Help!!! Strut install

[jpeaslee]

I just put billy 5100s and TRD coils on my 4runner friday. I did a lot worse on indexing than your shop did. Like others said, you should easily be able to put a socket extension or a screwdriver through the bottom eyelet ONLY (Not through the mount on the LCA) and turn it clockwise to get it square. Once you do that, I's all about manipulating the control arm down to get it to where you can put a bolt through. Once I got it close I used a socket extension and put it through the mount and into the eyelet on the shock to get the holes to line up exactly. FWIW, getting that bottom bolt in was by far the hardest part of the whole process for me.

 

[jerkstore]

You guys rock!!! Awesome! Thanks for the help!!!

 

[Konkordmusk]

You guys rock!!! Awesome! Thanks for the help!!!

Oh nice. Your spring perch is upside down. You're gonna wanna get that put back the right way

 

[jerkstore]

Oh nice. Your spring perch is upside down. You're gonna wanna get that put back the right way

IS THAT WHY MY FRONT END IS SO MUCH HIGHER NOW????:doh::doh:

 

[Konkordmusk]

IS THAT WHY MY FRONT END IS SO MUCH HIGHER NOW????:doh::doh:

LOL. Yes, it is bring the front struts back to the mechanic who can't follow basic reassembly procedures.

 

[jerkstore]

LOL. Yes, it is bring the front struts back to the mechanic who can't follow basic reassembly procedures.

Well I guess i am going to get pretty good at this...At least this guy is open on sundays...there goes my sunday...

 

[Konkordmusk]

Well I guess i am going to get pretty good at this...At least this guy is open on sundays...there goes my sunday...

With the perch installed the correct way, installation of the whole assembly is gonna be SO much easier than with it installed the wrong way. It'll take you half the time compared to what you just experienced!

 

[LookAtThatDog]

OP if you need help this week, lemme know!

 

[afg10000]

Good god, man - be careful. Another trick is to detach the LBJ and the LCA will be free to move without much effort. Just make sure to use blue locktite and torque correctly when re-installing the 4 bolts. Keep an eye on your CV boots after all this is done. You might get a money shot from them. Also, I recommend tightening the nut on your sway bar end-link. Based on your last pic, there's not much thread holding it on.

 

[jerkstore]

OP if you need help this week, lemme know!

This ***** is getting put together today!!! On my way to the shop now.

 

[jerkstore]

Good god, man - be careful. Another trick is to detach the LBJ and the LCA will be free to move without much effort. Just make sure to use blue locktite and torque correctly when re-installing the 4 bolts. Keep an eye on your CV boots after all this is done. You might get a money shot from them. Also, I recommend tightening the nut on your sway bar end-link. Based on your last pic, there's not much thread holding it on.

Thanks for the advice! I had loosened the sway bar end link to allow the CAs to move down easier. I got it all back together and took it for a spin. It's at the right height and with new shocks/struts all around the ride is so much better. Thanks again for all the help guys!! I was really freaking out, because it just didn't seem right...that because it wasn't!

 

[jerkstore]

Another thing, the reason why it was so hard for me to get the bottom eye of the shocks to rotate is because the springs were compressed and extra 2-3" with the spring perch being upside down. Thanks again Konkordmusk for seeing that!

When i took it back to the shop they argued that it was installed correctly and I had to pull up pictures of Bilstein struts on my phone to prove to them that they were upside down. They kept telling me it wasn't the right shock and that's why the truck was 3" higher than it was supposed to be. Eventually they conceded and switched them around.

 

[NorthernRunner]

Did they just install them for you too, since you were there anyway?

I had a hell of a time getting my OME struts assembled by the Toyota dealership here. First they put the spring perch in upside down, then put it in properly but had the spring upside down, then had everything the right way but forgot a bushing... It was a nightmare.

 

[vanion2]

I just read this whole post and am amazed at what "professionals" are capable of.

And since this is relevant to the topic, I am having the same alignment issue but my strut is a KYB gas-a-just with a fixed spring perch. I tried the rotational method and got it closer but the spring is now firmly in the bottom perch as far as it can go. I assume at this point I will have to realign the top perch to correct the alignment?

If so, then suck. I made sure the upper spring perch seat lined up with the upper coil. I didn't think this would be a problem with an OEM replacement strut. At least I only have myself to blame though.

 

[vanion2]

Never mind. I just compressed the spring and aligned the top perch and it went in with no problems.