Front strut replacement

Dain Johnson

New Member
I'm having trouble reinstalling a front strut on a 2004 tacoma 4wd. Strut seems too long. I have the spring compressed, and still can't seat the strut on bottom mount. Any suggestions?
 
Have you tried using the F word and summon every last bit of baby strength you can muster? Usually helps...
What type of strut are you trying to install?
 
I'm having trouble reinstalling a front strut on a 2004 tacoma 4wd. Strut seems too long. I have the spring compressed, and still can't seat the strut on bottom mount. Any suggestions?
Yes ive changed a few and their always tight, put the top in first making sure the bolts line up correctly( so the bottom of the shock also lines up with the bucket mount) have a friend stand an the brake rotor and push down with all their weight while you slide the bottom of the shock into the mount. Could also use a pry bar between the lower control arm and the frame to pry the arm/ shock mount down to fit it. Its a pain in the ass if youve never done it. ImageUploadedByTaco Forum1457478693.530634.jpgImageUploadedByTaco Forum1457478704.398785.jpg
 
Mine is a bilstein on eibach coil, much harder to stuff in there than stock but same technique
 
When you go to website you have to plug in make year model, how many doors and if you got a winch bumper or not. Its better if you just go to site.
 
I'm in the process of replacing the front struts on my 2009 Tacoma..
How did you get your A-arm to drop down??? Did you remove your sway-bar??
 
I'm in the process of replacing the front struts on my 2009 Tacoma..
How did you get your A-arm to drop down??? Did you remove your sway-bar??
Yes remove the sway bar and didnt need to drop a arm much, left ball joints on too i just took the two lower arm bolts that mount it to the frame or whatever i can link you to a youtube guide that i followed. Take the sway bar off, take top three bolts on shock tower loose but not off( not the center bolt that holds shock in place), then take the two mounting bolts on bottom of lower arm off , then take out bolt in bottom of strut assembly and have a friend stand on brake caliper and push down as hard as they can while you slide old strut out. Reverse to put back in...... Check youtube for tutorial if you want but its fairly simple.
 
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Ok.... I guess you really have to remove that sway bar?? According to all the youtube vids... the a-arm should drop??? I'm thinking it might have some nasty crub holding it up from all the crud Pennsylvania applies to the roads during winter.
 
Ok.... I guess you really have to remove that sway bar?? According to all the youtube vids... the a-arm should drop??? I'm thinking it might have some nasty crub holding it up from all the crud Pennsylvania applies to the roads during winter.
Yea might be a pain to get off
 
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