Shock installation help needed ...

[JonK]

Ok, am in the process of installing Bilstein (standard HD) front shocks on my 2000 4Runner SR5. Most of the installation has gone without a hitch but have been run into a major problem. I am not able to install the top rubber bushing, metal plate and nut ... the top of the shock just does not seem long enough and I'm unable to catch any threads. Any suggestions? Need to fix this since the truck is not drivable the way it currently is.

Thanks,
Jon

 

[bgmac]

You have to compress the springs!!!

 

[JonK]

bgmac ... thanks for your response. Am following these instructions:

OME Install - no spring compressor - Toyota 120 Platforms Forum

Did try to compress springs and that doesn't seem to help. I do have a call into Bilstein but they haven't gotten back to me. Worse case, I will trhough old shock back in.

 

[bgmac]

Are you sure you do not have the spring seats in upside down?

 

[JonK]

bgmac ... positive, I checked that and even tried to see if I could seat the shock without the spring on. I do think I figured it out though ... shocks I took off were not OEM and I believe the bushings that they came with were much bigger than OEM. The Bilsteins do not come with new bushings so I tried to use the ones that I took off. Am going to see if I can locate a set of OEM bushings and give that a go. In the meantime I put the old shock back in (seated easily).

Thanks again for your help.

 

[bgmac]

Ok, if you need to get a hold of me just send me a pm.