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How to: Front shock/spring removal

Discussion in 'Suspension' started by chris4x4, Mar 28, 2009.

  1. Mar 28, 2009 at 5:38 PM
    #1
    chris4x4

    chris4x4 [OP] With sufficient thrust, pigs fly just fine. Moderator

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    Removing the front shocks/springs on the second gen Tacoma is a pretty easy task. You will need a small assortment of basic hand tools.
    Hammer
    Metric sockets (1/4" & 3/8"): 17mm, 19mm, 14mm
    3/8" ratchet wrench
    1/4" ratchet wrench
    14mm ratcheting open/box wrench
    19mm open wrench
    Needle nose pliers.

    Torque for the 3 top nuts is: 47 ft-lbs
    Lower shock bolt/nut: 61 ft-lbs
    Sway bar nut: 52 ft-lbs

    First, jack up the front of the truck and remove both front tires:

    [​IMG]

    Then, remove the 17mm swaybar end link:

    [​IMG]

    Then, remove the 19mm castle nut holding the upper ball joint to the spindle. You will need to use the needle nose pliers to remove the retaining wire. Once this is removed, wire or zip tie the spindle so as to not let it pull or put tension on the brake lines:

    [​IMG]

    Then, you want to remove the 3 14mm nuts on the top plate. DO NOT REMOVE THE CENTER NUT.

    [​IMG]

    Then, remove the 19mm lower shock mount bolt, and nut. You may need to tap this bolt out, once the nut is removed:

    [​IMG]

    Then, Remove the shock/spring assembly:

    [​IMG]

    Reinstall the lift or coilover of your choice in the reverse order.
    :)

    I accidentaly deleted the pics, so until I can get new ones use these links:
     
  2. Mar 28, 2009 at 5:45 PM
    #2
    brianr

    brianr go shit in your hat

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    badass buddy!

    good write up.

    having a shindig w/o me though...thats harsh.
     
  3. Mar 28, 2009 at 5:48 PM
    #3
    chris4x4

    chris4x4 [OP] With sufficient thrust, pigs fly just fine. Moderator

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    Sorry, Buddy. I thought you were working? :( You would have enjoyed it. Matt almost had to stop me from beating a "Tech" at Pep boys....maybe He'll chime in and tell the story. :D
     
    gregzz likes this.
  4. Mar 28, 2009 at 5:49 PM
    #4
    tacoma08MZ

    tacoma08MZ Well-Known Member

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    Wow, thats way easier than i thought it would be! Ill be doin this by myself when i throw out the spacer lift, thanks chris!
     
  5. Mar 28, 2009 at 5:49 PM
    #5
    duckcmdr

    duckcmdr If it flies it dies!!

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    Damn Brian I thought that was your truck for a minute. thought you got some new toys:D
     
  6. Mar 28, 2009 at 5:49 PM
    #6
    DeeKay21

    DeeKay21 Lieutenant Dan.

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    Looking good! Good job guys!!!:cheers:
     
  7. Mar 28, 2009 at 5:50 PM
    #7
    Brunes

    Brunes abides.

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    I wanna hear to tech beating story!!

    Nice Write up Chris-What I figured it would be to get the job done...Nice to see someone else do it first tho!!
     
    gregzz likes this.
  8. Mar 28, 2009 at 6:20 PM
    #8
    chris4x4

    chris4x4 [OP] With sufficient thrust, pigs fly just fine. Moderator

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    Well, We took the stock shocks/springs to Pep Boys to have them swap the new OME 885 springs and Bilstien 5100 shocks. We dropped them off, and left to go assemble Matts new TC UCA's. We needed a different size grease zerk for one of the arms, so we headed back to Pep Boys. We got the parts, hung out for a bit, then, while we were on aisle 9a, my phone rings, it was Pep Boys telling me the shocks were finished. We stroll over to the counter, and the dude says, "Here ya go!" with a big grin on his face. The Top Plates were on crooked, and Im looking at them and notice, that they assembled them without the bushings or washers!!! The service dude, says "Oh...sorry about that, I'll go get it fixed"....I told him I want to go back there and show the dude how to build them....he started to mumble something, but I was already walking back there. So I see this fat ass trying to work the spring compressor, and he asked "whats wrong with them?"....I about LOST IT! I told him "They need to have the bushings installed, washeres, and the spring is installed wrong". The manager was right there, and he looked at the tech and said "You should have known better! How many of these have you done?". Well, I showed both of them how to do it. Matts Top Plate was gouged as the top nut was installed without a bushing or washer, and it was gouging the Top Plate. Idiots. I was pissed.
     
    gregzz and SandyTaco4x4 like this.
  9. Mar 28, 2009 at 6:33 PM
    #9
    TicTacOma

    TicTacOma UnderWater Monopoly Champion

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    It's all in my head at the moment...
    So if you had an aftermarket setup that was a complete shock/spring assembly like ToyTecs Ultimate Kit where you didn't need to "build" the shock/spring.....It would just slide right back in there, correct?
     
  10. Mar 28, 2009 at 6:35 PM
    #10
    Brunes

    Brunes abides.

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    If you mean- You buy a completely assembled coilover then...yes. Just take the old one out and put the new one in.

    That's pretty sad Chris- I'd be pissed. I'm glad that I'll get to help with mine when the time comes...
     
  11. Mar 28, 2009 at 8:16 PM
    #11
    brianr

    brianr go shit in your hat

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    haha, we need to have a cigar meet soon.



    sorry Joe, no new toys for me. I'm looking at new tires right now though. Maybe wheels if I find a good deal.
     
  12. Mar 28, 2009 at 9:02 PM
    #12
    DanGer

    DanGer Avatar approved by 98tacomav6

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    Hey chris, is it really just that striaght forward to put on the 5100's? I know you need an alignment
     
  13. Mar 28, 2009 at 9:39 PM
    #13
    chris4x4

    chris4x4 [OP] With sufficient thrust, pigs fly just fine. Moderator

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    Its just that easy. Take the springs and shocks to a place to have them installed, if you dont have a spring compressor. If you take it some place, make sure the reinstall everything propperly.
     
  14. Mar 29, 2009 at 2:32 AM
    #14
    rossk35

    rossk35 Do Work Son!

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    Instead of unbolting the ball joint why not just remove the top control arm. Its easier that way which is the way I do it on the 5 lug tacomas when installing a drop kit.
     
  15. Mar 29, 2009 at 4:58 AM
    #15
    longbow

    longbow I see you now..................

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    That's a great write up, I was wondering how easy that was, looks like I will add my new coilovers myself............
     
  16. Mar 29, 2009 at 5:41 AM
    #16
    Packman73

    Packman73 ^^^^ 3%er ^^^^

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    Looks like I'm late to the party.

    Pep Boys sucks.
    Chris is awesome.
     
  17. Mar 29, 2009 at 5:57 AM
    #17
    TicTacOma

    TicTacOma UnderWater Monopoly Champion

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    ^^ You can still bring the chips and dip.....
     
  18. Mar 29, 2009 at 6:13 AM
    #18
    Packman73

    Packman73 ^^^^ 3%er ^^^^

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    Well, ok.... but what am I to do with all these hookers then...? Um, nevermind.
     
  19. Mar 29, 2009 at 6:15 AM
    #19
    brianr

    brianr go shit in your hat

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    damn, thats where they are all are...you are hording them over there near 7th St.
     
  20. Mar 29, 2009 at 6:18 AM
    #20
    Packman73

    Packman73 ^^^^ 3%er ^^^^

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    7th St hookers...mmmmm.
     

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