shocks brake dive fix

[dieselndixie]

So the wife is now driving the 2001 2wd Limited. She is complaining about the "front brake dive"

How hard is it for me to replace all the shocks/springs? I havent done much work on this 4runner...but I have experience with wrenching on my k5 blazer.

Can I just buy these package deals that have the springs and shocks together?

a how to or write up would really help me.

 

[A.Wilson013]

If you have experience wrenching on anything, the shocks should not be any challenge at all, really. If you hit the search but at the top I am sure you will find MANY helpful threads on exactly what you need to do, and probably even some product reviews from users who have done the same.

Good luck!

Edit**

Check out these threads for some good info!


Some good research


Install info

 

[dieselndixie]

any reason not to do this...the fronts are pre assembled. I need quick, easy, and cheapish....this is not my toy just needs to drive well for the wife to stop whining.

Quick Strut
Monroe Quick Strut
Part No: 171351L
$135.99
Add'l Discount: -$20.40
$115.59

Buy Monroe Quick Strut 171351L at Advance Auto Parts

Quick Strut
Monroe Quick Strut
Part No: 171351R
$135.99
Add'l Discount: -$20.40
$115.59

Buy Monroe Quick Strut 171351R at Advance Auto Parts

(2)Sensa-Trac Light Truck Shock Absorber
Monroe Sensa-Trac Light Truck Shock Absorber
Part No: 37157
Sensa-Trac Shock Absorber; Rear
$43.99
Add'l Discount: -$13.19
$74.79

Buy Monroe Sensa-Trac Light Truck Shock Absorber 37157 at Advance Auto Parts

anything else needed?

 

[RunninOnBlue]

any reason not to do this...the fronts are pre assembled. I need quick, easy, and cheapish....this is not my toy just needs to drive well for the wife to stop whining.

Quick Strut
Monroe Quick Strut
Part No: 171351L
$135.99
Add'l Discount: -$20.40
$115.59

Buy Monroe Quick Strut 171351L at Advance Auto Parts

Quick Strut
Monroe Quick Strut
Part No: 171351R
$135.99
Add'l Discount: -$20.40
$115.59

Buy Monroe Quick Strut 171351R at Advance Auto Parts

(2)Sensa-Trac Light Truck Shock Absorber
Monroe Sensa-Trac Light Truck Shock Absorber
Part No: 37157
Sensa-Trac Shock Absorber; Rear
$43.99
Add'l Discount: -$13.19
$74.79

Buy Monroe Sensa-Trac Light Truck Shock Absorber 37157 at Advance Auto Parts

anything else needed?

I would offer this tip: Break your order into 2 orders. One front and one rear in each order. They will be over $150. Use the code "VISA" and save $50 off each order. (Must pay by VISA) Then the total will be 129.98 per order = $259.96.:thumb3: $45 for beer...:beer:

I think these components will be fine for a daily driver.

 

[dieselndixie]

I like the way you think.....thx

edit - i just ordered it! thanks again for the extra $45. install should be easy.....right?

 

[traffic61]

I installed a set of the pre-assembled units last year and they went on smoothly. A lot quicker than the previous times when I just changed struts and re-used the old springs. My son and I had them on in an hour or two of leisurely paced wrenching. They did lift the front end of my daily '97 Limited 2WD a little bit. After about 180K miles, the old ones were a bit weaker than their younger days.Just need to get off my lazy butt and replace the rear springs now to even things out.

 

[RunninOnBlue]

I like the way you think.....thx

edit - i just ordered it! thanks again for the extra $45. install should be easy.....right?

I had to use a reciprocating saw (sawzall) on the rear shocks. If you can't get the top nut off easily, just sawall the top of the shock through the rubber bushings. It sounds crazy, but it takes only 5 minutes and then the install is cake. You'll be fine...and save a lot over having someone else do it.:cheers:

 

[dieselndixie]

It doesnt take much to get me to bust out the reciprocating saw. :ak472:

 

[legokcen]

I had to use a reciprocating saw (sawzall) on the rear shocks. If you can't get the top nut off easily, just sawall the top of the shock through the rubber bushings. It sounds crazy, but it takes only 5 minutes and then the install is cake. You'll be fine...and save a lot over having someone else do it.:cheers:

It will also save you a lot of profanity. It did me anyway....

 

[cj80cruiser]

Your nose dive could be your front shocks or it could be the rear drums need adjusting, putting all the braking force on your front discs. While new shocks won't hurt it may not totally cure your nose dive. Hopefully shocks are the answer

 

[Trub]

I just put those exact ones on my 97 4WD and they made a big difference over the worn out front struts. There's also a $50 mail-in rebate on the purchase of 2 Quick Struts.

 

[Nelsonmd]

Your nose dive could be your front shocks or it could be the rear drums need adjusting, putting all the braking force on your front discs. While new shocks won't hurt it may not totally cure your nose dive. Hopefully shocks are the answer

Wise words here.... Adjusting the drums is free. Do that first and see how much it helps. Made a pretty big difference for me.

 

[dieselndixie]

got a link to the adjustment process? this 4runner is pretty new to me.

 

[JohnsD90]

Please don't buy monroe shocks and struts, they are crap, use the coupon codes and get some ranchos for the rear and KYB's for the front, yes it's a little more, but you don't need to get new front springs, the shocks are plenty good for the front, it'll be like $50 to get them assembled and it's so worth it, plus the KYB struts and Rancho shocks have a lifetime warrenty...

 

[Nelsonmd]

got a link to the adjustment process? this 4runner is pretty new to me.

Not on me. Search for it, I'm sure it's out there. Start with the tutorial and document reference sticky, you can probably link to it from there.

 

[Trub]

Please don't buy monroe shocks and struts, they are crap, use the coupon codes and get some ranchos for the rear and KYB's for the front, yes it's a little more, but you don't need to get new front springs, the shocks are plenty good for the front, it'll be like $50 to get them assembled and it's so worth it, plus the KYB struts and Rancho shocks have a lifetime warrenty...

You know Ranchos are made by Monroe right? I've used the Sensa-Trac line of shocks for many many years without an issue.

 

[dieselndixie]

got all the shocks in, and started looking under the truck to get an idea what I am up against. looks pretty straight forward.

i did some research on adjusting the rear drums....i tried rolling backwards i nreverse and pulling up the e brake like 25 times...didnt work very well. made me realize my e brake doesnt work either!

took some pics of the rears, can you see anything? how do I adjust the ebrake? is it possible it needs new shoes? or just adjusting.

first 2 pics are of left, 2nd two are of the right

 

[chris360hawks]

All you do is pop off the little dust cover that is in between the brake fluid line and the top of the rear axle housing. You put a flat head screw driver in there and just spin the little ring gear inside. That will adjust them.

 

[madbomber08]

My experience of adjusting the rear brakes was a waste of time. I pulled the drum, adjusted the star wheel as far as it would go, and put the drum back on. I then used the pumping of the e-brake method to adjust the star wheel to set the shoes back into place against the inside of the drums. In the end, IF you have a working e-brake, they'll be in the same position as they were before.

 

[dieselndixie]

is there a reason the rear right has a bolt that is not touching, but the left side bolt is touching. Should I screw teh bolt until it touches the inside of the hub?