HELP! Spanner wrench broke during install!

[Belaire23]

I got my toytec Boss liftkit installed yesterday and I was making adjustments to the height of the passenger side coilover and the “tooth” on the upper part of the spanner wrench came off. Does anyone know any way to get these coilovers adjusted because now my sides are about an inch different and I don’t want to drive it back and forth from work like this. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Jetboy]

Go to Harbor Freight and buy the punch and chisel set. One of them should fit nicely in the hole and make a good alternative to the one you have. I bent my Fox cheap stamped spanner wrench and now just use this method. Works a lot better for me than the original wrench.

 

[NZDZRT]

I second this...

Go to Harbor Freight and buy the punch and chisel set. One of them should fit nicely in the hole and make a good alternative to the one you have. I bent my Fox cheap stamped spanner wrench and now just use this method. Works a lot better for me than the original wrench.

Worked REALLY well for me this weekend!

 

[Belaire23]

Go to Harbor Freight and buy the punch and chisel set. One of them should fit nicely in the hole and make a good alternative to the one you have. I bent my Fox cheap stamped spanner wrench and now just use this method. Works a lot better for me than the original wrench.

Thanks big time!!! Heading there right now. Haha it sucks having your brand new lift and not being able to use it. Do I just use one punch to turn it??

 

[mrblah]

I bought and used a HF punch set for adjusting my coilovers. Works better than any spanner I've ever used, especially if you have remote resi's

 

[mrblah]

Thanks big time!!! Heading there right now. Haha it sucks having your brand new lift and not being able to use it. Do I just use one punch to turn it??

You need two or you can potentially egg out the adjustment holes. HF sells those punches in sets (set of 5 punches). I bought two sets, because you need 2 of the large punches.

 

[Belaire23]

In progress wish me luck I’m tired of driving my grandmothers Buick... :doh:
Sorry for sideways photo don’t know how to fix on phone.

 

[Jetboy]

I just use one. It does egg out the holes a bit, but I've never had an issue with that being a problem.

Most important thing you need to do is take the weight off the spring. So jack up your 4runner by the frame somewhere so the suspension is unloaded. I also like to spray some penetrating oil on them to help lubricate the threads. Not sure how much that matters - but it seems to help.

Edit: Also - depending on what shocks you have (there's a few different version of toytec shocks) there may be a set screw that you need to loosen. If you only have one threaded adjustment ring - it'll have a set screw somewhere. If there are two - they act like a jamb nut - so you need to loosen the one away from the spring first before you'll be able to move the other one.

I don't know all the details of toytec models - but the one thing to be extra careful is if it has a clamping style set screw like this don't open too far or it could come loose and the spring will release its energy potentially being veyr dangerous to you. Be careful if it's that style. Just loose enough to let it turn!

 

[Belaire23]

I just use one. It does egg out the holes a bit, but I've never had an issue with that being a problem.

Most important thing you need to do is take the weight off the spring. So jack up your 4runner by the frame somewhere so the suspension is unloaded. I also like to spray some penetrating oil on them to help lubricate the threads. Not sure how much that matters - but it seems to help.

Edit: Also - depending on what shocks you have (there's a few different version of toytec shocks) there may be a set screw that you need to loosen. If you only have one threaded adjustment ring - it'll have a set screw somewhere. If there are two - they act like a jamb nut - so you need to loosen the one away from the spring first before you'll be able to move the other one.

I don't know all the details of toytec models - but the one thing to be extra careful is if it has a clamping style set screw like this don't open too far or it could come loose and the spring will release its energy potentially being veyr dangerous to you. Be careful if it's that style. Just loose enough to let it turn!

Awesome reply thanks Jetboy! Fortunately I don’t think the boss lift has. Aset screw but I almost wish it did if it would make it easier to adjust when loosened.

Even with less leverage than the Spanner wrench I feel like it was almost easier to turn once I soaked it in WD40 and was able to hold onto two of the metal punches and seemed to remain out of the way of the majority of the suspension compontents.

Y’all came in clutch today for me so I owe y’all one.
I present you with a photo of my dirty girl in all her unadjusted portrait glory.

 

[stphnman20]

Did the same thing this weekend. Didn't want to buy the $30 spanner wrench so I went to Harbor Fright and bought a $5 3/8 punch. Worked beautifully!

 

[Belaire23]

Did the same thing this weekend. Didn't want to buy the $30 spanner wrench so I went to Harbor Fright and bought a $5 3/8 punch. Worked beautifully!

Well my punches fit but they don’t fit snug. Do yours? I’m attempting to adjust it while the tire is off and it is off the ground. I’ve got jacks supporting the frame and not the lower control arm yet it is still fighting me. Any ideas?

My harbor freight didn’t have one punch only a set unfortunately but at this point I may consider going somewhere else and get another set of two now that I know the size you’re using. Also soaked the collar in WD40 but a buddy of mine said to try liquid wrench next. It has been adjusting but very slowly and the holes are starting to egg out.

This is driving me insane. :rant:

 

[mrblah]

If you are going to try to adjust preload while the shock is still on the car, you will egg the holes out a little bit (even with the stock spanner wrench). Its the reason why that while coilovers are adjustable, its not a good idea to constantly mess with them while on the car. That is why, i recommend two of the big punches (even as far as picking up two sets, just to get them....and at HF its cheap enough).

Aesthetically, its gonna look bad, but functionally, it won't impact the performance of the shock.

My kings, look like crap after constantly adjusting it and I have no choice but to use punches because I have remote resi's. The remote resi's oil lines are in the way for me, so spanner's are a no go.

It use to bother me, but not so much anymore.

 

[stphnman20]

Well my punches fit but they don’t fit snug. Do yours? I’m attempting to adjust it while the tire is off and it is off the ground. I’ve got jacks supporting the frame and not the lower control arm yet it is still fighting me. Any ideas?

My harbor freight didn’t have one punch only a set unfortunately but at this point I may consider going somewhere else and get another set of two now that I know the size you’re using. Also soaked the collar in WD40 but a buddy of mine said to try liquid wrench next. It has been adjusting but very slowly and the holes are starting to egg out.

This is driving me insane. :rant:

Yes, the 3/8 punch fit perfect! All I did was jacked up the truck, wheels off the ground, loosing the set screw and turn the collar. It was easy.

Edit: just notice you have Toytec. I have Icon. But by looking at the pic you posted, 3/8 punch or less should work..