Sanity Check Thread (new tires, 5100's, TSB)

Ok..

So my dealership got the TSB springs for the rear and I'm scheduled to go in this coming Tuesday. I figured it was time to get my arse in gear and swap these shocks out in the front.

I started by planning on pulling the tie rod end + sway bar, but that damn tie rod end ball joint wasn't going *anywhere*. Gave up and pulled the ball joint for the UCA and tapped the flat part at the joint and it dropped down without too much sweat.

Compressed my springs and swapped the shocks, but it looks "crooked" when back together. The top plate never separated from the spring. It all stayed "stuck together" so I know the position didn't shift, but looking at the boot and the angle of the top plate vs. the bottom of the new shock it's just not straight. Also, the rubber piece at the top plate looks smushed out. You can see from the dirt on it that it's always been like this. It's not something new as of today

I guess I can re-compress the spring, pull it apart and re-check everything. I haven't pulled the other side apart at all yet to know what it looks like in comparison. Should the top plate appear to be in alignment with the rest of the shock body (like a 45 degree angle all around), or does the act of mounting it up straighten it out somewhat? Does the rotation of the shock assembly matter when re-installing?

Planning on finishing this tomorrow morning. . help.

 

Bump

 

Decided to take apart the other side and compare the shock assembly to see how it looks (especially the rubber piece on the plate at the top).

Now I can't get the darn UCA ball joint out on this side. . . soooooo frustrating

I've sprayed it with WD-40 and I'm smacking it on the flat spot with a framing hammer. Won't budge.

How does Toyota do it?

 

There is a god, he loves me, and his name is grandpop

I went back out yesterday to hit on it some more, and it still didn't budge. I was sitting there pondering what to do, and I remember seeing some things that look like pullers for something in and among the tools I'd inherited from my grandfather.

Went back inside, rummaged through my stuff and found the tool pictured below which worked PERFECTLY. Not sure if this is what it's intended for, but I put it on, hand tightened it, and it popped out just I was reaching the maximum amount of force I could apply to the bar at the botttom without getting something to increase leverage

 

Got the TSB done now as well, and my new tires put on (Hankook ATM's 265 75 16)

 

so are they getting you a colormatched bumper?

is that picture with your bilsteins on in the front? i have mine at 1.75 here's what it looks like after the TSB and the front shock install. no vibes!!!

i need some new tires soon!

 

Nah they put a new chrome one on. The pic is 5100's @ .85 and rear TSB done w/265 75 16's. I'm happy