Missing top nut on front coilover? Something wrong with this picture

[alunnrhue]

OKay, so I've been experiencing some wandering on the highway the past 10k miles, heard some clunking in the front suspension when going full extension, popping sometimes. Took a look and need to replace sway bushing but couldn't find anything else. Took it to Big'O tires and asked them to do a shakedown after they balanced, rotated, alignment. Didn't find anything...

Well before I headed out to run the white rim trail again in Canyonlands/Moab later this week, I thought I should look again.

Found something that almost made me sh*t my pants. I'm 99% sure I am missing the top nut on not just the right... but both coilovers. This doesn't look right to me. I consider myself an avid home mechanic. I bought the truck in March with the kit already installed, and looking at the instructions and diagrams. It's embarrassing I could miss something like this:redface:, let alone the shop.:suspicious::dizzy:

1. So, can someone confirm I am missing at least the top nut??

2. What else may have been damaged over the past 25k miles that this would put stress on? What else should I should inspect?

3. Could this also explain the rough ride I've been experiencing/loss control?


About 10k of the 25k miles I've driven since march have been on rough logging roads.


Thanks in advance,

happy holidays and wheeeling

 

[hearno]

Ooh... you have issues. You're not the only one.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/172789-5100-problem.html

Who did the install?

 

[alunnrhue]

Ooh... you have issues. You're not the only one.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/172789-5100-problem.html

Who did the install?

MMMMM god :rant::rant::rant:.Rabbble rabbbble rabbble.

So it looks like I'm going to need a new shock strut top nut, washer, bushing, top hat, and bushing? (in order from top to bottom) Or can I get away with a new nut, straighten it out, and tighten back down?

Not sure who did the install, I'm going to text the previous owner. Either he did, or he paid someone. Problem is I flew down to Phoenix to buy it...I live in CO.


[MENTION=87016]Mikep.[/MENTION] or [MENTION=55855]zopperman[/MENTION] could you chime in with any advice from your similar experiences. Mine looks slightly different

 

[zopperman]

Looks exactly lol how mine was with xreas. A shop didn't replace the lower retaining ring. I wouldn't drive that until it is fixed. I'll post some pics of what mine looked like later but that is where I would start.

 

[wnelax04sr5]

what zak said. park that until you can get it fixed

 

[zopperman]

top hats



shock shaft

 

[alunnrhue]

Looks exactly lol how mine was with xreas. A shop didn't replace the lower retaining ring. I wouldn't drive that until it is fixed. I'll post some pics of what mine looked like later but that is where I would start.

Zak, did you end up replacing the whole coilovers? Just new retaining ring? Advice on plan of attack?

After xmas, not money I wanted to spend haha, but for peace of mind and time. I'll just pull the trigger and do it myself.

what zak said. park that until you can get it fixed

It is definitely parked now. Little unnerving considering I've made 2 cross country trips to the north woods of Maine. I feel very lucky it's stil sitting out front

 

[zopperman]

Zak, did you end up replacing the whole coilovers? Just new retaining ring? Advice on plan of attack?

After xmas, not money I wanted to spend haha, but for peace of mind and time. I'll just pull the trigger and do it myself.



It is definitely parked now. Little unnerving considering I've made 2 cross country trips to the north woods of Maine. I feel very lucky it's stil sitting out front

You can replace the top hat (definitely) and add the retainer and set the shock up properly. I would replace the shock as well. The spring is probably fine.

 

[Range]

FU*K!!!! I just looked at mine which was installed by 4Wheel Parts in Vegas and I'm missing the lower washer as well. Although mine is pretty well aligned and doesnt look that bad or does it? Middle picture is the left side, right picture is the right side.

 

[alunnrhue]

You can replace the top hat (definitely) and add the retainer and set the shock up properly. I would replace the shock as well. The spring is probably fine.

Thanks for the help. Ordered new top hats, and a bushing kit from toytec. Found a DIY shop to rent a warm space in a few days. It's frigid. Also ordered sway bar bushings.

Any other things I should check out/replace while Im in there?

FU*K!!!! I just looked at mine which was installed by 4Wheel Parts in Vegas and I'm missing the lower washer as well. Although mine is pretty well aligned and doesnt look that bad or does it? Middle picture is the left side, right picture is the right side.

Looks like you are starting to have some vertical play. I would definitely take it back to them that looks like a similar situation but not too bad yet.

 

[Range]

Thanks for the help alunnrhue. If there is anything wrong do you think I can hold those guys accountable? I have all the paperwork from every install they have done.

 

[alunnrhue]

Thanks for the help alunnrhue. If there is anything wrong do you think I can hold those guys accountable? I have all the paperwork from every install they have done.

Yes I definitely would hold them accountable. Even their white paint is still lined up on the top threads of the screws. So you could point that out if they try and say you did something.

 

[Range]

Im so happy there are so many guys on this board that can point out little details like that (white paint). Glad I stumbled upon this thread in the first place.