How to: Front shock/spring removal

Thanks to everyone for the help, that helped me a lot in making it easy to do the front install. And the stance on the Tacoma looks great, can't wait to do mine as soon as I get a little time. Again thanks to everyone involved.

 

I pulled the steering tie rod, front sway bar, and that was it. I used stock coils and the 5100's set on 0.85. It was a PITA at first, to get the assembly back in, but what I did, was crawl into the wheel well, with my back against it, put one hand on top of the UCA, right where the ball joint is, and my knee on top of the brake caliper. Push down on top of the UCA and caliper, against your back in the wheel well, and you can have someone push in the shock assembly and the bolt at the bottom. Actually, with my free hand, I pushed the shock in on one side, and didn't have any issues, but still had to have help getting the bolt hole to line up.

When I did the front diff driver's side bushing (East Coast Gear Supply), I removed the LCA from the knuckle via the two bolts on the bottom. I'm guessing if you struggle with what I said above, this would be the next easiest thing to do, and I don't think that messes with the alignment either. This would allow you to push everything back together, fairly easily, I think.

The only thing I'm not sure about, is if you would need a little jack to push the LCA back up, without the shock assembly in place yet. Since I already had it installed when I did the front diff bushing.

Have fun, just think about what you are doing, and don't get in a hurry.

 

im replacing my front shocks today i will take pics of the process and post them up so we can get some reference pics up

using this as a reference for my install
http://www.lieblweb.com/cornbredlift.html

 

From experience, one of my LCA swung out of the way with no problem, the other I had to use a strap (connected it to the jack, Truck was on jackstands!)to pull it down. I had no problems getting the alignment cams back into their original position. The challenge was jacking the truck up high enough, but a friend's dad had jackstands that would work. In this manner I avoided the steering tie rod, and sway bar removal (less work) and the shock assembly drops straight down.

 

I think I am missing something. I have replaced front shocks on many a Ford but never a Toyota. If I am just replacing shocks and not putting in new coils do I need to take the whole coil and shock assembly out?.

 

Yes you must remove the coils to replace the shocks. Think of them as struts even though they are shocks.

 

That is what I thought. My Fords had the shock inside the coil but I guess they are all a little different.

 

The coil's bottom support is part of the shock. The coil and shock together assemble under compression.

 

So if I just have stock suspension but I want to level the front end so it loos and perform a better, and I buy 5100's do I need new springs in the front too? Or just the 5100 shocks?

 

Short answer = Just the shocks and adj the ride height by setting the clip in one of the 4 positions. 0-2.5" research for more info on the shocks.

 

thank you very much! one more question though, would these bilsteins fit my truck? not the coils but just the shocks?

 

or these??

 

check the part#, compare to a retailer such as Toytec for Tacoma shocks to see if the part#s match, or check online with Bilstein.

 

Alright thanks!!

 

any tips on how to replace the top coil isolator? Im removing some sketchy coil spacer lift and bought all the stock stuff to put on

 

Matt,
I recently installed 5100 and Eibachs. I wanted to make life simple, so I found all the parts needed to assemble my struts, then just swapped them when the time came.
I bought the isolators off ebay. I couldn't find anything for 2nd gen, and the ones I found are listed for first gen. I bought one as a test and it fit perfectly ... $11.


The top plate is a Monroe unit from RockAuto ... $18.

 

Did we have a working link of pics for this install yet?

 

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I have a 2013 Dbl cab Sport, I am planning to order the Bilstein 5100's for all 4 corners, 885 springs. I am a little confused on the AAL. I have 4 springs now, so the AAL will make 5. Is that correct or am I missing something?


My goals are running a 265-75-17 tire, FJ wheels, and a lift around 2.5. I will do very light hauling and pull a small utility trailer on a limited basis. 99% city/highway driving with very little off road.

 

Can anyone post pics in this thread? I'm about to try to install my lift for the first time and I think this could be a good resource. Or re-direct me o another thread thanks!