replacing front shocks

ok so i need to replace the front shocks on my 06 tacoma.. i was told that i dont need to compress the springs when i do this and i also dont need an alignment after... just curious if this is correct before i get too far into it?
it is the off road package if this makes any differnece?

 

im not saying anything about compressing springs but i would def get an alignment after.

 

are you replacing just the shocks or shocks and springs... if its the shocks, the ONLY way to safely get them out is to compress them, if you were to take the shock out without compressing, you will get injured or worse... take it to a shop and have them compress the springs and put the old springs on the new shocks...

 

i would do this. or you could buy a compressor and do it yourself. just don't get hurt :/

 

Yep you do need a compressor, and an alignment. I believe you can pick one up from autozone, but if you don't know what you're doing I would just bring the assembly in and have then do it for you (for safety reasons). lol

 

I would check the boards and ebay for a set of take off assemblies. I picked up new springs and shocks with only 380miles for $100 for just the fronts. Saves a lot of hasles and the hardware is all brand new. Just makes life easier and cost effective.

 

You need a compressor. You can loan one from autozone for free. You pay a deposit which you'll get back when you return the tool with receipt.
Be careful. These springs hold a lot of tension which can seriously insure you if something goes wrong.

 

The replacement really wasn't bad at all when I upgraded my fronts. The compressor is a bit scary and all, but once compressed the coils are really snug. Once I started working with the compressor I felt pretty comfortable; especially when I realized that there was only 20-30 lbs of force on the top nut at rest.

 

I did my fronts this past weekend. You definitely need to compress them. I rented a compress from the autoparts store, but the safty pins wouldn't fit over the coil so a guy at NTB did it for me for $40.

 

^That's the way to do it if you're semi-competent with a wrench and have another vehicle at your disposal. Just pay a few bucks and let the pros handle the shock install and then put the assembly back in yourself.

 

Check this thread... new pics on page 9

 

i have O2 TRD, my front shock has a leak. do i need to replace rear as well front shocks?

 

No, you don't have to. I would recommend it though, specially if you're going to put higher quality shocks in the front (like 5100's).
Personally I would keep my set the same age as much as possible; same with tires. I always hated buying a single tire because I ripped one.