Removing coils without compressor?

There was a thread on here that showed how to remove the coils off the stock struts on here and I searched and cant find it. Anyone know where it is?

 

It can be done. You have to load the front suspension by means of a jack under the LCA. You then must mark and note the position of the LCA bolts and loosen them DO NOT REMOVE them. You then remove the three top plate bolts and one strut bolt and lower the suspension slowly. The only down fall is getting the LCA bolts in the previous position. There is a thread in reference to this but I don't recall where I saw it.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vkVLBOnAifc

Not 1st gen but gives you an idea.

 

I saw that, ill probably give that a try then once my 5100s come in. Thanks! but i wanna see that thread on here cause it looked like a better method.

 

Having used coil spring compressors at several shops before, the method in the video actually looks significantly safer. No lie.

 

damn. good luck

 

At least chain the coils to something and stand clear if you're gonna do it the ghetto way. I wouldn't dare try it myself. There's a lot of stored energy there.

 

Haha yeah i was thinking itd be more expensive to take to a shop and if their was a safe way to do it i would just do it. i called around and got some good prices so ill just take em somewhere.

 

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/suspension/211535-billstein-5100-easy-install-method.html

 

x 10000000

I did this to put my eibachs on my 5100's on my old truck, it's extremely easy, and extremely safe, there is no way that coil is coming out at you!

 

Bingo....

 

i rented coil compressors from autozone. they were a $55 down payment but i got all my money back when i returned them

 

I've done a method similar to this numerous times on tacomas and tundras.

More likely to lose limbs with the POS compressor from autozone.

Safest way to do it is have a shop swap the springs. I never once felt it was sketchy or felt at risk doing it this way.

If anyone in Tucson needs help let me know. Easy peasy.

 

I saw this a while back and though it was a pretty good idea if you had a shop press to use.
http://www.fjcruiserforums.com/foru...1265-alternative-coil-spring-compressors.html

 

I couldn't even focus on that video because of the macintosh man's voice. It cracks me up every time.

 

I have a 2nd gen, but can't imagine the 1st gen being any different (or any other car for that matter.. suspensions are pretty similar across the board unless you have leaf springs up front).

I'm not a mechanic by any means, but I know what a wrench is and how to use it. I followed the video verbatim... I'm typing this reply now.. so i didn't lose any fingers or limbs. If you're going to attempt DIY, don't rush, be safe, and follow exactly what the video says and you'll be fine.

IMO:
1) I saved money by doing it myself
2) I know it was done right, b/c I did it myself
3) It was a learning experience because I learned more about my truck that I would have otherwise shrugged off because I paid someone else to have the fun
4) I agree with others... this method IS safer (and probably quicker) than the rental spring compressors (as long as you do everything in order of the video).

Feel free to PM me if you have any questions about the experience

 

X Elevendy million!

I just did this method today. It's almost derp how safe and easy it is.

 

i would go with this route or just buy a set from sears. it's come with lifetime warranty if it ever breaks(mine did once). i've put it to good use so it's money well spent.

 

Ended up taking to a shop, but how did you get the center bolt on the strut to come off? Mine just kept spinning with the shock?

Haha yeah i probably should but i guess that method works without em

 

You hold the strut shaft with a 7 or 8mm open-end box wrench or small crescent.

Actually removal was easy. But reinstall was a bitch. I couldn't loosen the cam bolts. So I used ratchet straps and verbal abuse to pull the lca down to line up the hole for the bottom strut bolt..

Next time going to the shop fer sure.