Struts installed backwards!!

[popsmckracken]

So I paid this idiot to put my front struts on. I went for an alignment and discovered that he put them on backwards (left on right and right on left). The truck was driving like a wheel barrel...now I know why. Will I need new struts now? Could this have damaged the struts or should I be able to just swap them out?

 

[JWaldz]

Maybe it's the brand struts, but to my recollection I didn't think struts were side specific? Can you get us some pics?

 

[Tyler James Inc]

Please elaborate this "on backwards" deal.
And what does "driving like a wheel barrow" even mean?

 

[shahsmerdis]

So I paid this idiot to put my front struts on. I went for an alignment and discovered that he put them on backwards (left on right and right on left). The truck was driving like a wheel barrel...now I know why. Will I need new struts now? Could this have damaged the struts or should I be able to just swap them out?

i think its impossible to put front struts in backwards.... the bushing on the bottom has no where of fitting on top.

 

[IsaiahC]

So I paid this idiot to put my front struts on. I went for an alignment and discovered that he put them on backwards (left on right and right on left). The truck was driving like a wheel barrel...now I know why. Will I need new struts now? Could this have damaged the struts or should I be able to just swap them out?

Sounds like the alignment shop mechanic has his head on backwards. Struts aren't side specific

 

[mtbtim]

The struts aren't side specific. The OEM coils and shocks are the same for both sides. Reversing them should have no effect.

Could you provide a picture of what you're talking about?

 

[popsmckracken]

Please elaborate this "on backwards" deal.
And what does "driving like a wheel barrow" even mean?

Well the struts are labeled Left and right and appear to have some kind of angled polymer bushing on the springs that IS side specific. there is also and outer rim on the spring that seems to hold the spring in place on one side only. I had just replaced the upper and lower ball joints with the set for Tacos and had not yet done an alignment. I'll go get some pics

 

[Tyler James Inc]

I don't want to regurgitate bad info, but- from what I've heard- the Tacoma LBJ and LCA are different from the 4Runner, and using the Taco LBJ on the 4Runner LCA will have a negative affect on your steering.
Like I said, I don't want to spew bad info, so hopefully someone with good knowledge will give insight.
Even if the sides are leveled L and R, the only thing I can think of it affecting would be "lean". Meaning maybe the shop that assembled the struts put a small spacer on the driver side to compensate for typical lean.

 

[JayRolla]

The front coils are left/right specific to account for driver and gas tank weight. Should not cause any damage. Just might lean more than normal.

Taco parts installed will cause your steering to bottom out quicker so you lose turning radius. Thats the only issue using taco parts.

 

[popsmckracken]

Here are some pics. The taco upper and lower ball joints are a direct fit replacement. They are just heavier duty. Lots of guys are running Taco upper and lower ball joints on thier TR4s.

 

[Cadaverous]

Please elaborate this "on backwards" deal.
And what does "driving like a wheel barrow" even mean?

The front end keeps catching on the ground and it makes him hit his shins on the steering wheel.

Or am I the only one that jams the front end of the wheel barrow into the ground?

 

[popsmckracken]

They are definitely side specific

 

[phattyduck]

Looks like Monroe Quick Struts = complete coil assemblies that include the spring = side specific.

The front shocks (yes, they are shocks, not struts) are not side specific, only the springs. It should be a quick swap L to R, though those top spacers might make it more difficult.

If you do Tacoma LBJ's, you need Tacoma outer tie rod ends too. As others have said, you lose some steering angle (which may or may not be bad, depending on your tire size).

-Charlie

 

[Airmapper]

And what does "driving like a wheel barrow" even mean?

This:

 

[popsmckracken]

Looks like Monroe Quick Struts = complete coil assemblies that include the spring = side specific.

The front shocks (yes, they are shocks, not struts) are not side specific, only the springs. It should be a quick swap L to R, though those top spacers might make it more difficult.

If you do Tacoma LBJ's, you need Tacoma outer tie rod ends too. As others have said, you lose some steering angle (which may or may not be bad, depending on your tire size).

-Charlie

I do have the Taco tie rods as well.

 

[JayRolla]

Looks like Monroe Quick Struts = complete coil assemblies that include the spring = side specific.

The front shocks (yes, they are shocks, not struts) are not side specific, only the springs. It should be a quick swap L to R, though those top spacers might make it more difficult.

If you do Tacoma LBJ's, you need Tacoma outer tie rod ends too. As others have said, you lose some steering angle (which may or may not be bad, depending on your tire size).

-Charlie

Its bad when your on the trail. Quite a bit of steering is lost. Ive heard people saying a 3 point turn had turned into a 5 point turn. Not fun on the trail at all when in a bind.

 

[JayRolla]

I do have the Taco tie rods as well.

They are not damaged. Just flip them from left to right.

 

[popsmckracken]

I do have the Taco tie rods as well.

I see , so it's the springs. How are these not struts? These are sold as "Monroe quick struts" ....what am I missing here?

 

[NearlystocK]

you will have one coil longer than the other, this will be the driver side coil. I had an issue with fj coils someone sent me because the color combos were different but the longer is always driver.

 

[JayRolla]

I see , so it's the springs. How are these not struts? These are sold as "Monroe quick struts" ....what am I missing here?

Our front setup is pretty close to a strut but not quite. Struts usually hold the entire weight of the vehicle and have camber/caster adjustments. In our case they dont adjust any angles for alignment so its a coil and shock setup.