Installed Tokico Trekmasters - Having an issue

[baja bound]

Ok so here's the deal... About 6 months ago I threw some trekmasters on the rear of my 02 4runner. Previously I was running the bilstein 5150's, but after breaking one in mexico, I decided to replace both of them with the tokico's.

It was a pretty straight forward install and everything seemed to be fine. Shortly after the install I would hear a slightly peculiar sound usually when I was driving over a speed bump or something. The sound I was hearing was a type of "clank" almost like the spare tire underneath was loose and rocking back and forth when I would pass over a bump.

I've been in and out of the country for the past 4 months and just finally got around to really trying to sort out this problem. Over the weekend I was trying to locate the source of the sound and found that both shocks were loose! Basically I can grab each shock and with a good amount of force can rattle it back and forth.

The bolt from the top of the shock is a much smaller diameter then the hole in the frame therefore, it has a good amount of play and after the bushing must have compressed it didnt have enough tension to remain tight and now although it is secure, it isnt tight.

So I guess I am looking for insight as to what may have caused this etc. and although I am assuming the logical solution is to retighten the bolts, I am more concerned with preventing this from happening again. Expert thoughts???

Thanks in advance guys!

 

[Gerdo]

I'm guessing that you are talking about the rear shocks?
You can't compress the rubber bushings enough to have the top tight in the frame mount?
I assume that you used all of the rubber bushings and washers?
(usually a washer on top of the shock, a rubber bushing, the frame, a rubber bushing, a washer and then the nut)
Is this how you have it?
You could add some "filler" washers on top (between the shock washer and the nut)

 

[baja bound]

I'm guessing that you are talking about the rear shocks?
You can't compress the rubber bushings enough to have the top tight in the frame mount?
I assume that you used all of the rubber bushings and washers?
(usually a washer on top of the shock, a rubber bushing, the frame, a rubber bushing, a washer and then the nut)
Is this how you have it?
You could add some "filler" washers on top (between the shock washer and the nut)

Hi Gerdo - Yes it is the rear shocks - and I have it installed in the sequence you listed above...

Washer on top of the shock, then they rubber bushing (which are cracked/compressed) - The frame, another rubber bushing, the washer then the nut.

On both of the shocks, the rubber bushings seem "squeezed"

 

[baja bound]

Applying additional rubber bushings was an idea...but is that more of a bandaid than a true fix? Out of all the responses and feedback regarding these shocks, I have never read about anyone having/experiencing this problem.

I cant determine anything that I may have done improperly to cause this. So I am most concerned with solving the immediate issue of - loose rear shocks - and also making sure this problem does not occur again.

Thank you

 

[Gerdo]

On both of the shocks, the rubber bushings seem "squeezed"

I guess I'm missing what is not tight.

Yes the stud on the shock will be quite a bit smaller than the hole in the frame. Is it centered in that hole?

 

[baja bound]

I guess I'm missing what is not tight.

Yes the stud on the shock will be quite a bit smaller than the hole in the frame. Is it centered in that hole?

The top of the shock - where mounted to the frame is not tight and secure. I can grab the shock with my hand and move the top of it back and forth - within the confines of the hole in the frame. Does that make sense?

 

[Gerdo]

They will all move some within the rubber bushings. If you think they move too much, I would add a few washers to the top.

 

[baja bound]

Gerdo - Thank you for all your prompt responses to this, I appreciate it!

So you're saying its normal for the top of the shock to not be completely secured from moving on the frame?

Attached is a picture of the area I am referring too - NOT MY RIG - to illustrate the problem area - Where that rubber bushing is on mine is cracked and basically isnt being held tight against the frame like in the picture. I can take that top part and shake it around within the hole it is going through...

Sorry I cant take pics right now, I'm sure that would make all of this a lot easier to diagnose. Thanks for all your help regardless!

 

[nevada]

The top of the shock - where mounted to the frame is not tight and secure. I can grab the shock with my hand and move the top of it back and forth - within the confines of the hole in the frame. Does that make sense?

its a post style shock?

sound like maybe the bushings were put on wrong.
upside down.
there should be a little lip on the bushing that fits inside the hole in the frame.

edit: possibly overtightened aswell. if the bushing is damaged.

 

[Gerdo]

You may need to replace the bushings if they are cracked. Also I would go even tighter than the picture shows. It may wiggle when you yank on it but not really move.

 

[baja bound]

Ok thanks for the help guys. I'm gonna put this on stand by until I get home tonight to work on this. I'll take pics and hopefully provide some clarity as to whats happening...

Thanks again!

 

[Zachpins34]

I think I have the same issue with my passenger rear shock. Tokiko Trekmaster too. I'll definitely bookmark this thread

 

[shmabs]

I had the exact same issue in the past. It seems like some good poly shock bushings could solve it, they maintain their shape a bit better when compressed. As was previously mentioned one of the bushings should have a small protruding lip on it, about the size of the shock mount hole in the frame, be sure that lip is where it belongs.

When i switched rear shocks my issue went away with the new bushings, but i will keep an eye out for some poly shock bushings to solve the issue.


Mike

 

[Gerdo]

If I grab my shock and yank real hard, it wiggles a little. It definitely doesn't "move".
This is what my bushing looks like.

 

[baja bound]

Pulled off the shocks this morning to find this:

*Both sets of bushings did not have the nipples for the frame

*Because of this the stud on the strut was able to grind out a bigger hole and lathe itself down in the process

Now I am left with a whole new bigger dilemma. What would the experts suggest? Weld a filler plate?

The 2 pics with the bigger hole is the rear passenger and the smaller hole is driver side. Drivers could just use some new bushings and call it good, but its the passenger side that is screwed...

 

[Gerdo]

You could weld a large washer over the enlarged holes.
OR, the proper bushings and properly tightened, they should be fine.

 

[baja bound]

You could weld a large washer over the enlarged holes.
OR, the proper bushings and properly tightened, they should be fine.

A washer is a perfect idea... Do you think it is strong enough?

I feel like if I just threw new bushings on, it would still be able to move and eventually do the same to the new shock?

 

[nevada]

it will need a washer for sure.

just bushings, and that hole will cut them up in short time.

 

[Shibby!]

How long were they rattling away?

I'm a bit nervous about mine now.

I figured I had it fixed. My top washer broke (reused) and started to rattle. I fixed it with a new washer and figured it was fixed.

Wheeling yesterday I had not one, but both struts rattling now.. grr..

I'll be checking out my struts for wear like yours, but hope I just have to put washers on top of the grommet washer and below the nut to compress the bushings more... I hope....

Let me know what you ended up doing. I wonder if this is an issue because it was designed for the LC, or is it a bushing issue, or what?

I'd like to have seen a bushing that slipped around the shaft and through the mounting plate to prevent this when properly squished. Mine were never properly squished because the nut hit the end of threads long before the rubber compressed enough. I hope I can catch it in time with washers. Might get off my ass and tackle that tonight. If not tonight, this week for sure.

Edit: Do you also know the threaded shaft diameter? Would love to have washers prior to digging into this project. I hate accessing those nuts...