1st Gen Tacomas in Arizona

After completing upper arm bushings, upper ball joints and strut thingys I managed to tear one of my cv shaft boots. I am going to need to do both sides as the other side is weeping a little. Might do lower ball joints at the same time. It never ends! My truck has never driven better!

Is there anyone here that is an expert at rebooting? There are a couple of specialty tools that I dont have.

 

We need to have a rebooting party !! I have a set that I've been procrastinating on forever. What special tools are you missing??

Also I understand. I just rebuilt my front-end.

 

There is a c clip tool for $30 and a banding tool or kit that is also $30. A party sounds like a good idea.

 

I have the banding tool and possibly the c-clip tool. I need to watch a video again to rember.
Otherwise i have my rebuild parts ready to go.

 

Sounds like a party waiting to happen. I have not bought the kit yet, where did you get yours?

 

I got lucky and bought it on the tw market place for a good price. Camelback toyota has good prices if you use there online store.

 

Man, I'd like to attend this party. I have a pre runner so the boots aren't an issue, but I have a click clunk when I turn left and have a bump. I assume it's the bilstein's in front but could be tie rod ends. Bushings replaced, ball joints replaced (that was a doozy), sway bar end links replaced, but could be shocks since they have 60k miles on them. I'd just like to meet some good people and get an informed diagnosis.

 

I was just thinking about this earlier today.
@aroma did you pick up a rebooting ket or parts yet?
@cookiedough it dose sound like a shock. I have a gopro we could stuff underneath and see what's happening.
We could have a first gen wrenching party / meet up....
I'm in mesa . I have a garage but it's small and filled with crap and my driveway is sloped but I have ok parking. If someone who has a place to host I'll bring some nessary tools and bugers.

 

I'm at the opposite end of the valley (NW Peoria) and have a similar situation, sloped driveway as well.

 

Sorry for the late reply, just got back from Rocky point. I have not pulled my shaft or ordered parts but am planning on doing it Monday. I have a spare shaft so no rush to get it done. I live near Scottsdale rd and Thunderbird so, in the middle. I have a 2 car garage that I park 2 cars in so pulling them out is easy. Let me know, I can travel as well.

 

I had a clunk as well, turned out to be the upper control arm bushings. I also found more damage as I took things apart and broke some stuff too. If you don't know the history, better to start your own.

 

Clunk is too strong a word. Click on compression is more appropriate. I've owned since new, first thought is shock (which I don't mess with mechanical stored energy devices be they garage door or coils), second is tie rods, since they are OEM with 264k miles. I need to lift the front so I can see if there is any sensible play, then remove the tires and look a little closer. I had 190k miles on the first set of Bilsteins, these with only 70k make me feel like I have a low quality part (haha). I see you have 380k on your 2002, so I think I still have some catching up to do.

 

You've changed out your lower ball joints right?

 

Yes - I was reading a thread in the 1st Gen section, had images of the front wheel folded under. Then read about the 100k mile replacement recommendation when I was at 220k. Did the OEMs both top and bottom, the originals lasted that long so Toyota ones were going back on.

Pulled the wheels this morning. Both sides, the shock bushings were spilt pretty good.

 

I may have a set of replacement bushings. I'll look later.

 

They're yours if you want em.

 

That looks good, I assume the Bilstein and the OME are the same? The other issue I have, I don't mess with stored energy devices. Like, my garage door spring, or in this case the coil over assembly. Is it possible to change the bushing without compressing the spring? If I had a wall mount spring compressor, maybe. I put it in the same category of skiing, know your limit ski within it. This is one area I am at the limit of my understanding.

 

@cookiedough
Man I didn't realize that you were still rocking the stock shocks. I'm not sure if thoes bushings fit. We could measure and find out. But I'm guessing that your stock shocks are probably past there life expectancy.
But to put in new bushings you would pull the whole "strut" shock and spring out as a unit. While it would be heavy it would then be possible to press out the bushings.

 

Replaced the originals at 190k, but yes, these are the 4600's (part number 22-022842) and pretty much at end of life - assuming a life of 50k miles under normal driving - highway, forest service roads, pulled an 8' tent trailer all over AZ, UT, CO

Did a bit of searching in the 2003 FSM listed in the 1st Gen thread, I'll probably just schedule the appt to get the shocks replaced, do the 4600's again since it's stock height and weight.

 

I know this will not be a popular idea.... I replaced my bilstien 5100 struts with Monroe quickies. Improved ride considerably. I know they were worn out so it is not a fair comparison. Time will tell. 95% of my driving is on pavement.