Need advice on front strut install

[rotorhed1]

I'm in the middle of installing the ToyTec/OME lift. I got the old front strut out on one side and the new OME spring and shock assy with small spacer in on the top and the nuts started.

I've been trying for a couple of hours now to get the lower control arm to drop far enough down to get the lower shock bolt installed. I can't even get the shock to get near. Tried all sorts of pry bars, I even have a ratchet strap on the spring to compress it a bit.

Any ideas? Or am I doing something wrong? If I can't get this I'll end up putting the stock parts back on and taking it to a shop. I was quoted $500 for the job, really wanted to do it myself and spend the $ on a bumper.

Thanks

[1911]

rotorhed1 previously said:

I'm in the middle of installing the ToyTec/OME lift. I got the old front strut out on one side and the new OME spring and shock assy with small spacer in on the top and the nuts started.

I've been trying for a couple of hours now to get the lower control arm to drop far enough down to get the lower shock bolt installed. I can't even get the shock to get near. Tried all sorts of pry bars, I even have a ratchet strap on the spring to compress it a bit.

Any ideas? Or am I doing something wrong? If I can't get this I'll end up putting the stock parts back on and taking it to a shop. I was quoted $500 for the job, really wanted to do it myself and spend the $ on a bumper.

Thanks

Two things:

1) Take out the two 19mm bolts that attach the lower A-arm to the spindle. This will make it easier to depress the lower A-arm. Be sure to torque them back to 100 ft-lbs when you are done, and some Loctite wouldn't hurt.

2) Get the longest pry bar you have and put the end under the lower A-arm pivot bolt and the bar itself over the top of the lower A-arm. You can then depress it way more than enough to get the coilover in and adjust the holes to line up so you can get the lower shock bolt through.

PM if you want and I'll give you my phone number and talk you through it. I've done that four times now, the latest yesterday.

[rotorhed1]

Thanks 1911!!!! The instructions I got with the kit had me pop the lower ball joint loose, but not the bolts you mentioned.

Going out to try that now.

Brian

[rotorhed1]

Bingo!!!!!!!

Getting the crowbar in the correct place really helped as well as removing the two bolts. Got the drivers side in. Now I'll continue to the right side. Then football and a beer. rear lift will wait for Sunday morning I think.

Thanks again!

[1911]

rotorhed1 previously said:

Bingo!!!!!!!

Getting the crowbar in the correct place really helped as well as removing the two bolts. Got the drivers side in. Now I'll continue to the right side. Then football and a beer. rear lift will wait for Sunday morning I think.

Thanks again!

No problem; I struggled with that the first time too.

You might have to use the same crowbar technique on the upper A-arm to get the bottom A-arm and spindle to line up enough to get the two 19mm bolts lined up enough to start them back in.

BTW the rear is a piece of cake compared to the front - very easy. The hardest part of the rear is getting the shocks top mounts off. It's way easier if you use a strap wrench around the top dust cover of the shock to immobilize it then it is to get a wrench on the top shock stud.

[rotorhed1]

To be honest, and fair to ToyTec... the instructions clearly state to remove the ball joint bracket. My error! For some reason I really struggled with reading the instructions on this. I am used to manuals writen by Germans and Swiss, they just "flow" in a differant way.

While I feel a bit silly for my error, I'm glad I asked the question here, rather than wasting more time.

Checked my Toyota manual and it calls for 118 Ft/Lbs on the 2 ball joint bracket bolts. I just stuck the floor jack under the lower control arm and it went right up into place. It's above freezing and sunny out, think I'll open the garage door and do the other side now.