Leveling 5100's Install Shop in Tulsa, OK Area

Will do. Going to do the rear end on Friday, and hopefully get the front done next weekend. Thanks for the offer, may have to take you up on it.

 

While not as easy as changing a light bulb, it wasn't that difficult doing the rear. Having the impact wrench made taking the bolts on the bottom of the shocks easy to remove.

Hardest part was getting the lower part of the new shock back into the mount. Had to use a dead blow hammer to get it in there on both.

Have to admit I'm looking forward to getting the front ones done, after the huge improvement in ride quality in the rear end. I guess 118k miles really is hard on shocks!

 

Any of you guys know what the extra cushion in the Wheeler's Off Road for the front struts is for? I got mine from the dealer, no washers included, of course, but only a single rubber cushion. The shop manual only shows one, so I'm guessing one is for 1st Gen Tacoma's maybe, so they only have one kit for both generations?

It's on this page:

 

Well, sorry this ended up being a thread about nothing, really. I ended up doing the front struts this weekend, myself. After trying to use the spring compressor from Advance Auto though, and getting really nervous, I decided to just take the assemblies to Meineke to have the struts swapped out. Guys were really nice, and was $92 total for both sides. Pepboy's wanted $300+ to do the same thing! Hibdon wouldn't even offer to install them, said it was against their policy.

The next hardest thing, was getting the bottom of the strut back into the LCA. After trying some different things, getting up in the wheel well, pushing down on the UCA with a knee on top of the brake caliper, and back against the wheel well, I was able to get enough room to let the strut drop back into place.

I borrowed the ball joint kit from Advance Auto as well, which I was able to use on the tie rod removal. I think the impact wrench was the most invaluable tool as far as doing this job. I don't know that I could have gotten half the bolts/nuts off without it. Even with PB blaster, I was still unable to remove the UCA ball joint (that was one attempt I was trying to make at getting the strut back in), because I couldn't access the nut with the impact wrench.

Overall, glad the job is over. Could have gone smoother, had I known what to do exactly to get the strut back in.

Thanks for all the advice, and encouragement. Now it's time to decide on tires and then go get an alignment.

 

And new tires today, alignment tomorrow!