I have a 2000 SR5 4WD. One if my rear shocks just broke at the top. I need to replace them both. Does anyone know if there is step-by-step instructions on this site for replacing them. My biggest concern is that I dont see any top access to the shocks, it tore apart my entire cargo area and nothing. Can someone please help, I am mechanically inclined but never did suspension work. PLEASE HELP, any advice is appreciated, PICTURES would be best. THANK YOU IN ADVANCE.
Rear shocks
- Thread starter skorpion
- Start date
Register to hide this ad
Only access is from the bottom and it's all by feel. When I installed my lift I used a ratchet and socket and had a buddy hold it while I turned the shock itself. Use a lot of lube on the nut, just put the straw on the tip and spray. Also removing the wheel will help. Hope this helps
Duhockey
Senior Member
what do you mean by it tore your cargo area apart??
I just recently did mine and i found it easiest to set a deep socket on top of the shock nut against the frame rail and use a pair of channel locks to loose the shock tube itself (at the very top, the shock tube wont just bend).
But then again I'm in southern California, and with 190K miles on original suspension, everything is rust free, and pretty easy to remove.
But then again I'm in southern California, and with 190K miles on original suspension, everything is rust free, and pretty easy to remove.
juiceboxer
New member
Probably Meant "I" as in I tore apart the cargo area looking for an access hatch to the shock bolt. I wish there was an access hatch, that would be nice.
I put a socket on the top nut, cut off the dust shield and turned the shock shaft with vice grips. Takes forever but it works...
I put a socket on the top nut, cut off the dust shield and turned the shock shaft with vice grips. Takes forever but it works...
JohnsD90
New member
I got really pissed midway through trying to remove rusted bolts, so i went inside got my 11 amp Porter-Cable sawzill and cut the shaft of the shock right below the mount, and it came right out, i found that to be the easiest way to remove them. The install wasn't bad at all.
*Diclaimer- I was recommended by a toyota tech not to do this, it worked great with no reprocautions, perform at your own risk.
*Diclaimer- I was recommended by a toyota tech not to do this, it worked great with no reprocautions, perform at your own risk.
Last edited:
Ghostrider
Registered User
There are various ways to get to the top nut - none of them easy. I soaked mine for two days with PB Blaster and then "locked" a deep well socket on them and pushed it against the frame. I then used the destructive method of a pipe wrench on the body. Hopefully you didn't mean the broken shock tore apart the cargo area but I could see that happening. I don't know if it will help but, for future use, I put a piece of surgical tubing on the trheads. May be it will keep water out. I have said this before but Toyota engineers really need a class in common sense. Someone should force the engineers to actually do maintenance on their designs. An open ended shock top (like the bottom) would have solved this easily. I have also found numerous other
things like this - some of them could have been fixed with a ten cent bolt instead of what Toyota decided.
things like this - some of them could have been fixed with a ten cent bolt instead of what Toyota decided.
juiceboxer
New member
The shock is going to be replaced, who cares if you damage the shaft?
JohnsD90
New member
He probably meant the new one, and ya it doesnt matter if you F up the old one.
juiceboxer
New member
That makes a little more sense, the new ones are easy to put in though 
trd_4runnin
New member
Kind of surprised I haven't heard more people mention the sawsall method. A while back this was about what everyone recommended. Use a sawsall and cut the shock right up by the mount and that should make it pretty simple from there.
JohnsD90
New member
I never heard of anyone else doing it.
TheDurk
Elite Member
Last edited:
trd_4runnin
New member
That's even more surprising since you have posted in nearly every thread in the 3rd gen section since you joined 6 months ago.
JohnsD90
New member
I know. Weird huh?
Thank you for all the input. Yes I tore apart the cargo area, just to clarify. The one that was broken was easy. The other one was more painful since it was on the side of the gas tank. I cut it part of the way using cordless tools but it was a tough piece of metal and batteries were dying. So, at one point I grabbed the shock and rocked it back and forth it he top bolt snapped, after that piece of cake.
Thank you all for your help.
Thank you all for your help.
Ghostrider
Registered User
Glad it worked out. I believe I have used the "I'm not coming out from under this truck without it" philosophy of repair a few time myself.
