Easiest way to replace coilover...

I see three different ways to remove and replace the coilover.
1 Remove lower control arm bolts mark cams for ensuring alignment remove sway bar bolts and pull coilover down. As seen here
https://youtu.be/Rxcd2duh1gM

2.Remove the upper control arm ball joint from spindle, sway bar and weasel out as seen here.

https://youtu.be/bbsTJgb6S_c

3. Or the instructions that came with the fox 2.5 coilovers which say to remove the tie rod after sway bar is disconnected from the spindle which I have never heard of. Cant find any video on this. So...

How would you guys go about it if you were just swapping coilovers as far as the quickest and easiest way.
Thanks for any input TW!!

 

Rent a tie rod puller and remove the title rod / sway bar. Also you can mark the alignment tabs but if you're replacing the coil overs with different ones you'll still need an aligbment

 

I'd post this in Suspension forum. Are you going to replace the entire assembly (disassembling spring/strut not required)?

 

Yes just replacing coil over not removing the spring from the shock. Thanks Ill go to the suspension forum.

 

I did mine using the first method. Worked fine. If I wasn't drinking it could have be done both sides in an hour.

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/how-to-front-shock-spring-removal.31862/

 

Really? I used the total chaos method the first time I installed them it seems like having to mark the cams and removing two bolts would take longer but maybe Im wrong. Thanks for your input!!

 

Thank you Smitty!!!

 

Read through that entire thread I posted the link to...a couple different options discussed in there.

 

Fantastic Smitty. I couldn't see why you would want to remove the tie rod or rent a tie rod puller.
the method you directed me to was the way I used when installing my UCA and coilover originally but seen a few different ways and just wanted the quickest way. It would appear that is the best way. Thanks again for your help!!!

 

Trucks gotta go in for realignment anyway after you pull them out and put the new ones back in.

Only side notes: I only loosened the lower cam bolts maybe slightly over a half turn. Just until the arm was able to drop slightly down. The cam mark didn't even move.

Secondly someone said something about the sway bar above. And renting tools... just loosen that nut until it's on the bolts edge and give it a light tap.



That's about how far the control arm needs to drop. Also it's supporting itself at that level cause the bolts aren't totally backed off.

And yes Canadians lift trucks in winter on the driveway after a snowfall and finished before the next snow fall started.

 

Props to the Canadians!!!

 

Major jerry rig points for the multistage jack stand "booster"

 

That's pretty sketchy...
Reminds me of this

 

Zoom in closer and you'll see I have 4 jack stands underneath. The red ones are behind on ground and frame.

The black ones weren't actually holding the truck.

 

Now I see them, Phew.
Safety first brother!