Rear shock replacement how-to?

[Axewhlder]

Well my RR shock decided to crack so it has to be replaced. I removed it with the bottom nut becaue it was banging on the chasis. This happened yesterday so I havent had a chance to get into looking how it's done.

How do you get to the top mounting points? Are they under the carpet/seat/trim? Just getting an idea before I start randomly tearing my interior apart. Dont want to ride on the spring only for longer than I have to.

Thanks.

 

[WrexHAmm]

Use the search function. This topic has been covered hundreds of times.

 

[SCRunner12]

The top mounting bolt is under the body. It's not in the cab at all. Just remove the spare tire and you will see where is bolted into. You will need a deep socket and the top bolt will most likely be rusted on or hard to remove. It's better to grab the shock and move it side to side to break that top stud off.

 

[Axewhlder]

Use the search function. This topic has been covered hundreds of times.

I DID use the search function. I searched "rear shock" and "shock replacement". Try that and tell me what you come up with. I also checked the sticky'd database at the top of this forum and there was nothing there either. I'll be honest and admit I didn't want to go through 11 pages of possible results. I don't think most people would either.

I've been an admin on a different car forum for years. I know it gets annoying when noobs ask questions over and over. However it sure doesn't help anything but your post count by saying "search it's been covered". Why not spend your time and answer the question if you know it? You already took the time to post why not just be helpful?

SCRunner -
Thank you for the help.

 

[SCRunner12]

No problem. I think WrexHamm made that comment because a google search of "3rd gen 4runner rear shock removal" produced a ton of results. I will admit that the search function on this forum is not very accurate and will bring up a lot of irrelevant threads. I always search through google or the google search bar at the top of this forum, before I use the search function.

Good luck with the removal and since it is already broken just break the stud. it will be a lot easier.

 

[JohnsD90]

If you are going to throw it out, then just cut the shock right below the top mounting point.

 

[JayRolla]

It can be a PITA to get those rear shocks out. Like stated get a deep socked on top and wedge it against the body. Then take a pair of channel locks (only if you dont care to damage shock) and grab the entire shock. It will bend flat and give you something to get leverage and break the bolt loose, or it will break off. I didnt have anything to cut it off at the time so thats what I had to do. One side I actually broke free with just my hands. Good luck!

 

[bootown]

Since your shock is not getting reused just bend it back and forth until it snaps at the top. Easiest way imo.

 

[Axewhlder]

Breaking them is fine by me. They're very old (and shot) shocks. As long as the new ones go on easy I don't mind a little destruction.

Thanks again guys.

 

[TheDurk]

It can be a PITA to get those rear shocks out. Like stated get a deep socked on top and wedge it against the body. Then take a pair of channel locks (only if you dont care to damage shock) and grab the entire shock. It will bend flat and give you something to get leverage and break the bolt loose, or it will break off. I didnt have anything to cut it off at the time so thats what I had to do. One side I actually broke free with just my hands. Good luck!

I had a Sawzall ready to go. This way was faster.

 

[WrexHAmm]

I DID use the search function. I searched "rear shock" and "shock replacement". Try that and tell me what you come up with. I also checked the sticky'd database at the top of this forum and there was nothing there either. I'll be honest and admit I didn't want to go through 11 pages of possible results. I don't think most people would either.

I've been an admin on a different car forum for years. I know it gets annoying when noobs ask questions over and over. However it sure doesn't help anything but your post count by saying "search it's been covered". Why not spend your time and answer the question if you know it? You already took the time to post why not just be helpful?

SCRunner -

I did one search and found the answer on the first page. Try searching for more than just two things and you might yield better results.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/108716-pleeeasse-shine-some-light-rear-shock-coil-removal.html

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/81123-removing-rear-shock.html

If you don't want to look through 11 pages of info to find what you are looking for then don't. Just don't get pissed when you get a response that says use the search function, that's what it's there for, and do a little research for yourself. SCRunner even searched for it and was kind enough to tell you the answer. It's there to make "noobs" actually do a little effort rather than posting new threads every time they need an answer. If the search function wasn't there and the topic is new I'd be happy to answer the question but this has been covered... many times. Otherwise the forum is going to just be flooded with the same question over and over with the response "Why not spend your time and answer the question if you know it? You already took the time to post why not just be helpful?", because sometimes you might have to do a little work to find what you are looking for and not take the easy route.

And yes, with the amount of time I spent writing this and finding the links I could have easily answered your question and moved on but I would much prefer to do it this way

 

[JayRolla]

I did one search and found the answer on the first page. Try searching for more than just two things and you might yield better results.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/108716-pleeeasse-shine-some-light-rear-shock-coil-removal.html

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/81123-removing-rear-shock.html

If you don't want to look through 11 pages of info to find what you are looking for then don't. Just don't get pissed when you get a response that says use the search function, that's what it's there for, and do a little research for yourself. SCRunner even searched for it and was kind enough to tell you the answer. It's there to make "noobs" actually do a little effort rather than posting new threads every time they need an answer. If the search function wasn't there and the topic is new I'd be happy to answer the question but this has been covered... many times. Otherwise the forum is going to just be flooded with the same question over and over with the response "Why not spend your time and answer the question if you know it? You already took the time to post why not just be helpful?", because sometimes you might have to do a little work to find what you are looking for and not take the easy route.

And yes, with the amount of time I spent writing this and finding the links I could have easily answered your question and moved on but I would much prefer to do it this way

Forums are already flooded with the same questions. It doesnt madder how much you tell people to search it wont help. Its a never ending battle that you cant win. The question and thread is already here so why not answer it for him instead of everyone being jerks. I dont understand why people are so mean when hes just asking a simple question. If everyone searched. There would be no threads. These vehicles are 10+ years old and its all been asked and answered. These threads would be dead and no one would post. If anything it helps the forums out since it spreads more ad's which pays the bills.

 

[hungryeddy]

Forums are already flooded with the same questions. It doesnt madder how much you tell people to search it wont help. Its a never ending battle that you cant win. The question and thread is already here so why not answer it for him instead of everyone being jerks. I dont understand why people are so mean when hes just asking a simple question. If everyone searched. There would be no threads. These vehicles are 10+ years old and its all been asked and answered. These threads would be dead and no one would post. If anything it helps the forums out since it spreads more ad's which pays the bills.

x2 on this... this is why i'm on t4r and not yotatech. too much policing over there...

bend the shock back and forth till it breaks. took about 30-45 seconds per side on mine... probably less then 10 bends back and fourth.

 

[WrexHAmm]

Forums are already flooded with the same questions. It doesnt madder how much you tell people to search it wont help. Its a never ending battle that you cant win. The question and thread is already here so why not answer it for him instead of everyone being jerks. I dont understand why people are so mean when hes just asking a simple question. If everyone searched. There would be no threads. These vehicles are 10+ years old and its all been asked and answered. These threads would be dead and no one would post. If anything it helps the forums out since it spreads more ad's which pays the bills.

How was saying use the search function being a jerk? I don't believe anything I said in my original post was out of line or rude. The OP posted a question, I posted an solution to the question. Search for it, it's been covered. At no point was it even mentioned in the first post that a search had been done, or even attempted. In fact the OP actually said "This happened yesterday so I havent had a chance to get into looking how it's done." A comment like this makes you think that the OP has not taken any effort to find a solution thus use the search function and maybe you could find a solution before posting to ask what is the solution.

My later response was in response to the OP later post to my original comment. I was not rude until a response was warranted.

 

[Killa-Cotton]

And yes, with the amount of time I spent writing this and finding the links I could have easily answered your question and moved on but I would much prefer to do it this way

Perhaps you should go back and read your posts when you were a "noob". They're full of questions. The way I see it, If you don't want to help then don't. No one likes SA though. Just sayin'

 

[WrexHAmm]

And guess what?! Some of the answers to my questions were.... wait for it... wait for it, use the search function! The reason I was a SA was because of the response that I received from the original poster.

I DID use the search function. I searched "rear shock" and "shock replacement". Try that and tell me what you come up with. I also checked the sticky'd database at the top of this forum and there was nothing there either. I'll be honest and admit I didn't want to go through 11 pages of possible results. I don't think most people would either.

I've been an admin on a different car forum for years. I know it gets annoying when noobs ask questions over and over. However it sure doesn't help anything but your post count by saying "search it's been covered". Why not spend your time and answer the question if you know it? You already took the time to post why not just be helpful?

Why I am getting flamed for responding to a response like this? Everybody seems so quick to jump down my throat because I responded back. The search function response had been used countless times and nobody seems to have an issue in those threads but because I responded to the op remarks I seem to be the a**hole.

I've actually made it a point on several of my posts to note that I attempted the search function and failed in my op. Not posting that "I didn't feel like looking through the 11 pages" nor "that I did not have a chance to look into the solution" like our op in this thread. Thus this is why I am asking for help, not shooting blindly with my original post.

Either way I am done with this thread. If you don't like my response I don't care.

 

[Millerad1651]

To get back on subject, I'd use a sawzall. I tried bending mine back and forth and fluid starting spraying everywhere. Not a huge deal, but a little messy. Plus I still had to end up cutting. It took about 30 seconds with the sawzall after that. The top bolt was so rusted it all looked like one piece.

 

[Itsa98]

Not sure how you guys busted them off since the rubber spacers give too much play. I jumped on the bandwagon and used a sawzall. Good call, whoever posted that. I used a lot of four letter words before discovering this post.

 

[TheDurk]

Not sure how you guys busted them off since the rubber spacers give too much play. I jumped on the bandwagon and used a sawzall. Good call, whoever posted that. I used a lot of four letter words before discovering this post.

If you have a wrench on the top nut and ChannelLocks on the steel boot, it doesn't matter how much play is in the rubber. You could snap it if it was off the truck. The key is to rotate it against the wrench, not bend it back and forth. I still say it is much easier than SawzAll--if you have a steel boot like on the stockers.

 

[uncleslam23]

Finally I get to contribute! So I just replace my rears last weekend and like everyone else said, it was a pain in the ass. I don't own a sawzall, and the space was too small to get any sort of hacksaw in there....plus that would have sucked anyways. After hours of messing with it I ran up to home depot and picked up a pair of pliers(my vice grips just weren't cutting it) that were large enough to get around the dust boot. Then I just put a socket on the top nut and used the pliers to grab onto the boot. Once you get a good squeeze on them they'll bend and really give you something to bite onto. Then it only took one good pull to loosen the nut. That whole process only took about 2 minutes.

I guess your method probably depends on what tools you have available. Good luck my man