Shock replacement 101

I have a 98 4X4 V6 and I want to replace the shocks. It seems the shocks
should be really easy to change, especially in the back. I haven't bought
the shocks yet, but once I remove the old shocks, will the new one's be the
right length, or do I have to stretch or compress them to lineup? Do I
even need to jack the truck up for the rears?

Also, my friend said I need a spring compressor for the fronts shocks, as
the spring is under tension. I thought that was only a problem with struts.
This appears to be a shock with the spring set into a flange on the outside.
It seems to me just using a jack should allow me to move the wheel up and
down to release the tension and replace the shock?

I know these two questions sounds sort of elementary, but hell. I don't
know the answer.. LOL

Joel



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Joel wrote:[color=blue]
> I have a 98 4X4 V6 and I want to replace the shocks. It seems the
> shocks should be really easy to change, especially in the back. I haven't
> bought the shocks yet, but once I remove the old shocks, will the new
> one's
> be the right length, or do I have to stretch or compress them to lineup?
> Do I even need to jack the truck up for the rears?
>[/color]

If they are gas charged shocks then they will expand on their own and need
to be compressed to fit. Most gas shocks come with a band on them that can
be cut after installing or compressed by hand if the band is cut. Some are
hard to compress by hand so the easiest and safest method is to install them
before cutting the band. This may require jacking the truck until the
suspension is fully extended, place on stands and use jack under spring pad
or diff. tube to raise as necessary.
[color=blue]
> Also, my friend said I need a spring compressor for the fronts
> shocks, as the spring is under tension. I thought that was only a problem
> with
> struts. This appears to be a shock with the spring set into a flange on
> the
> outside. It seems to me just using a jack should allow me to move the
> wheel up
> and down to release the tension and replace the shock?
>[/color]

If the spring isn't attached to the shock but to the upper and lower A-arms
then you are correct, you don't need a spring compression tool. If the
flange is attached to the shock then it is a strut and you will need a
compression tool. If yours does have struts, which I think it does, then
there may still be tension on the spring when A-arm is full extended. With
front on stands, you may be able to support the lower A-arm with a jack,
unbolt the strut at the top and lower enough to relieve this tension. If so,
mark the lower mounting brackets with paint or scratch awl where the strut
attaches before removing strut assembly. This way you can reinstall assembly
to the line you made and alignment will be close enough not to cause damage
for a short time, that is long enough to get to an alignment shop. On struts
you will need an alignment after replacing. Some parts stores have loaner
tools and some will R&R the springs if you buy the shock/struts from them.
Some shops will R&R the springs for a nominal fee. If the spring pads are
plastic it is a good idea to replace them as well.
[color=blue]
> I know these two questions sounds sort of elementary, but hell. I
> don't know the answer.. LOL
>
> Joel
>[/color]

I hope you take this advice seriously, if you are a novice on struts then
this is not the place to gain experience without an experienced person to
help you. The energy in a compressed spring can cause serious to fatal
injuries. Also, do not try to R&R the springs without the proper tools, I've
seen jury-rigs slip and the stored energy in a spring is uncontrollable.
Spray all bolts, threads and etc. with a good penetrant, like PB Blaster or
Kroil, a couple times before, starting a day ahead if possible.
HTH, Dave

Joel wrote:[color=blue]
>
> I have a 98 4X4 V6 and I want to replace the shocks. It seems the shocks
> should be really easy to change, especially in the back. I haven't bought
> the shocks yet, but once I remove the old shocks, will the new one's be the
> right length, or do I have to stretch or compress them to lineup? Do I
> even need to jack the truck up for the rears?
>
> Also, my friend said I need a spring compressor for the fronts shocks, as
> the spring is under tension. I thought that was only a problem with struts.
> This appears to be a shock with the spring set into a flange on the outside.
> It seems to me just using a jack should allow me to move the wheel up and
> down to release the tension and replace the shock?
>
> I know these two questions sounds sort of elementary, but hell. I don't
> know the answer.. LOL
>
> Joel
>
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> [url]http://www.newsfeeds.com[/url] The #1 Newsgroup Service in the World! 120,000+ Newsgroups
> ----= East and West-Coast Server Farms - Total Privacy via Encryption =----[/color]

Joel,

You will need a spring compressor for the 4X4 front shocks. If you
aren't comfortable with spring compressors (and they should be treated
w/respect as a slip can land you in the ER) you can remove the
coil/shock unit and have a shop do the shock swap for you.

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Mike Harris
Austin, TX

Wait, now I'm confused. You mean the shock and spring come out together
with the spring still compressed? It looks to me like on a 98 Tacoma 4X4
the spring is over the shock and only attached to the shock at the bottom?
So I can remove the shock and spring together then I have to have the spring
compressor to separate the two? Hmm, I see all sorts of posts on here for
people replacing shocks on 98's so I would be interesting to know for sure.
While I don't have a problem taking the truck or shock/spring assembly to
the shop. I just don't want to waste my money, as it sure looks like the
shock isn't built like a strut.

Joel

"harriswest" <harriswest@sbcglobal.net> wrote in message
news:441F8540.A4FA2382@sbcglobal.net...[color=blue]
>
>[/color]



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"Joel" <Joel@cyberbest.com> wrote in message
news:1143080531_383@sp6iad.superfeed.net...[color=blue]
> Wait, now I'm confused. You mean the shock and spring come out together
> with the spring still compressed? It looks to me like on a 98 Tacoma 4X4
> the spring is over the shock and only attached to the shock at the bottom?
> So I can remove the shock and spring together then I have to have the
> spring compressor to separate the two? Hmm, I see all sorts of posts on
> here for people replacing shocks on 98's so I would be interesting to know
> for sure. While I don't have a problem taking the truck or shock/spring
> assembly to the shop. I just don't want to waste my money, as it sure
> looks like the shock isn't built like a strut.
>
> Joel[/color]

Yes, the shock and spring are together, just like a strut.

[color=blue][color=green]
>> Wait, now I'm confused. You mean the shock and spring come out together
>> with the spring still compressed? It looks to me like on a 98 Tacoma 4X4
>> the spring is over the shock and only attached to the shock at the
>> bottom? So I can remove the shock and spring together then I have to have
>> the spring compressor to separate the two? Hmm, I see all sorts of posts
>> on here for people replacing shocks on 98's so I would be interesting to
>> know for sure. While I don't have a problem taking the truck or
>> shock/spring assembly to the shop. I just don't want to waste my money,
>> as it sure looks like the shock isn't built like a strut.
>>
>> Joel[/color]
>
> Yes, the shock and spring are together, just like a strut.[/color]

Joel,

What he said. The 2WD are much simpler, not needing a spring compressor,
but the 4WD (and IIRC the 2WD 4-Runners) both have the shock/spring together
as a unit.

You remove the shock/spring as an assembly then either disassemble on the
bench with a spring compressor or have a shop dismantle the unit and replace
the shock for you.

This was discussed at length a while back in the Toy_Coma group (see below
for link).

You do have a factory shop manual, no? Not cheap, but money well spent
IMHO.

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--
Mike Harris
Austin, TX