Strange Front Suspension Issue- Broken upper coil bucket tower

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AUSig

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I started hearing some squeaking from my front drivers side suspension and saw that I have somehow broken my coil bucket tower. Pics -

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How does this happen?? Loose shock? I had the front suspension replaced with coils from a TRD Taco a couple years ago.

What would it take to repair this? How hard is it to replace the coil bucket tower?
 
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I don't know the fix but you gave me something to check on mine, I've been searching for the source of a front end squeak for a long time.
 
My best guess: the lower bushing wore out or broke up and allowed the shock shaft to stick up and rub on the tower for a while until you noticed the noise.
 
That is your upper strut mount. There is a bearing that moves when you turn your wheels. Bearing failed. If you need new struts, buy a set of quick struts and you are back in business. Quick struts have strut bearing and spring all assembled and ready to install. It is a good way to go if you do not have a strut compressor.
 
You broke the strut mount. It's not that strange. Easy fix, you'll need one of these. Local parts store should have them in stock, or you can get a good discount at RockAuto:

2004 TOYOTA 4RUNNER 4.7L V8 Strut Mount | RockAuto

MFreund said:
That is your upper strut mount. There is a bearing that moves when you turn your wheels. Bearing failed. If you need new struts, buy a set of quick struts and you are back in business. Quick struts have strut bearing and spring all assembled and ready to install. It is a good way to go if you do not have a strut compressor.
Click to expand...

A bearing? WTF? There is no bearing in there...
 
Thanks for the insight. I am confused because the bolt on top of the strut is just about as tight as it can get, and its at least 1/2" away from the top of the upper strut mount. That makes me think somehow the shock failed, is that accurate?? The mount on the lower control arm looks 100% fine.

Right now I am leaning towards buying another used set of Tacoma TRD Offroad struts and just replacing the entire strut on both passenger and driver side. I'm assuming that plus a new upper strut mount would solve the issue.

Does anyone have any idea what would cause this? I barely wheel this 4Runner, I tow a decent amount, but I wouldnt think that would wear much on the front suspension...
 
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Be real careful on the repair.....or even have a shop do it. Correct me if I'm wrong, but with the top mount broken in that manner it is no longer keeping that coil spring in place. If u jack the truck up off the ground, that spring could dislodge.
 
On the shaft below the threads, has a resting spot for a washer, rubber bushing, then your strut shaft runs through the coil bucket, then rubber bushing , washer, nut.

Some how the washer below the bucket got destroyed and allowed the shaft to beat, grind, ect on the coil bucket.

Or who ever assembled, never installed the lower washer.
 
808DA6 said:
Be real careful on the repair.....or even have a shop do it. Correct me if I'm wrong, but with the top mount broken in that manner it is no longer keeping that coil spring in place. If u jack the truck up off the ground, that spring could dislodge.
Click to expand...

Only if the top of the shock could pull through the enlarged hole in the strut mount, which doesn't appear likely. That being said, caution is always in order when working with these struts. Under normal conditions, that spring is compressed to about 1200-1300 lbs of force.

When the vehicle is jacked up, the top of the shock and the bushing should go back into the hole where it belongs. However, it could easily jam and not seat properly, leaving an unstable situation where it could "unjam" and the suspension suddenly extend another inch or two. I believe I would let someone else do it.

It looks to me like the shock failed and jammed in an extended position, forcing the bushing out of the strut mount. After that, the normal up and down movement of the shock rod has elongated and distorted the hole in the strut mount.
 
having fun said:
On the shaft below the threads, has a resting spot for a washer, rubber bushing, then your strut shaft runs through the coil bucket, then rubber bushing , washer, nut.

Some how the washer below the bucket got destroyed and allowed the shaft to beat, grind, ect on the coil bucket.

Or who ever assembled, never installed the lower washer.
Click to expand...

I believe this is the most likely explanation. The shock will naturally extend if the lower washer/rubber bushing fails.
 
Your coil bucket is just fine. Probably time for a new shock and bushing.

The 4runner has NEVER had struts. A coil over shock is not a strut.
 
You will need atleast a new tophat assembly(~$30), possibly new shock if the stem is damaged from the rubbing also.

Good news is it's not an expensive repair
 
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