Strut Replacement

[DEF4Runner]

Good morning. I've searched around a bit for what I'm looking for on various boards but can't find exactly what I'm looking for. Hoping someone here with a little more strut replacement experience than me can help out.

I replaced the OEM struts on my 2008 4Runner with a pair Bilstein 4600's and something isn't quite right. The driver's side went on pretty easy but the passenger side was a bit of a pain. Everything is assembled, and the wheels are back on...BUT...the passenger side seems to be about 2 inches taller than the driver's side.

I realize these are SUPPOSED to put about an inch lift per side but I'm wondering why the passenger side is riding higher, at a list. Could I have mis-seated the spring and the compression is misbalanced?

Dave

 

[LC2013]

Can you post some pics? Might be easier to trouble shoot.

 

[blind squirrel]

The springs are different sizes, the drivers side is a little taller than the passenger. I bet you have them reversed.

 

[DEF4Runner]

Here's a few pictures. I'm not exactly sure which angle would be best to capture what you might be looking for.

 

[DEF4Runner]

I removed/replaced one at a time so the springs were replaced to the side removed.

 

[28.]

Here's a few pictures. I'm not exactly sure which angle would be best to capture what you might be looking for.

In the pic of the strut and coil, I'm not for sure , but it looks like the coil bucket is upside down.. Someone else chime in but I think that's what I'm looking at..

 

[robaroni]

how far have you driven it since you replaced them?

 

[DEF4Runner]

I've probably put 100 miles or so on it since I replaced them, so I figured the suspension would have settled by now.

Does the coil tension increase/decrease with rotation...should I try to rotate/reseat the spring?

 

[gfluff]

Compare the area in red on both sides? Not sure how 4600s go together, but 5100s have a spring perch there that is removable, and many people have put them on wrong?

 

[morphious]

28. and gfluff are correct, if the side you are higher on is the one in your picture, see the other 2 I have attached.

 

[DEF4Runner]

I remember the spring perch. The spring plate slid down and sat on top of it...wasn't able to go any further.

The only difference I can tell between the two sides is where the bottom of the coil terminates. On the lower side, I can see the end of the coil...as seen in your photo. The end of the coil on the higher side is facing inward, towards the engine. That's why I was wondering if the spring compressed at a different tension at different rotations.

 

[DEF4Runner]

After looking at your pictures again, you might just be right. The strut sleeve might be on upside down.

 

[morphious]

See Pic:

 

[DEF4Runner]

That was it! I looked at the driver's side and it's done 'correctly'. I'll sort this out tonight!

Thanks for the input...I really appreciate the help!

 

[gfluff]

How about this: if the lowest coil can touch yellow shock body, that perch is upside down. The perch also helps center the coil and keeps it off the shock body.

Edit: just saw your last post, looks like that was it...

 

[robaroni]

That was it! I looked at the driver's side and it's done 'correctly'. I'll sort this out tonight!

Thanks for the input...I really appreciate the help!

This seems to be the most frequently made mistake when installing the Bilstein Struts. This is the second thread this week.

 

[DEF4Runner]

The funny thing is, I installed it correctly on the driver's side.

Sure enough, that's what I had done. Changed it around the other evening and it went back together MUCH easier.

Thanks again to all who posted help!