removing rear shocks 95 t4r

[Savage]

I have had the awfullest time trying to get my rear shocks off for replacement. Anyone know any tricks to getting that dam nut loose up top without the shock turning and without buggering up the nut? I thought about just taking a cutoff wheel and cutting the outside shock casing off so I can get to the piston but if there is an easier way lay it on me...thanks

 

[Nervo19]

You probably already found this:

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/68302-rear-shock-removal-tip.html

I need to do this soon.

 

[99blackSE]

Big pipe wrench to hold the shock casing (as it will move on you right as you try and turn the nut on top?) and socket on the nut.

 

[OffroadJunglist]

Hey!
I had to change the shocks of my '91 one week ago.
I held the upper end of the thread rod with a pipe wrench and loosened the nut with a normal open-end spanner. After the first few pulls it was loose and went down easier with not much counterforce.
But in my case it was easy to hand to the nut, because I have a 4" Bodylift in. I don't know how difficult it is to reach the nut on a stock Runner...

greetz

 

[outdoor girl]

installing right rear shock on 06 4runner

Hey, I probably won't have the proper auto lingo, but my husband did our shock after getting a bid that made us both sick. It took him 30 minutes to do the job. That nut at the top gave him trouble, too, so he cut the inside of the wheel well (he said it was not load bearing or wouldn't hurt the vehicle) and then after he was done, used jbweld or something like that, to seal up the slit. He said Toyota originally installed the shocks at the factory, then set the chassey on top, so it would be impossible to get to that, without cutting it. Hope this helps. If you need more info, I can have him with me, when I type out my answer.

 

[mpr3209]

Another technique

I did my front and rear shocks this past week (1998 SR5). Oh, Daddy! what a freakin' hassle! Got it done with the help of a friend who is a pretty solid mechanic, but it was ugly. caution: To do the front, lots of cursing and a good sense of humor are required.

Niether the front or the rear shocks had never been changed on my truck so the bolts were rusted on tight. The rear nut on the damper rod was next to impossible to get to so after screwing with it forever I finally admitted defeat and used an angle grinder with a cutting wheel to cut through the washer and the rubber bushing at the top of the shock! Once I was able to get the washer and the bushing out of the way I was able to cut through the shock rod and push therod up through the opening. After getting the old rear shocks off, installation of the new one was easy. I simply held the new nut in place with a box end wrench and turned the shock body to tighten the nut.

The front shocks were a whole different ball game since you have to use 2 spring compressors and lots of little tricks to get the job done. If anyone wants info on doing the front, Let me know, I'll be glad to share how we got it done (after considerable trial and error!). :cheers:

 

[TopElement]

I just used my air ratchet with deep socket for the top nut of the rear shocks. If the piston shaft turns, just hold with pliers since you'll be throwing them away.

 

[Jabo]

when I did my lift i had to hold the shaft with a pair of channel locks and used a ratchet wrench to loosen the nut up.I had the tires and wheels off of the runner when mine was done which made it simple had both sides done in about 15 min.