Rear Coil Replacement

[knothead]

Do I need to remove the panhard bar to drop the axle far enough to replace the rear coils on a 01 4runner. Is there a post with pictures (I only get it for the articles) of the replacement.

Thanks

 

[98OzarksRunner]

Yes. Should be several 'how to's' or build threads that show it. I used the bottle jack to push the axle down enough to get the spring out/in. Be sure to put a floor jack or something under the pumpkin to support it so you don't stretch the brake line too much.

 

[the great him]

you do not need to drop the panhard bar to remove the coils, just do one side at a time. you will need to undo the shocks and sway bar though

 

[Diesel_Dog]

you do not need to drop the panhard bar to remove the coils, just do one side at a time. you will need to undo the shocks and sway bar though

^this. There is a write up on the Sonoran steel website in his tech articles.

 

[the great him]

you do not need to drop the panhard bar to remove the coils, just do one side at a time. you will need to undo the shocks and sway bar though

 

[WrexHAmm]

Honestly you can do it either way. I changed out the rear by not removing the panhard and then I also did it by removing the panhard. If you have the choice don't remove it. It's just another part to re-attach when you assemble everything.

 

[knothead]

Honestly you can do it either way. I changed out the rear by not removing the panhard and then I also did it by removing the panhard. If you have the choice don't remove it. It's just another part to re-attach when you assemble everything.

Given the choice it is a no brainer. Thanks everyone.

 

[LittleCaesar]

No. But watch that you don't stretch the rear flexible brake line beyond its capacity.

 

[JayRolla]

I jack up one side to push the other down, then if I still cant fit it, I have someone stand on the hub to lower it enough to fit the springs.

 

[tee-bone]

sorta repeating the theme here, and I guess it would matter which springs you were putting in, but I stacked a few 2x scraps under the rear diff pumpkin, then lifted the opposite side. I got it close enough that I just had to lean down a little on the side I was installing, and it slipped in. These were just '99 tall coils, though; it might take a little more oomph if you are installing a 3" lift, but I still think it is doable. Having said that, my floor jack died just before I did this install, forcing me to use the 4runner's bottle jack - so it might be even easier than I experienced.

 

[AlpineCoder]

I just switched my rear coils from 906s to 890s (2" to 3" of lift) on my 01, and I didn't have to remove the panhard bar on either install (I actually didn't even need to undo my shocks for the 890s, but I have Bilstein 5125s that are significantly longer than stock shocks). That said, I used some spring compressors to put in the 890s and it made the job a lot easier (I didn't use spring compressors when I put the 906s in, and I had to push / prod / pry them into place even after dropping the axle to the end of the brake lines). I'd say if you have access to some spring compressors (most auto parts shops will rent them basically for free) to have them on hand if needed.

If you are going to use spring compressors, be careful! That's the only job I've done on a vehicle where my fear wasn't messing something up and costing money or time, but rather severe injury or death. Those things can get scary amounts of tension in them.