Front struts assembled wrong?

[JohnOfTheJungle]

I got my front struts assembled and put on my Runner at a local garage.

Basically my setup is:

Front - 99 tall springs (ac delco) with bilstein 4600. I bought a new top plate called a Monroe strut mate
Rear - OME 906 with bilstein 5100

Here's a picture of the assembled strut

It's hard to see but it looks like the top of the spring doesn't really sit inside of a groove or anything, it just kind of mashes against the rubber unevenly. I'm thinking this might be giving an extra 1/2" of lift and maybe putting preload on the spring.

My plan was to end up with a slight rake and I was expecting the rear to undoubtedly be higher than the front.

Here's what the Runner looks like unloaded:

It looks like I ended up basically level, at times it almost looks like I've got reverse rake. Measured hub to fender I can't remember the exact #s but rear is about 1/4" to 1/2" more than front.

The ride also is pretty stiff. Do you think the front struts are assembled wrong or those Monroe top plates are causing some weird preload?



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[kolelt]

Looks like the coil is installed upside down.

 

[JohnOfTheJungle]

Well that probably explains a lot! Thanks

Edit- was thinking about it more, I can take some pics later but I do remember that the coil at the bottom does fit into the retainer ring.

Would be awesome if a few other people could confirm the early diagnosis


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[Wikano]

It looks like the AC Delco springs do not have a nice taper at the end and flattened top like the OEMs. Perhaps the springs were installed upside down? One end of the spring should be able to stand upright on a flat surface and the other side should curl up at an angle. Do you have a picture of the bottom of the strut?

 

[JohnOfTheJungle]

I will take one tomorrow


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[A.Wilson013]

They're installed correctly. Including the orientation of the spring.

Sorry you didn't get the results you wanted and/or expected.

 

[Kanoe]

I can't see the pictures to comment on assembly but I can tell you that you are not the first person to get unexpected results from this set up.

I put 99 talls all around and ended up 1" taller in front. Now with OME2906s in the rear and 99 talls in front I sit dead level unloaded. Luckily the 2906s don't sag much when loaded but still a little reverse rake. I have no idea why it turned out this way.

But just today I scored a pair of progressive rate springs out of a 2003ish tacoma offroad package. Side by side comparison with a pair of 99 talls I have here leads me to believe they will drop my front a bit when they go in. They are maybe 1/4 inch shorter and they are progressive rate so they should settle a bit more. Can't wait to try.

Oh - I have the Bilstien 4600s all around too.

 

[nat103]

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Hard to see in the picture, is there a rubber bushing on top of the top plate?
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[TheDurk]

I have that setup and the unloaded rake is very slight. The big difference is in the loaded rake. Compared to the disastrous rear sag with the original rear '99 talls, the new 906s sit tall and proud. I'm happy with the setup.

 

[JohnOfTheJungle]

Here are some more pics.

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[99Runnr]

Run it, that is installed properly. Maybe someone will post a picture of their aftermarket spring sitting against the top plate. Normally it's a much smoother transition then that, but it's installed properly.

 

[JohnOfTheJungle]

Thanks for the insight fellas. You think the way it's smashing in there is causing any noticeable preload and contributing to a rough ride? The mechanic did note that it was challenging to compress the springs.

Sounds like I need to get some 10mm trim packers for the back to satisfy my rake desires. I was thinking about stacking 2 of them for 20mm.

The other option is the daystar 1.5" spacer. Do you think 2" of rake unloaded will be ridiculous?


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[kolelt]

I'm sorry for misinformation. I apologize.

Personally it looks wrong. But I guess it's not according to members. I would think the coil would sit inside the shock cup. And the top part would be flat. Which would sit perfectly with the bushing. That's how my old eibachs were.

 

[Chingpo05]

its correct. its just the top of the spring did not have a nice taper, give it some time and the ride quality should change

 

[phattyduck]

(ac delco)

There's your problem...

-Charlie

 

[Tyler James Inc]

There's your problem...



-Charlie

X2
But [MENTION=10169]TheDurk[/MENTION], are your front coils OEM?
The OEM coils wouldn't look wrong- like yours do- but they might sit exactly the same.
Interesting that the mechanic said they were "hard to compress". I wonder if the aftermarket AC Delco coils have a higher spring rate.

 

[JohnOfTheJungle]

Guess that's what I get for saving money with AC Delco coils. In case anyone is curious the ones I bought are ACDelco 45H0368 (also referred to as 19241929)

It's also tough because I haven't ridden in another Runner that has been lifted, so I don't know what's normal. It is an improvement in control and comfort over my old completely blown out stock suspension, but passengers do comment that it feels rough.

Regarding AC Delco 99 talls - I felt confident enough ordering because I saw them recommended once on this forum and another time on a random 4x4 forum, haha in hindsight I guess I could have gone with a safer choice.

Anyway, on here this guy [MENTION=151010]SaulG[/MENTION] lists a bunch of specs, I should send him a PM to see if he actually used them:

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/2706889-post54.html

Front Spring Compressed Length 45H0368 COIL
254 mm
Front Spring Inside Diameter
3.1 in
Front Spring Inside Diameter
78.7 mm
Front Spring Relaxed Length
14.3 in
Front Spring Relaxed Length
363.2 mm
Front Spring Seat Included
No
Grade Type
Premium
Load Rate Front
2565
Load Rate Front
1163 kg
Meets or Exceeds Original Equipment Manufacture Specifications
Yes
Spring Color
Black
Spring Material
Steel
Spring Rate Front
Constant
Wire Diameter
0.670 in
Wire Diameter
17.02 mm​

Here's the other post that referenced them with the people saying they like them: Wanted: 1999 4Runner "Highlander" Springs [Archive] - Rising Sun Member Forums

I just wonder if them being mashed up against the rubber top plate like that is causing pre-load and making them ride rougher.

 

[TheDurk]

X2
But [MENTION=10169]TheDurk[/MENTION], are your front coils OEM?
The OEM coils wouldn't look wrong- like yours do- but they might sit exactly the same.
Interesting that the mechanic said they were "hard to compress". I wonder if the aftermarket AC Delco coils have a higher spring rate.

Yes, they are factory talls. As OEM as it gets. Color codes confirm they are talls.

 

[JohnOfTheJungle]

Pulled these #s from the chart from OME's site. Looks like the AC Delco at 17mm is 1mm thicker coil and sits about 1.5mm lower than the OME 880.

I can't figure out the load rating on AC Delco - there's no way it's 1000+ KG, so not sure how that translates.

Here's a screenshot that I photoshopped together to show the specs for the relevant OME springs

Here's the chart to download:

http://www.arbusa.com/Uploads/PDF/onlineManualsGuides/OME_Guide_current.pdf