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Help I’m stuck! Bilstein 5100 install

Discussion in '3rd Gen. Tacomas (2016-2023)' started by trabo, Nov 5, 2021.

  1. Nov 5, 2021 at 11:39 AM
    #21
    nd4spdbh

    nd4spdbh Well-Known Member

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    Instead of disconnecting sway bar, Loosen the main UCA bolt (you will need to anyways see below) and droop out the tire on the other side.

    You ABSOLUTELY need to loosen ANY bolt that has a BONDED rubber bushing after install AT RIDE HEIGHT so that the bushings are rotated properly. That means, once together and the truck has wheels on and is on the ground the main UCA bolt, both LCA to frame bolts and lower shock bolt be LOOSE, bounce the truck a time or to THEN tighten those bolts.
     
    Squeaky Penguin, AMMO461 and whatstcp like this.
  2. Nov 5, 2021 at 11:47 AM
    #22
    Vlady

    Vlady Well-Known Member

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    Disconnect the say bar and use a long pry bar to compress the uca down while jacking lca.
    But must put stands under the frame on both sides.
     
    BalutTaco likes this.
  3. Nov 5, 2021 at 12:04 PM
    #23
    trabo

    trabo [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Thanks everyone. All I had to do was push down on the rotor and align the lower control arms.

    appreciate the advice. We have extra jacks and supports, appreciate the concern.
     
    b_r_o and AMMO461 like this.
  4. Nov 5, 2021 at 4:21 PM
    #24
    FloTaco

    FloTaco Well-Known Member

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    OP, when you swap the other side follow these steps as others have offered up:

    1. take a paint pent or marker (not black) and index your lower control arm cam bolts then loosen them.
    2. loosen the UCA bolt slightly.
    3. disconnect the sway bar.
    4. now unbolt the lower ball joint.
     
  5. Nov 5, 2021 at 6:38 PM
    #25
    Vlady

    Vlady Well-Known Member

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    Too many steps..
    Undoing a bolt joint at uca is the easiest and fastest way. Nothing else needs to be loosen. Just need proper tools and get familiar with the process before wrenching .
     
  6. Nov 5, 2021 at 6:43 PM
    #26
    Reddirtnaps

    Reddirtnaps Well-Known Member

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    100% sway bar
     
    Vlady[QUOTED] likes this.
  7. Nov 5, 2021 at 6:46 PM
    #27
    Vlady

    Vlady Well-Known Member

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    Yep. Removing sway bar is a must. Opens up the space and speeds the process
     
  8. Nov 5, 2021 at 6:46 PM
    #28
    Hkelters

    Hkelters Well-Known Member

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    I am more interested in how you got the strut in there without touching the sway bar.
     
  9. Nov 5, 2021 at 6:47 PM
    #29
    Reddirtnaps

    Reddirtnaps Well-Known Member

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    Loosen the bolts in the LCA and lift the truck up high enough it’ll come straight on down.
     
    trabo[OP] likes this.
  10. Nov 5, 2021 at 6:49 PM
    #30
    Reddirtnaps

    Reddirtnaps Well-Known Member

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    Been in that same spot twice. Once installing 6112’s then again swapping out the front diff.
     
  11. Nov 5, 2021 at 9:53 PM
    #31
    trabo

    trabo [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Don’t need to remove the sway bar y’all
     
  12. Nov 5, 2021 at 9:54 PM
    #32
    Bishop84

    Bishop84 Well-Known Member

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    It's just easier, I do it because its one bolt per side.

    I also loosen the UCA bolt now and it makes it waaaaaay easier to bolt the ball joint up again. But you don't have to.
     
    trabo[QUOTED][OP] likes this.
  13. Nov 5, 2021 at 9:59 PM
    #33
    Uscgamecock7

    Uscgamecock7 Well-Known Member

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    I would def point out like how someone else did about your steering rack. I would look into it
     
    trabo[OP] likes this.
  14. Nov 5, 2021 at 10:27 PM
    #34
    b_r_o

    b_r_o Gnar doggy

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    Be careful loosening the LCA cam bolts. If the sleeves are rusted and you start swinging the arm around, the eccentrics will flatten the alignment tabs on the frame

    Everything can be done by just removing the sway link
     
  15. Nov 5, 2021 at 10:28 PM
    #35
    Legionaire

    Legionaire Member

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    Fox 2.0 snap ring, 2.0 w/res rear, 285/70r17 Toyo Open Country AT3.
    You have the same problem I've had when I installed mine. Used pry bar put above control arm hook to coil spring and push it down, and have another person put on the bolts.

    From what I've learn that I had too much pre-load, so what I did was lower one notch and had no problem.
     
  16. Nov 6, 2021 at 5:41 PM
    #36
    trabo

    trabo [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Those were bushings from the original set
     
  17. Nov 6, 2021 at 5:43 PM
    #37
    trabo

    trabo [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Thanks. I had already done this but needed to push the rotors down to align the LCA bolts
     
  18. Nov 7, 2021 at 1:22 AM
    #38
    Shades_Of_Red

    Shades_Of_Red Well-Known Member

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    A few.
    The swaybar doesnt need to be disconnected to replace the coilover nor does the tierod or upper control arm need to be removed or loosened. Ive done it multiple times
     
  19. Nov 8, 2021 at 11:00 AM
    #39
    trabo

    trabo [OP] Well-Known Member

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