Front strut assembly stuck
- Thread starter dta1984
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wnelax04sr5
New member
when i removed my stock suspension at 100k ish, after taking out the lower shock mount and three upper mounts it wouldn't move. i put a very large flathead screwdriver against the top bolt, knowing i wouldn't reuse it, and hit it a few times with a hammer. it popped loose after a couple hits, and a shot of pb blast or wd40 couldn't hurt either
wnelax04sr5
New member
BFH (big fat hammer)
HokieRunner
New member
Just do this. Beat the hell outta it. The top hat gets corroded on.
fullboogie
New member
Loosen the LCA bolts a little, which will allow it to drop down further. Strut will fall right out.
Its a delicate procedure. If done wrong things can bad in a hurry.
Start by turning the garage lights down low, put on some soft music, some wine and PB blaster around the top hat. Then you have to talk softly to it. Dont demand it comes out just suggest it. Make it feel comfortable. Let it know you are just as nervous about things as it is. Then when the moment feels right, beat that son of a b$#@!& with a 8lbs sledge. Works every time.
Start by turning the garage lights down low, put on some soft music, some wine and PB blaster around the top hat. Then you have to talk softly to it. Dont demand it comes out just suggest it. Make it feel comfortable. Let it know you are just as nervous about things as it is. Then when the moment feels right, beat that son of a b$#@!& with a 8lbs sledge. Works every time.
Buahahaha!! ^^^^^^ MOST DEFINITELY THIS!!!! :girl:
Haha I haven't tried that! That could be what I'm missing lol.
Thanks for the tips! I will give it another try this weekend.
wnelax04sr5
New member
pour a few glasses of wine in the gas tank, should loosen her rightttttttt up
toyrunner2006
New member
2006 4 Runner 4WD I'm having a same problem right now!! trying to remove the strut but no luck so far . swaybar removed, no room for hammer,,, any one please heeelp @@@
My fix was using an air hammer right around the top side where the center bolt and bushings come through. There was another thread on here that I got that idea from. O, and lots of PB blaster! Both sides of mine were seized like that.
Edit; there should be plenty of room for a hammer
Here's a similar thread;
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/127323-strut-wont-come-out-feels-stuck-2.html
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Beat it! For real, take the bottom bolt out, pull out slightly on the bottom then whack the shit out of the top hat!
Krayziekid
New member
Took off my stock struts at 115k and they were a pain in the ass and really stuck. I found that a large amount of PB Blaster and a big hammer with a flathead screwdriver can at least loosen them up a bit. I also used a fair amount of WD40 and air tools. I'm not sure if it actually helped, but I took a blowtorch to the top bolts too, and if I remember correctly, it seemed to make things easier. Good luck.
Elan750
New member
one thing to add as I ran into this same issue. mine were really rusted together. I tried hammering a flathead between the strut top and the frame bracket to no avail.
I then took a pipe, and from the engine bay, pointed it into the top strut bracket, and gave it a bunch of blows with a 5lb hammer. I also used some mapp gas to get it hot.
this did the trick on both sides.
I hate those surprise extra two hours tacked onto a job...
I then took a pipe, and from the engine bay, pointed it into the top strut bracket, and gave it a bunch of blows with a 5lb hammer. I also used some mapp gas to get it hot.
this did the trick on both sides.
I hate those surprise extra two hours tacked onto a job...
Good tips!
Haha i hear ya, I hate getting into a job that is fairly straightforward only to get delayed by something not coming apart.
