Some Help For The Family Please

[Maz]

I normally lurk or post on the 5th Gen site, but need some advise to help our daughter in law.

She has a 1996 SR5 4WD, that needed brake work. Our regular mechanic of 20+ years found the brakes themselves were fine, but the rig was badly in need of new hoses. Now the brakes work great, but while up on the rack the mechanic noticed the front shocks were leaking badly.

The problem is to replace them (with Toyota parts I'm sure), parts and labor is being quoted as $525. Even with our help that's out of the budget for now. By chance do any of you know of a reliable replacement strut that might only be an arm, as opposed to an arm and a leg?

Thanks in advance for any help.

 

[jhuerta22]

http://www.amazon.com/RCD-F4-BE5-F3...bs_263_15?ie=UTF8&refRID=1NR6X4PG0VX1F3QF6K88

I had these on my 4Runner before upgrading to Tundra coils. They ride pretty nice, but they don't come with new bushings and washers.

http://www.amazon.com/KYB-564002-Mo...sbs_263_1?ie=UTF8&refRID=02WJ49K37SFSA00JH590

I run KYB shocks on my Camaro and it handles pretty nicely. Firmer than stock, but handles well. Plus they won't break your budget.

 

[psraff]

I normally lurk or post on the 5th Gen site, but need some advise to help our daughter in law.

She has a 1996 SR5 4WD, that needed brake work. Our regular mechanic of 20+ years found the brakes themselves were fine, but the rig was badly in need of new hoses. Now the brakes work great, but while up on the rack the mechanic noticed the front shocks were leaking badly.

The problem is to replace them (with Toyota parts I'm sure), parts and labor is being quoted as $525. Even with our help that's out of the budget for now. By chance do any of you know of a reliable replacement strut that might only be an arm, as opposed to an arm and a leg?

Thanks in advance for any help.

I still have my original '99 spring and strut assembled on the shelf. I would send them to you, but being up in Alaska, I'm sure the cost for shipping wouldn't be worth it.... Plus with that setup you would have a reverse rake going on. Unless you wanted the rear springs as well, but again.... Shipping and you're on a budget.

If interested, I'll try to see what shipping would be.

 

[SCRunner12]

Where on the west coast are you? Some members might be wiling to help with the install to keep the prices down. New brake lines are easy, as well as shocks.

 

[Maz]

I still have my original '99 spring and strut assembled on the shelf. I would send them to you, but being up in Alaska, I'm sure the cost for shipping wouldn't be worth it....

Thanks for the great offer praff, but unfortunately I think you're right on the shipping being a killer.

 

[Maz]

Where on the west coast are you? Some members might be wiling to help with the install to keep the prices down. New brake lines are easy, as well as shocks.

Runner obviously I was unclear. I simply couldn't let her drive without reliable stopping power. The hoses have already been replaced, the lines bleed and adjusted, and the parking brake reset. They did a great job, and everything works perfectly now on the brakes.

The next item of business are the tires -- which are only slightly less unsafe -- then the struts. We're in the beach area of Orange County, and I've met some great people at the In & Out get togethers in Lake Forest.

 

[Maz]

http://www.amazon.com/RCD-F4-BE5-F3...bs_263_15?ie=UTF8&refRID=1NR6X4PG0VX1F3QF6K88

I had these on my 4Runner before upgrading to Tundra coils. They ride pretty nice, but they don't come with new bushings and washers.

http://www.amazon.com/KYB-564002-Mo...sbs_263_1?ie=UTF8&refRID=02WJ49K37SFSA00JH590

I run KYB shocks on my Camaro and it handles pretty nicely. Firmer than stock, but handles well. Plus they won't break your budget.

Thank you very much for the links jhuerta. The KYB's will fit according to the link, and they look very interesting. One important question as I know nothing about suspension. Is everything included, or do you have to buy additional items?

 

[jhuerta22]

Thank you very much for the links jhuerta. The KYB's will fit according to the link, and they look very interesting. One important question as I know nothing about suspension. Is everything included, or do you have to buy additional items?

When I bought the KYB shocks for my Camaro, they came with the hardware, but you might want to ask the seller just to be safe.