Front shock replacement

[Catahoula Lou]

My mechanic wants to charge me 3.5 shop hours to replace my front shocks. I would like to save that money. I've done a lot of home mechanic work on vehicles other than my 2000 4R, but I've not replaced the shocks.

What are the steps that I need to take, especially with the springs, etc.? What are the potential problems?

Is it straightforward or a pain in the neck?

Where can I get a service manual?

TIA

Catahoula Lou

 

[shootmymime]

ill post the write up i used from work to do mine.... but 1st ill let you know what the biggest problem i had!


if the strut is not seated on the spring correctly then you will have a big pain twisting the strut trying to get that lower bolt in because the hole dosnt line up, also disconnect the sway bar link, helps with lowering the lower A arm so you can put the bottom strut part in... enough with the talking let me post that for you... one moment

 

[shootmymime]

REMOVAL


Remove the front wheel. NOTE: when installing the front wheel, tighten it to 110 Nm (83 ft. lbs.) .
Disconnect the shock absorber from the lower suspension arm by doing the following.

Loosen the bolt and remove the shock absorber lower nut and washer. Installation Hint: After stabilizing the suspension, tighten the bolt to 135 Nm (101 ft. lbs.) .
With lowering the lower suspension arm, remove the bolt and disconnect the shock absorber.

Remove the shock absorber and the coil spring after removing the three nuts, shock absorber and coil spring. NOTE: when installing the shock and the coil spring, tighten the three bolts to 64 Nm (47 ft. lbs.) .
INSTALLATION
Install in the reverse order of removal.


let me know if that works for you!

my records says it should take about 1.4 hours (going by my website)

 

[trd_4runnin]

You will most likely need two spring compressor sets. Can be rented from autozone and advance auto parts through their loaner tool program.

Air tools will save you a ton of time also.