Fox Trd Pro shocks install mistake

Hi everyone,

I have what may be a no brainer question, but I would appreciate all your expertise on the matter. Because a mechanic made me feel like I was stupid today. I went to a reputable, well known 4x4 shop who does A LOT of suspension work to install my Trd pro Fox shocks (front & rear) PTR61-89210-LF (left front) & PTR61-89210-RF (right front) plus an alignment.

Checking out the work I noticed the shock designated as LF was installed on the passenger side and the shock designated RF was installed on the drivers side. When I questioned him about it, at first he seemed surprised and then took a look. He told me it didn’t matter and said it has to be right because he can’t turn the shock around because it wouldn’t fit right. He also suggested that when the shock was assembled, they may have mixed it up. He also started to talk about spring compression rates and lean due to the gas tank, blah blah, blah.

One other thing to note, before install I noticed that the shock designated RF has a lower set pre lift collar than the LF shock. That tells me they are designated LF & RF for a reason even though they both share the same part number.

All that being said the Runner feels good and drives good and the final alignment specs were spot on. What do you all think? Is he right? Or should I go back and insist the shocks be switched?
Thanks!

 

On the non-KDSS models like the Pro, the left side is supposed to have more preload to compensate for lean so they should probably be switched to the proper side. That's how they were designed. You should measure how much lean there is with them backwards.

 

This is my understanding as well. Give it a day or two for springs to settle and measure.

 

I will do that. I never really noticed the drivers side lean before, but now that I’m looking I do see the lean. It’s definitely noticeable. Thanks for replying, sounds right to me.

 

LF for driver’s side and RD for passenger’s side. It’s side specific for the lean.

 

G

Yes, thank you!

 

What is the best way to measure the lean? Same as measuring for lift height at each wheel well?

 

center of the wheel to the lil of the fender, that way tire pressure and size doesn’t factor in.

 

Filthy suggested a version of the following after my king install to measure height:

Break them in, actually use them
Make sure the measurement is taken coming to a slow, rolling stop on a flat surface for accuracy
Measure hub to fender,

 

Also, make them switch it! It’s an obvious mistake. If he were a decent mechanic he would have noticed during install and called you. A manufacturing defect should be dealt with at your discretion, not his. What if other components are wrong too? My guess is he missed it during install and doesn’t want to eat the labor cost.

 

Okay, thank you for that.

 

That's exactly right. He didn't look at the parts (although clearly labeled) and assumed they were the same like the stock shocks. which blows my mind because this is what they do every day. Then he didn't want to correct it because he just finished the job (with alignment) and probably had another install to do. when he said it didn't matter and they couldn't be switched, I asked him several times if he was absolutely 100% sure and he insisted he was. And he just used the manufacturing defect as one of his excuses. "They might have switched the R&L pre load collars by mistake" Yeah, not likely. (btw, the part # and the RF, LF designation is written in white lettering on the black pre load collar) its actually hard to miss.
I'm going back today to tell them I want this corrected.

 

Thanks! will post after battle, lol

 

good luck man
they need to switch them around it says it right on the shocks so people that install them at the port for Toyota would know left from right side.

 

I can’t find the online install guide for the 4Runner but this is from guide for a TRD Pro Fox Tacoma which illustrates similarly what is required for the 4Runner units.

 

Mind if I ask is that "well known 4x4 shop" is a Toyota specialized shop? Below are the shops I go to which are Toyota specialized 4x4 shops.

 

“You did the job wrong. You fix it.”

That should be the only conversation you should be having with your guy right now.

 

Truth, Thanks!

 

I measured both center of the wheel to the lower part of the fender & ground to fender.

 

That's exactly how they are labeled, also with a larger "L" and "R" in front of the PT# so its actually in two places on each shock. I will take this with me. Thanks!

 

I wonder since shop is not making money re-doing it would they do a "don't care" job correcting it? Resulting any damages or scratches? Unless shop is genuinely want to do it right apologizing their mistake.

 

I would assume that this would come out in the conversation to remedy the situation.

If the guy becomes dismissive and says that there is no difference, you’re overreacting, they just put that there is a guideline, then you probably will have to go someplace else and pay them to fix it.

 

It's not a specialized Toyota shop, they work on all makes. They were working on a Tacoma while I was there and I saw a lifted Rubicon and a Ram pick up outside also. I will look into specialized shops in the future. Thanks!

 

I think that's pretty much how it's going to go, except I'm an Italian from the Bronx so it'll probably be more like "Youse better fix it" LOL
Thanks!

 

Thanks Kmeeg, couldn't hurt. I will do both...

 

I thought of this myself. I will definitely check her out on completion of the work and maybe take some before photos. And maybe for peace of mind, take it to another shop, just to have them inspect the install and make sure everything is good. I'll see what their attitude is like this afternoon.

 

yeah, I agree. I'll see how the conversation goes, and what his attitude is like.

 

As a fellow Italian from the Bronx OP next time go to Pearl River Automotive (Pearl River NY) in Rockland County. I have had a lot of suspension work there and these guys are through but they are not specialists in “Toyotas”. They have done multiple Bilstein, spacer, and Eibach lifts on my various Toyota’s. Recently I had them do the rear shackles on my Tundra. I bring them the directions and they read over everything…never had any issues with any of their work (aftermarket lifts).

 

Hey Thanks! I will keep that in mind, I’m up that way a lot. I almost bought a 4Runner from Mariano Rivera’s son at Rivera Toyota. The sales manager was a bit overly aggressive and pushy, so I passed. Rivera Jr. was clearly not the boss, but a much nicer guy. Probably a lot like his Father I imagine. I felt bad about passing on him, but I couldn’t deal with that Manager.

 

Update: went back to the shop, explained everything to them. No debate or bad attitude, he just said if you want me to switch them I’ll switch them. Complete turnaround from the day before. Made an appointment for next week. I feel okay with it. I crawled under the truck today, before I went back to the shop, to inspect more closely. Everything he did looks good to me (except for the mix up) and the rears are installed correctly. I’ll take some measurements this weekend.

Thanks for all the responses! Totally helped my confidence being armed with knowledge.