How to: Front shock/spring removal

chris4x4 · 03-28-2009, 05:38 PM

Removing the front shocks/springs on the second gen Tacoma is a pretty easy task. You will need a small assortment of basic hand tools.
Hammer
Metric sockets (1/4" & 3/8"): 17mm, 19mm, 14mm
3/8" ratchet wrench
1/4" ratchet wrench
14mm ratcheting open/box wrench
19mm open wrench
Needle nose pliers.

Torque for the 3 top nuts is: 47 ft-lbs
Lower shock bolt/nut: 61 ft-lbs
Sway bar nut: 52 ft-lbs

First, jack up the front of the truck and remove both front tires:

Then, remove the 17mm swaybar end link:

Then, remove the 19mm castle nut holding the upper ball joint to the spindle. You will need to use the needle nose pliers to remove the retaining wire. Once this is removed, wire or zip tie the spindle so as to not let it pull or put tension on the brake lines:

Then, you want to remove the 3 14mm nuts on the top plate. DO NOT REMOVE THE CENTER NUT.

Then, remove the 19mm lower shock mount bolt, and nut. You may need to tap this bolt out, once the nut is removed:

Then, Remove the shock/spring assembly:

Reinstall the lift or coilover of your choice in the reverse order.

I accidentaly deleted the pics, so until I can get new ones use these links:
http://ncttora.com/fsm/05+/data/ilea...a/03900510.pdf

http://ncttora.com/fsm/05+/data/ilea...6ta/039000.pdf

brianr · 03-28-2009, 05:45 PM

badass buddy!

good write up.

having a shindig w/o me though...thats harsh.

chris4x4 · 03-28-2009, 05:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brianr

badass buddy!

good write up.

having a shindig w/o me though...thats harsh.

Sorry, Buddy. I thought you were working?

You would have enjoyed it. Matt almost had to stop me from beating a "Tech" at Pep boys....maybe He'll chime in and tell the story.

tacoma08MZ · 03-28-2009, 05:49 PM

Wow, thats way easier than i thought it would be! Ill be doin this by myself when i throw out the spacer lift, thanks chris!

duckcmdr · 03-28-2009, 05:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brianr

badass buddy!

good write up.

having a shindig w/o me though...thats harsh.

Damn Brian I thought that was your truck for a minute. thought you got some new toys

WW_FIREFIGHTER · 03-28-2009, 05:49 PM

Looking good! Good job guys!!!

Brunes · 03-28-2009, 05:50 PM

I wanna hear to tech beating story!!

Nice Write up Chris-What I figured it would be to get the job done...Nice to see someone else do it first tho!!

chris4x4 · 03-28-2009, 06:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BrunesDoesTRD

I wanna hear to tech beating story!!

Well, We took the stock shocks/springs to Pep Boys to have them swap the new OME 885 springs and Bilstien 5100 shocks. We dropped them off, and left to go assemble Matts new TC UCA's. We needed a different size grease zerk for one of the arms, so we headed back to Pep Boys. We got the parts, hung out for a bit, then, while we were on aisle 9a, my phone rings, it was Pep Boys telling me the shocks were finished. We stroll over to the counter, and the dude says, "Here ya go!" with a big grin on his face. The Top Plates were on crooked, and Im looking at them and notice, that they assembled them without the bushings or washers!!! The service dude, says "Oh...sorry about that, I'll go get it fixed"....I told him I want to go back there and show the dude how to build them....he started to mumble something, but I was already walking back there. So I see this fat ass trying to work the spring compressor, and he asked "whats wrong with them?"....I about LOST IT! I told him "They need to have the bushings installed, washeres, and the spring is installed wrong". The manager was right there, and he looked at the tech and said "You should have known better! How many of these have you done?". Well, I showed both of them how to do it. Matts Top Plate was gouged as the top nut was installed without a bushing or washer, and it was gouging the Top Plate. Idiots. I was pissed.

TicTacOma · 03-28-2009, 06:33 PM

So if you had an aftermarket setup that was a complete shock/spring assembly like ToyTecs Ultimate Kit where you didn't need to "build" the shock/spring.....It would just slide right back in there, correct?

Brunes · 03-28-2009, 06:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TicTacOma

So if you had an aftermarket setup that was a complete shock/spring assembly where you didn't need to "build" the shock/spring like ToyTecs Ultimate Kit.....It would just slide right back in there, correct?

If you mean- You buy a completely assembled coilover then...yes. Just take the old one out and put the new one in.

That's pretty sad Chris- I'd be pissed. I'm glad that I'll get to help with mine when the time comes...

brianr · 03-28-2009, 08:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chris4x4

Sorry, Buddy. I thought you were working?

You would have enjoyed it. Matt almost had to stop me from beating a "Tech" at Pep boys....maybe He'll chime in and tell the story.

haha, we need to have a cigar meet soon.

Quote:

Originally Posted by duckcmdr

Damn Brian I thought that was your truck for a minute. thought you got some new toys

sorry Joe, no new toys for me. I'm looking at new tires right now though. Maybe wheels if I find a good deal.

DanGer · 03-28-2009, 09:02 PM

Hey chris, is it really just that striaght forward to put on the 5100's? I know you need an alignment

chris4x4 · 03-28-2009, 09:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dgerm

Hey chris, is it really just that striaght forward to put on the 5100's? I know you need an alignment

Its just that easy. Take the springs and shocks to a place to have them installed, if you dont have a spring compressor. If you take it some place, make sure the reinstall everything propperly.

rossk35 · 03-29-2009, 02:32 AM

Instead of unbolting the ball joint why not just remove the top control arm. Its easier that way which is the way I do it on the 5 lug tacomas when installing a drop kit.

longbow · 03-29-2009, 04:58 AM

That's a great write up, I was wondering how easy that was, looks like I will add my new coilovers myself............

PackerfanXD · 03-29-2009, 05:41 AM

Looks like I'm late to the party.

Pep Boys sucks.
Chris is awesome.

TicTacOma · 03-29-2009, 05:57 AM

^^ You can still bring the chips and dip.....

PackerfanXD · 03-29-2009, 06:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TicTacOma

^^ You can still bring the chips and dip.....

Well, ok.... but what am I to do with all these hookers then...? Um, nevermind.

brianr · 03-29-2009, 06:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PackerfanXD

Well, ok.... but what am I to do with all these hookers then...? Um, nevermind.

damn, thats where they are all are...you are hording them over there near 7th St.

PackerfanXD · 03-29-2009, 06:18 AM

7th St hookers...mmmmm.

03-28-2009, 05:45 PM	#2
brianr barge it Joined: Oct 2008, #10289 Age: 24 Gender: Dude Posts: 8,190 06 Prerunner 2006 Double Cab Automatic 4L totally De-badged, 4leaf TSB (AAL), Terra Grappler 265/70/17's, fog lights on anytime, no a/c in defrost setting, no door beep, bed mat, LED dome & map lights, license plate light LED's, tailgate theft deterent device, TW sticker, no tick rubber washer mod, tint, more stickers. -CLHLM coming soon.	badass buddy! good write up. having a shindig w/o me though...thats harsh. __________________ Kennett Brewfest http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/nor...rewfest-8.html

03-28-2009, 05:49 PM	#6
WW_FIREFIGHTER Lieutenant Dan. Name: Danny Joined: Nov 2008, #10651 Location: Nevada, and no, "NOT" Las Vegas! Gender: Guy Posts: 3,752 06' SW TRD Sport 4x4 2006 Double Cab Automatic 4.0 V6 Tacoma World July 09' Truck of the Month! =>	Looking good! Good job guys!!! __________________ Sig by *Delmarva* July 09' TOTM

03-28-2009, 05:50 PM	#7
Brunes Pray for CG1705 and the Cobra Crew Name: Mark Joined: May 2008, #7011 Location: Panhandle, Florida Age: 25 Gender: Dude Posts: 5,820 08 Red/Graphite and Black 2008 Access Cab Manual 1GR-FE: 4L V6 Debadge, Tint, LiteRider Tonneau with Locker Handle, 5 Pc Black Billet Grill, Black Rims, IPod Adapter, Red and Black Wet Okole Seats, Black Weathertechs. 885's and TC UCAs and Wheelers 3 pack AAL with OME Shocks and extended brake lines. Revenge Fabrication 82" Kickout sliders	I wanna hear to tech beating story!! Nice Write up Chris-What I figured it would be to get the job done...Nice to see someone else do it first tho!! __________________ Namaste Brunes

03-28-2009, 06:33 PM	#9
TicTacOma UnderWater Monoploy Champ Joined: Dec 2007, #3840 Location: Columbia,SC Gender: Male Posts: 1,461 I'm Thinking... 2008 Double Cab Automatic 4.0 V-6	So if you had an aftermarket setup that was a complete shock/spring assembly like ToyTecs Ultimate Kit where you didn't need to "build" the shock/spring.....It would just slide right back in there, correct? __________________ Hand Me That Piano... My Name Is Chuck And I'm Addicted To Gas Station HotDogs...

03-29-2009, 02:32 AM	#14
rossk35 Do Work Son! Joined: Mar 2009, #15197 Location: hawaii Gender: Male Posts: 390 07 TRD Sport Supercharged 2007 Double Cab Automatic 4.0 TRD S/C/TRD Intake/TRD Boost Gauge/DT Headers/OEM TL/ZKW retro/Pioneer DVD w/Ipod/Magnaflow/20% Tint/BHLM/JL 10" sub, JL VR components, JL 450/4 amp/s2k ant./Helwig Sway bar/Viper 791/ 18" limited 4runner rims	Instead of unbolting the ball joint why not just remove the top control arm. Its easier that way which is the way I do it on the 5 lug tacomas when installing a drop kit. __________________ TRD S/C/APR 2.85 Pulley/TRD Intake/TRD Boost Gauge/DT Headers/OEM TL/ZKW retro/Pioneer DVD w/Ipod/Magnaflow/20% Tint/BHLM/JL 10" sub, JL VR components, JL 450/4 amp/s2k ant./Helwig Sway bar/Viper 791/ 18" limited 4runner rims

03-28-2009, 05:49 PM	#4
tacoma08MZ Senior Member Name: Levi Joined: Jun 2008, #7661 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Age: 20 Gender: Male Posts: 733 2008 Access Cab 4x4 2008 Access Cab Automatic V6 tinted head/tail lights-blacked out badges-3 inch tuff country lift 33 inch nittos-black steelies custom spare bed mount-hilift-weathertechs-kenwood dnx5120 dvdnav headunit-remote start-painted grille surround-fog lights-grillcraft black mesh grille	Wow, thats way easier than i thought it would be! Ill be doin this by myself when i throw out the spacer lift, thanks chris!

03-28-2009, 09:02 PM	#12
DanGer Avatar approved by 98tacomav6 Joined: Jun 2008, #7155 Location: Northern Virginia & Blacksburg Age: 20 Gender: Male Posts: 5,852 07 Base 4Cyl 4x4 Manual 2007 Access Cab Manual 2.7 5 speed White Head Light mod, White shorty antennae, Doug Thorley Long Tube headers, AFE Drop in air filter, Secondary Air Filter Removed,	Hey chris, is it really just that striaght forward to put on the 5100's? I know you need an alignment

03-29-2009, 04:58 AM	#15
longbow Bullet with a name on it Name: Bill Joined: Jun 2008, #7586 Location: Indiana Gender: Male Posts: 5,159 05 Tacoma Silver Mica TRD 4 Door 2005 Double Cab Automatic 6 squirrels and a pissed cat Toy-tec Coil over lift, Eibach 700 lb springs, Sway bar relocate, Total Chaos UCA's, Moto metal wheels, BFG mudterrians, HID, custom 3 piece grill, Highlift jack w/custom mount, Highlift jack cover, bed matt, de-badged 100%, storage box lock mod, using defrost w/o AC mod, short antenna mod, horn re-locate, Tire Gate flat spare tire mount, engine cover painted, bed light (1) mod, wreck bar carrier, Blue Sea 5026 fuse block, center console outlet, flash light mod, Blue Sea inline fuse, Shrockworks sliders, All-Pro front bumper, Piaa 510 driving lights, Warn shackles front, Kennesaw rear bumper, "Tag Boltz" plate lights, Warn shackles rear, Warn M8000 winch, devil horns, BHLM, weathech liners front and rear.....T.W. sticker of course. Custom Sock bed decal for Michele	That's a great write up, I was wondering how easy that was, looks like I will add my new coilovers myself............ __________________ "Never lay down, Never say die, Never tap out" Sig. by cmack48

03-29-2009, 05:41 AM	#16
PackerfanXD Just waiting for the Apocalypse Name: Mr. Mom Joined: Aug 2008, #8741 Location: Armed In A GUN-FREE Zone Age: 36 Gender: Male Posts: 3,678 Killer Blue Taco 2007 Double Cab Automatic 4.0 V6 Bilstein 5100's, OME 885's, Total Chaos UCAs, Rear Leaf Spring TSB, Toytec AALs, Moto Metal 950 16" Wheels, BFG 285/75R 16 AT Tires, TRD Exhaust, Viper Alarm, Fog Light Mod, De-badged, Blue LED Dome Light, EZ Clamped Tailgate, Wet Okoles, Satoshi Grill, 5% Tint, Engine Tick Fix, Black Bumper, Black Center Valence, Thanks for all the help chris4x4!	Looks like I'm late to the party. Pep Boys sucks. Chris is awesome. __________________ Μολὼν λάβε!!! *"From my cold, dead hands!"* I was Anti-Obama when Anti-Obama wasn't cool. (<I also had this in my sig before it was cool)

03-29-2009, 05:57 AM	#17
TicTacOma UnderWater Monoploy Champ Joined: Dec 2007, #3840 Location: Columbia,SC Gender: Male Posts: 1,461 I'm Thinking... 2008 Double Cab Automatic 4.0 V-6	^^ You can still bring the chips and dip..... __________________ Hand Me That Piano... My Name Is Chuck And I'm Addicted To Gas Station HotDogs...

03-29-2009, 06:18 AM	#20
PackerfanXD Just waiting for the Apocalypse Name: Mr. Mom Joined: Aug 2008, #8741 Location: Armed In A GUN-FREE Zone Age: 36 Gender: Male Posts: 3,678 Killer Blue Taco 2007 Double Cab Automatic 4.0 V6 Bilstein 5100's, OME 885's, Total Chaos UCAs, Rear Leaf Spring TSB, Toytec AALs, Moto Metal 950 16" Wheels, BFG 285/75R 16 AT Tires, TRD Exhaust, Viper Alarm, Fog Light Mod, De-badged, Blue LED Dome Light, EZ Clamped Tailgate, Wet Okoles, Satoshi Grill, 5% Tint, Engine Tick Fix, Black Bumper, Black Center Valence, Thanks for all the help chris4x4!	7th St hookers...mmmmm. __________________ Μολὼν λάβε!!! *"From my cold, dead hands!"* I was Anti-Obama when Anti-Obama wasn't cool. (<I also had this in my sig before it was cool)

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