HELP! Stuck on ReadyLift install & it's almost dark!

I'm stuck on the part where I'm supposed to "rotate the top of the strut 120 degrees so that when you install it the bracket on the bottom of the strut is back in the stock location."

I cannot figure out how to rotate the top of the strut. Do I need a spring compressor?

 

Here's the problem I am having:

Here is the strut assembly in the OEM position with the spacer attached:






But the strut assembly has to be rotated in order for the new bolt pattern to line up on the top plate, so in the new position it looks like this:





but in doing this the bracket on the strut that holds the brake line is moved to the rear:




The instructions simply say "rotate the top of the strut 120 degrees" -- I've yanked and pulled with various tools and this thing will not rotate. Do I need a spring compressor to take the tension off the top plate and just rotate the entire strut back to the front-facing position?

 

try it on the other side? It's been a year since I replaced my struts with coil overs, so my memory is foggy at best. Doesn't that perch just rotate without the strut body moving?

good luck

 

Man you are doing that the hard way. You didn't need to take the UCA off, you didn't need to detach the spindle either.
Did you inadvertently buy a 6lug spacer instead of a 5 lug?

 

Just following the manufacturer instructions, which do say to take all that stuff out http://www.readylift.com/files/instructions/69-5510 Instructions.pdf

 

Sorry Im replying so late. I too had this same problem at 1st.

-Match up the 3 studs of the top of the Strut to the top mount. Lightly bolt it up. Dont tighten the 3 bolts all the way.
-Now take a strong thick and semi-long screwdriver and put it through the bottom hole of the strut where the bolt would normally go. Grab both ends of the screwdriver and twist the strut until it matches up where its supposed to bolt in with the bracket for the brake line in the right place.
-You gotta put a little force into it, but the strut should turn pretty easily with a little muscle.

Good luck man.
PM me with your number if need some more help. Its easier to describe verbally.

 

didya get it? im doin mine tommorow and was wonderin about the same thing. seems easy enough tho since mrg explained it

 

I'm gonna try again saturday, supposed to rain here any minute

 

mines dsm also ill post pics when im done. (hopefully tommorrow)

 

i cheated i got one corner done. at least the struts back in. had to leave they were closin the shop will finish tommorrow. i left it hangin on a lift next door with the wheels off. drip dryin( its rainin here.) the service guy hadda go at 5.30. i went next door we had it apart i 5 min. i cheated further by usin a spring compressor to slightly ease pressue, but you can do it like mrg said. i had put it on the lift right in front of the strut compressor just in case. ill finish tommorow. at least the front will be done with any luck ill get alignment tommorrow.i still dont have my tires mounted and balanced just got the last of the wheels today

 

How did it turn out? are u running into any other problems?

 

What happened with your lift? I got mine done off to alignment shop tommorow. Didnt do rear not sure if i need to. It sits down a little with 6 tires n wheels and a tool box full a tools in the back (prob 350 lbs) gonna drive and see

 

Hey guys sorry I've been crazy busy at work. I finished the front install, ended up just taking both strut assemblies to Big O and had them rotate the struts so the bracket was facing the correct way.

BUT I have also found a problem in the rear leaf spring install: The factory bolt that slips through all the leaf springs slides up inside the rear axle when it rests on the leaf springs. However the new bolt in the readylift kit is too big to slide into the axle, so when installed the axle rests on the head of this bolt and not the entire leaf spring. I know this might be hard to picture, but I'll snap some photos when I get off work tonight...

 

Cool id like to see another desert sand lifted. Mines the only one ive seen so far. I went with alloys instead of black for the same money basically. Ill prob regret it later. Will put up pics when i get ahold of a camera.

 

Here is a good write-up that might help

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/2nd-gen-tacomas/40467-how-toytec-lift-install-smtrdsport.html

 

Mine rubs best way to remove black boxes???????? Its a 100 degrees here i dont wanna lay on the ground any longer than i hafta

 

I posted this a few weeks back and I had the Same problem with the rear. If you can, get a dremel and widen the holes little by little just enough for the new heads on the bolts fit through.
*Also I'd like to metion the Black Metal plate that goes underneath the axle that the U-bolts to has the same issue. The top hole, where the Bottom nut (of the Bolt that goes through the leaf Springs) is also too big for the factory size hole, so that needs to be widen as well with the dremel.
*Sorry if I'm not explaing that well, I dont have any pics which would make it alot easier.
HOPE THIS HELPS...

 

hey cali taco did u ever finish?

 

Truck looks good!
I was lookin at some of your other pics and did you install the AAL in the rear? It might be the angle of the pic, but mine looks like it sits a little higher than yours in the rear.