Shock Absorber Loose?

Yeah reading around so far everyone seems to be paying less than that even for all fours.

 

Awe, darn, was hoping to get rid of them. Thank you though. Stock black shocks and yellow factory TRD bilstein shocks (4600's) will work on any 6 lug Tacoma to my knowledge, 5 lug use a different setup. 5100's and 6112's (6112's are just a larger diameter both shock body and shaft over a 5100, better over all cooling performance) $700 is way to much for those 5100's. If you are even somewhat handy, might as well buy a set from @HeadStrong Off-Road and install yourself for a lot cheaper, then just drive it a short distance to an alignment shop and have an alignment done for a much better price.

Mind you, you posted in the 2nd gen section. Don't be fooled, there is plenty of BS throughout the forum.
Keep us updated with pics as you install and get this fixed. HeadStrong will easily have the best prices and get it shipped to you fast.

 

Thank you for the recommendation @PapaBear

 

I will buy from you guys next time Marie! I am possibly looking for springs or maybe control arms next.

Anyway, update on this, I found more threads that has this similar issue for anyone else looking.
I'm wondering if my issue is similar to these, where its just the bottom piece incorrectly installed or missing.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/bilstein-5100-bushing-gap-clunk-help.291956/
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/bilstein-5100s-top-nut-gap-issue.342789/

I bought new Bilstein 5100 on eBay, and KYB shock mounts. Mine are currently set to the top level, so I'm looking to maintain the same height.

 

I finally got around to fixing this, well almost. Using the instructions here and on YouTube for front shock replacements, I was partly able to complete this. Passenger side is completed.
My passenger side's top shock mounts were TOAST. I'll attach a pic tomorrow. When I say toast, I mean . FYI, the shocks I had in the first pics are Bilstein 5100s. I also found out this truck has "spacers"? I think is what they call it. Removing it since I'm also installing Eibach coils, so the 5100s don't need to be adjusted.

Doing the driver's side tomorrow, the top nut was stuck. I don't have a sawzall, and its only about 3-4 threads away from being off. Thinking of picking up a vicegrip tomorrow to try to get it. Then doing the rears tomorrow or the following day, and then an alignment.

 

Here is the front passenger side's top shock mount!

Passenger side completed. If anyone sees anything weird, please let me know!

Btw, what do you call those things attach to my rotors? I just thought those looked weird. Its used to support my wheels...

 

WOW those tophats were DONEZO!

those ring spacers are for hubcentric ring spacers for your rims.

Either way looks like you did a proper install!

 

Wow! What year and mileage on your truck? Thanks.

 

When you try the vice grips, get some penetrating fluid as well. Try to work the nut back and forth not just off, and heavily apply the fluid. Should works it’s way off eventually.

 

2006 and just about 124,000 miles.

I will try this again. The bolt felt stuck between threads going up and down. Didn't get vice grips since Harbor Freight was closed, but got a good deal with Costco LED lights for under $20. Working on it more soon.

Update: They're stripped. Also driver LCA won't go down using the no compressor method.

 

Your alignment cams are seized, soak those in some pb blaster as well. I did that for two days then was able to force the LCA down enough to remove the shock.

 

dremel mmm

 

dremel with cutoff wheel, cut a groove in the nut against the threads on both sides 180 and use a cold chisel to spread the nut open

 

I was so close to buying a dremel. I ended up tightening the center bolt, but it was still pretty stripped. Then took the 3 bolts out, after I loosened the shock bolt. This side was harder than the passenger side. I also noticed the shock bolt had the threads, but they were smooth?? It's late. I got the shock out, but the LCA isn't going down to fit the new shocks and springs. I'm having a bit of a hard time putting the shock in. I might just get it assembled and then finally finish up the fronts tomorrow.

 

Did you push the LCA down or something? I've been spraying a lot of WD40 on it everyday.

 

Yes I did, driver side only needed my foot to push it down. Passenger required a pry bar in between the frame and lca.

 

And wd-40 won’t work, you need a penetrating fluid.

 

Thanks! I'll try it out more. I used this type of WD40. .

Its a nice design, but the spray thing is frustrating to use since it tries to come out both holes sometimes.

 

Ok that should work, I thought you were using regular WD-40. I always use PB Blaster but that’s just habit I guess.

 

Finally installed. Had to go up instead of down and kept wiggling the LCA UP and down, and a lot more penetration spray.

Is Firestone able to do alignment with wide wheels? Going to call tomorrow. Toyota said they'd scratch my wheels. I still need to put the front sway bars. Rushed it to Toyota and found my timing chain is leaking! (10/10 they say...)

By the way, everything seemed to have costed under $700 and that was a full quote for all fronts without top mounts.

I've never changed my brakes and only have done oil and differential fluid changes. This was a bit stressful but really awesome I did it and not die. I'm buying 6 ton jack stands next. When I was packing up the driver side, the other side dropped! Luckily I had the truck jack as stand by.