PLEEEASSE shine some light on rear shock/coil removal

[Jc12]

I've read through evvvvery install write up and managed to still get myself stuck..

So first off.. removing the shocks, i have taken off one bolt on each shock at the bottom.. they wont budge, am i supposed to take off the bolt on the other side (it kind of looks like a rivet of some sort.. it is rounded) or is the one lower bolt on each shock good?

next. i have tried jacking up one side of the axle to remove the spring.. still not even close - i unbolted the sway bar, now i am wondering, do i need to unbolt these links? i tried on one and then the hooked end washer slid out of place and the bolt just turns without unthreading.. in the second photo you can just see the hooked end of the washer

 

[Jc12]

Haha since i have your attention.. one more question, to get to that painful bolt at the top of the shock do i need to have the springs out? I still cannot find where i can reach my hand up there to get a socket on the top of it, thanks!

 

[steezemcqueen]

There is no other bolt on the bottom mount for the shocks. You just need to pry the shocks off. Sometimes they are just really stuck on there.

To get the coils out, the shocks have to be off. Also, most of the time, you would just leave the sway bar connected on the axle and only disconnect the links from the frame.

Good luck!

 

[Tucson4runner]

Me and rockdawg cut the top of the shock near the bushing with a sawzaw. Worked very well.

 

[Socco]

Yeah, unless you have a body lift, it's pretty hard to get a hand up on top. Easiest thing to do is cut the shock piston close to the mount. Sawzall is fastest, hacksaw will do it too.

 

[Baja Runner]

Once you get that 17mm bolt off the bottom mount, just hit it with a hammer or mallet. Or just tug on it, it will come off.

The top mount requires a 14mm socket. I just use my craftsman 14mm" deep socket, with a 3/8" drive ratchet on top. Get it on the top nut, and wedge it against the frame, or body, then use your hands or a big pair of pliers to turn the upper shock body (its attached to the stud). Take a few deep breaths and just turn it... it should break free. If your having problems make sure you spray the crap out of the top nut/stud with PB blaster. I've never had to cut off a rear shock, but I don't live in the rust belt.

Once you get the shocks off, take off the swaybar endlink top nut in your photo. Your axle will then be able to drop realllllly far down, and your stock springs should literally fall out. If you don't have enough space to put in the new lift coils, then unbolt the lateral bar (panhard bar), and drop it down further.

 

[Jc12]

Okay thank you! you gave me the confidence to continue beating it with a hammer and prying at it and got both out.. i disconnected the ?bar? going from the axle up to the frame on both sides (running parallel with the truck) which allowed me to rip the springs out.. however i am not even clooooosse to getting these LC coils in.. i will unbolt the sway bar link at the top and hope that gets me closer (it is possible to get 7.5wraps in without a compressor right ? ) NOW the next issue, the shocks i got from the LC .. well the bolt on the top which i have to remove (the same one thats a PITA where you have to get at with small hands) is completelyyyy stripped.. any idea how i can get this off? Can a shop help me out maybe..

OH and here is one for fun to show how big of a genius i truly am.. i had to pound the lower bolt out with a screw driver.. and of course there is pressure soooo the screwdriver got jammed.. and it took me half an hour to rig up a bottle jack to relieve the pressure.. any other way of getting these bolts in and out smoothly?

 

[Baja Runner]

Hmmm... Top bolts on land cruiser shocks will be tough. Maybe a shop will figure it out? You realize you can buy new Landcruiser Tokico shocks for like $100 ?

For your front, once taking off the sway bar, they should have come out pretty easily. If not, use your bottle jack (or a friend) to push down the upper a-arm/spindle. That will give you enough slack to pull it out... and put in the new, longer lift struts.

 

[Jc12]

ya, last resort i buy new ones.. im just trying to have my truck up and running to get me to work come monday but if need be ill order some.. i just hate to give in all over one stubborn stripped nut, i never removed the front sway bar.. i did not see it, do i need to do this for re install? thanks

 

[Jc12]

Okay I am heading to canadian tire tomorrow morning and picking up a nut splitter.. and crossing my fingers this nut was on there goooood so this will be the best option since i wont have to break it loose after i grind new edges or take any of those routes

 

[catalina34]

I used a spring compressor on my 7.5 wraps to get them in. Even with the panhard bar off, rear sway bar off, and one side of the axle jacked up as high as I could get it I still needed the spring compressor to compress the springs about 3/4". Once I did that they went in easy.

 

[fightman80]

There's a method I've found that works wonders with rusted shock bolts/nuts.....

Take a wax candle, and a small propane torch.

Heat the threaded area and nut with the torch.

Touch the wax candle to the threads, (the wax will creep into the threads)

Try to fit a socket on the nut, if it's too stripped, use a pair of Vicegrips

Loosen the nut, if it doesn't work.....repeat.


I saved myself the trouble of having to replace my very rusted front struts when I did my spacer lift a few years ago.....and also helped my buddy do his coilovers on his Honda CRV......

Good luck man!

 

[tbst]

It would be easier to use jack stands from the frame. It looks like you are working against yourself in this picture.

 

[Jc12]

It would be easier to use jack stands from the frame. It looks like you are working against yourself in this picture.

haha this photo doesnt really describe the situation well but i see what you mean, the jack wasn't supporting the lower control arm.. but that is a good idea for next time, just lift the frame a little higher to pull it out

 

[twitchee2]

please tell me you didnt cut off the top shock mounting bracket?? It looks like you cut that off and not the stud on the stock? I hope i am wrong but thats what it looks like in the picture.

Nvm those are from the LC and are going into the 4runner. haha

 

[Jc12]

please tell me you didnt cut off the top shock mounting bracket?? It looks like you cut that off and not the stud on the stock? I hope i am wrong but thats what it looks like in the picture.

Nvm those are from the LC and are going into the 4runner. haha

HAhahahaha omg you scared me, my phone only showed me the first part of the message.. ya they are the LC shocks, i didnt cut anything so far.. i did snap the bolt at the washers (on accident) on the right rear shock which was a major relief .. i just got back from the shop and had my front coils put together ANNNdddd got them to remove the stripped nut I also picked up a hi lift for 45 bucks on sale at canadian tire and rented a spring compressor so i dont have to figure out new ways to drop my rear axle any further to slide the 7.5 wraps in

i CANNOT remove the nut on the link .. the bushings are too worn so it just spins and rotates around