point. Usually pulling into driveways of gas stations or parking lots that are a little on the steeper side.

I searched for hours and could only find a few threads where the spring seating issue was mentioned (the one I linked above is the closest to my issue). But I couldn't find any threads on the noise I was getting. Today, when I drooped out one side of my axle to try to try again to reseat the springs I found the noise. It was the spring shifting on the bottom mount.

I put some lube on there and got some c-clamps to try to get it to seat (as the thread above describes). I tried for 2 hours with no luck. For the last week when i've been driving around with them unseated, I didn't have any lube on there.

What should I do? Just leave it alone and drive it until they seat properly? Is there any risk of the springs unseating from the bottom mount during articulation? How long did your FJ springs take to seat properly?

Help!


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Drivers side
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Drivers side

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Passenger Side
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Passenger Side
 
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I have read other posts on this and others have mentioned that the MOOG springs have a larger diameter.
 
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Based on the other thread it sounds like a tolerance issue due to the springs being aftermarket... You're gonna have to find a way to force it with a c-clamp.
 
I remember someone else on here had this same exact issue with their moog springs.I'm sure if you try a search it will pop up...
 
Well... i've been at it for 5 hours now, managed to get one side in with 4 c-clamps and a pry bar. the other side just isn't having it.

Lesson learned: don't buy the MOOG springs.
 
Look on the bright side... if you ever manage to seat those bad boys, you'll never need limit straps if you lift it! :P

Surprised that you're having an issue with Moog, I've found them to be really good OEM parts typically.
 
I got a PM from another member referring to this thread, so I thought i'd do an update for future members.

I've been running the unseated spring with zero issues ever since this thread. She's been on several roadtrips, lots of wheeling, accidentally jumped a few times, and more. Zero issues.

Here's a pic:

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I had the same issue with Moog FJ springs. I cut off 1/4 coil which opened up the inside dimension so they would seat. I been driving for 6 months with no issues.
 
I had same issues with the fitting. A couple members said it should be fine and it's not an exact fit. Have run about 8000 miles and no issues, but I'm not crawling up anything big at all. When I do go into a flex, I hear a scary sound like the spring going to pop out, but I've been lucky so far. Don't have 4x4 so don't do much flexing anyway. Only time will tell.
 
Bringing this thread back from the dead. I purposely avoided moog springs because of this reason and went for the ACDelco springs for the rear (45H2141) and it looks like I have a similar issue. It's close but not quite seated.

The 4Runner seems to sit pretty high in the rear too. I went from 35.75 to 37.75. I expect some settling, but wondering if there are any updates or anyone experienced this with the ACDelco.
 

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