Help- I made a big mistake

[4Runner4Runner4]

I installed the Daystar 2.5 kit (front and rear) a year ago. It was perfect; my rig was level.

This year, I needed new front struts because my front tires were cupping badly and I had a nasty steering wheel shake at 55-70 mph.

I had my local Toyota dealer service center install Bilstein 5100’s and set them at 0”. But after install, my front is a solid 2” higher than the rear.

Shouldn’t it be the same height? Help, I accidentally squatted my 4Runner.

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[techno]

This usually results from an idiot installing the spring perch on the strut upside down. Show us a pic of the strut please.

 

[venomj]

Are you still using the old springs?

 

[riverwolf]

As techno said, we need to see what your installation looks like. You told them to use the 0" perch, but they could have used a different perch setting, unless you've confirmed yourself.

 

[montijo505]

Pictures of the shock where the bottom of the spring meets the perch will help immensely here


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[y=mx+b]

Did they leave the spacer in there? The rear also looks low, especially since the daystar 2.5/1.5 kit lifts the rear too

Like others said, check if perches are upside down.

This is upside down

This is right side up

 

[t4rky]

hope you get this solved!

 

[bob3dsf]

Yep , probably those spring seats are upside down... Looks like the kid who does oil changes got promoted a little early...

 

[4Runner4Runner4]

Unfortunately, it looks like my spring perches were installed correctly.

I am seeing that the Daystar lift spacers are indeed retained (and I never asked for those to be removed). But that should not affect the ride height considering my 4Runner was level prior to the Bilstein 5100 installation and the struts are set at 0”… right?


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[4Runner4Runner4]

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[jcaino]

Hmm, might need to double-check they're actually set at 0" - I think you should be able to see the additional notches above the 0 setting, but dont see any above that lower perch, so it might actually be set for max lift. Picture angle seems to obscure it a bit, so its hard to tell from those pics.

I'd take a pic of mine (they're at 0) but its caked with sand and mud right now.

Easy solution: remove the spacers.

 

[4Runner4Runner4]

Hmm, might need to double-check they're actually set at 0" - I think you should be able to see the additional notches above the 0 setting, but dont see any above that lower perch, so it might actually be set for max lift. Picture angle seems to obscure it a bit, so its hard to tell from those pics.

I'd take a pic of mine (they're at 0) but its caked with sand and mud right now.

Easy solution: remove the spacers.

Thank you! I’ll take some more pictures and angles shortly. Will the height notches in question be located above the spring perch (inside the spring) or below it?

Can the height be adjusted without removing the strut, like on an adjustable coilover, or is it only adjustable during removal?

I will also try to full-drop a rear wheel soon and take a picture of that setup to post here and inquire if there’s anything weird going on back there which might be causing the squat. I’m completely dumbfounded how this could have happened, and I’m loathing every mile spent the road while driving a squatted 4Runner.

Tires are 285/70/r17, offset on Synergy 2” spacers… just in case that’s a factor.


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[eleven14]

jcaino nailed it, looks like you're set on the highest notch (I'm set to 0 and can see additional notches above the perch).

You'll need to remove them in order to adjust the height setting, unfortunately. Hopefully the mistake was on the mechanic's end and they'll make it right.

 

[montijo505]

As stated, there should be I think 2 notches in the shock body visible above the perch. It doesn’t look like there is. So take it back and have it set to “0” or remove the spacers and see where that leaves you.


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[riverwolf]

OP, here are the 5100's installation instructions to help you visualize what's happening. As has been mentioned, the strut will need to be disassembled to change the height. A C-clip is placed into one of the four grooves and the lower spring perch sits on that clip. Spring pressure has to be removed to release the lower perch to expose the C-clip.

 

[daytonaviolet]

since it’s already set on a higher perch, why but just take out the the spacer ?

 

[riceandpho]

take out the spacer use the shock to do the lift, or get new springs, i still dont get why people use worn parts on new parts especially springs and shock.

 

[gaber6]

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Based off these photos, it looks like the daystar puck is still in there.
I just took mine out to lower the front but kept the rear 1.5" in so I can tow but have a hair of rake forward still.