Space on the top of my shock

[HustleHard]

Hey guys

Put in some Bilsteins yesterday and got a clunk on my way home from the shop i put them in at. Looked at the suspension and saw this on the right side (left side is snug, no clunking). What am I missing here? Seems like I'm missing a rubber spacer of some sort, but I don't know where it would be. Thanks for any help. Sorry the pics are sideways, Tinypic automatically did it.

 

[wnelax04sr5]

looks like a bushing is missing, it goes under the top mount

 

[ebg18t]

The top was not assembled properly. There are washers and bushings that must go in the proper order. It's not rocket science, but the shop that assembled them failed.

 

[having fun]

That top wrap of the coil looks like it took a serious beating.
Did someone abuse it.

 

[ebg18t]

Looks like your missing the washer below the hat (part 48510B): FRONT SPRING & SHOCK ABSORBER. Fits: 2006 TOYOTA 4Runner SR-5 4000CC 24-VALVE DOHC EFI, AUTOMATIC 5-SPEED | Village Toyota Parts

 

[HustleHard]

Alright sounds like I've gotta fix it. I'll track down the bushings. Think i can get away with leaving everything hooked up and using a spring compress to compress the spring, taking the top nut off, slide the shock down, add the bushing, then putting it all back together? I'll keep everything supported with a jack to make sure nothing drops. Or does anyone have a better way that doesn't involve tearing everything apart again.

 

[yosh2000]

there is a no spring compressor method of installing shocks. here is a vid
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vkVLBOnAifc

there is also another thread explaining this i believe

 

[having fun]

Just take the bolts out from the LCA and the knuckle and the top and
Lower bolt to strut. You can take a pry bar and push down on the LCA, this will give you enough room to remove the assemble.
Do a search on this procedure.

Edit... Same procedure as above.

 

[Rocketdog]

Just went through a similar situation on the girlfriends '05 limited. Someone installed the shock and left out the lower washer that fits under the top mount. It ended up ruining the underside of the mount. Ended up replacing it a Monroe Quick Strut. You do not have to use a spring compressor to remove the strut assembly. Simply jack the vehicle up and place on jackstands. Place a floor jack under the lower control arm, Loosen and remove the two bolts under the lower ball joint, loosen and remove the nut on the top of the strut rod and Slowly lower the jack. This will relieve tension on the spring. Next, remove the lower shock mounting bolt. Loosen the lower control arm mounting bolts. You should be able to swing the arm out far enough to remove the strut. Be sure first to mark the eccentric adjusters with a sharpie so you can return them to their original spot. The top mounting bushing stays bolted with three bolts unless you want to remove it and inspect it.
Here's a couple of links to show how to do it.....
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5E6u7dC7EHg#t=85

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jo0FJSi-KYs

 

[HustleHard]

Awesome, thanks for the advice guys. How long does it take to ruin the mount? I drove the truck 20 mins on highway from the shop and will be driving it 20 mins highway to a buddies shop. Think it'll still be good or is it already shot?

 

[Rocketdog]

Awesome, thanks for the advice guys. How long does it take to ruin the mount? I drove the truck 20 mins on highway from the shop and will be driving it 20 mins highway to a buddies shop. Think it'll still be good or is it already shot?

You should be OK. You might want to remove the upper mount and inspect the underside where the molded in rubber bushing resides. Check it for any tears or splits. Make sure the hole in the mount is not oblonged.