Front Spring/Shock replacement by disconnecting LBJ?

[drallan]

Apologies if this specific question has been asked before, but I couldn't find any results.

I've been saving up for some suspension work in the spring. My 20 year old rig with 250k has gotten quite bouncy and squirrely over the years. Right now I'm not looking for a lift, just want to replace some front end parts including shocks and springs. I have seen the write ups and videos for the 4th gen where they use a floor jack under the LCA and disconnect the 2 bolts holding LBJ to knuckle to allow for a pretty painless shock/spring change without the need for a compressor or press.

I understand that our LBJs are designed different. But I'm wondering if a similar approach can be used. Especially if changing out LBJs at the same time. Can I just place a jack under the LCA, disconnect the LBJ at the castle nut, then lower the LCA and release the tension on the spring. The truck would already be in the air and on jack stands. Then reassemble in reverse? I understand I may have to also break free the OTE as well. But as long as I use a proper BJ/TE press and don't damage boots is there any harm?

Does that make sense? I understand the safest/best way is to take it to a shop and have them press, but if I can save the time and money on that and just do it in my driveway I'd appreciate it. I've never seen it mentioned on here before, so I'm assuming there is a flaw to my logic, I just can't figure out where.

Thanks,

 

[MStudt]

For replacing the LBJ you only need to remove the castle nut from the bottom, and the 4 bolts holding it to the spindle. Then take a pickle fork to remove the LBJ from the LCA. For the coilover you need to remove the lower bolt, and the three upper nuts near the UCA. You may need to pry the lower part of the shock out, but that's it.

You'll only need a spring compressor if you're trying to change springs from the shocks on the front. If you're replacing the entire assembly it's just bolt on, and nothing more. No need to go to the shop for anything you're talking about.

Mike

 

[drallan]

Thanks for the reply. I did the LBJ's about 7 years ago, but figured it couldn't hurt to do again while i'm in there. I'm not worried about that. What I'm really looking for is can I use this process to help assemble the shock/springs vice having it already assembled. If I buy a stock pair of springs and some KYB Monomax struts. Can I install them using this method without having them preassembled?

Jack and support everything.
Place jack under LCA.
Disconnect OTE
Disconnect Swaybar link
Break LBJ free from castlenut
Remove lower shock mount
Remove upper shock nut (not the 3 in the tophat)
Lower the jack under LCA until no more tension on spring
Remove spring and shock

Then essentially reassemble in reverse.

Fit spring and shock back into place and top hat.
Install lower shock bolt
raise LCA with jack to compress spring until I can get the nut on shock.
Reconnect everything else
Get an alignment

I may change End Links, LBJ and TREs while I'm in there, but the principle will be the same.

What am I missing?

 

[Joelzy]

can it be done that way? probably
should it be done that way? negative

but safety third, am i right?

Jack and support everything.
Place jack under LCA.
Disconnect OTE
Disconnect Swaybar link
Break LBJ free from castlenut
Remove lower shock mount
Remove upper shock nut (not the 3 in the tophat)
Lower the jack under LCA until no more tension on spring
Remove spring and shock

if you do decide to go this route
- you're not going to want to remove the lower shock bolt until after you lower the jack
- if we're talking about a 4wd, your axles will probably limit how far down you are able to take the LCA
- not sure it'll all just line right up as you jack it up while trying to reassemble but i've never tried it

seems like a lot of trouble when you're replacing struts and shocks and could just get them assembled beforehand.

 

[phattyduck]

seems like a lot of trouble when you're replacing struts and shocks and could just get them assembled beforehand.

Or use spring compressors like a normal person. OEM style springs on OEM style shocks are not difficult to do with normal spring compressors.

-Charlie

 

[Kanoe]

There is info on here about people doing this as you suggest. The No Spring Compressor method. It is a viable option. Do some googling and you should find others to follow.

I personally wouldn't try this with any taller lift spring but for stock height replacement you should do OK.

But as Charlie above suggested, it's not that hard with the spring compressors either which you should be able to borrow from an autoparts store.

 

[drallan]

Point noted on the waiting until tension is off before removing lower shock. I understand the difference between per FSM step-by-step, some sort of middle ground garage DIY but still correct, and wrong/unsafe. I wasn't quite sure how all the geometry would line up and if that was the problem or if there was something else. I was hoping to find a middle between pre-assembled at shop vice DIY spring compressors. For convience, I'll probably get new top hats as well so I can have everything ready to go before starting.

I was trying to find a way to save $100 if I could. The "Its only another $100" or "While you are in there..." adds up quickly when you go down that rabbit hole. What started as a project to fix bouncing and reduce squirrelyness has turned into: Struts, Springs, LBJ, OTE/ITE, and swaybar links. And that is just the front, also on the plan is rear springs/shocks and lower rear control arms (at least bushings) to fix rear end wander when going over bumps on the highway.

This seems to be a fairly well accepted method in the 4gen T4R and 2gen Taco forums and I wasn't sure why a similar approach wouldn't work on the 3rd.

These trucks have been around for almost 25 years and a lot of smart guys on here, and this method isn't one I had seen mentioned for a 3rd gen and was curious as to why not.

 

[drallan]

There is info on here about people doing this as you suggest. The No Spring Compressor method. It is a viable option. Do some googling and you should find others to follow.

I personally wouldn't try this with any taller lift spring but for stock height replacement you should do OK.

But as Charlie above suggested, it's not that hard with the spring compressors either which you should be able to borrow from an autoparts store.

Thanks, I had read enough posts where the spring compressor is not recommended or deemed risky and was hoping for a similarly easy but safer method.

 

[drallan]

seems like a lot of trouble when you're replacing struts and shocks and could just get them assembled beforehand.

Hope was that if I'm already planing on doing TREs, and LBJs I'd already have to to most of the work regardless. Hopefully I could save a step and a few dollars in the process. Or might motivate me to apply that saved money to more parts.

 

[Joelzy]

Hope was that if I'm already planing on doing TREs, and LBJs I'd already have to to most of the work regardless. Hopefully I could save a step and a few dollars in the process. Or might motivate me to apply that saved money to more parts.

i gotcha and trust me im into saving when i can but i've learned the hard way a few times as well and dont chance it as often anymore with a wife and babies on the way.

a few of these will do that to ya

not a spring related injury but more of a "trying to save money and time by doing it the wrong way" type of injury

that all being said, if it were me and i hadn't ordered my struts assembled, i'd definitely use the compressor over this method. Before i got into toyotas i used them all the time and its not so bad if you take your time and keep them even. you also dont attempt to get the outer coils, rather a couple in from each side and only compress the necessary amount.

 

[2016 4Runner SR5]

can it be done that way? probably
should it be done that way? negative

but safety third, am i right?



if you do decide to go this route
- you're not going to want to remove the lower shock bolt until after you lower the jack
- if we're talking about a 4wd, your axles will probably limit how far down you are able to take the LCA
- not sure it'll all just line right up as you jack it up while trying to reassemble but i've never tried it

seems like a lot of trouble when you're replacing struts and shocks and could just get them assembled beforehand.

I've used this "no spring compressor" method many times. You're right, do not remove the lower shock bolt until you're ready to remove the shock. Other than that, it works beautifully.

 

[HiLife]

i gotcha and trust me im into saving when i can but i've learned the hard way a few times as well and dont chance it as often anymore

OUCH!! Stuff like this re-enforces me to work safely and do stuff the right way.
Hope your injury healed. That looked way painful.

 

[MStudt]

Another option is to buy a front spring/shock assembly, and not worry about anything. Most place sell them as full units as opposed to individual pieces anyways. Or, like others have said, and rent a spring compressor for Autozone. It's technically free once you return it.

Mike

 

[Wild Thing]

Damn... That looks painful!

Did that to the end of my thumb with a wood splitter, while momentarily distracted by an argumentative (ex-)wife. Heard and felt the pop of the poor, flat little thumb bone crying out as a big round of white oak crushed it to pieces against the splitter.

I feel your pain, man.
And your cautiousness!

i gotcha and trust me im into saving when i can but i've learned the hard way a few times as well and dont chance it as often anymore with a wife and babies on the way.

a few of these will do that to ya

not a spring related injury but more of a "trying to save money and time by doing it the wrong way" type of injury