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Front strut won’t line up

Discussion in '5th Gen 4Runner Parts Marketplace (2010-2024)' started by typark, Mar 9, 2020.

  1. Mar 9, 2020 at 4:11 PM
    #1
    typark

    typark [OP] New Member

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    I’m having trouble lining up the hole for the front strut up to the lower control arm. I was told just putting a screw driver in the bottom whole and just forcing it to rotate against the 3 screws in the top hat but I’m having trouble. Is there another way to get it to rotate or a technique to use the screw driver that I’m not getting? It keeps “jumping” and it doesn’t slowly rotate to a better position.

    80A3BAB9-7BF2-46D6-A122-5DC37D34F86D.jpg
     
  2. Mar 9, 2020 at 4:24 PM
    #2
    nimby

    nimby in the drink

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    Are you using a jack handle to leverage the lower control arm down further? If not, give that a try so that you push the lca shock mount down further than the bottom of the shock itself. Then you might be able to rotate it.

    The 3 bolts up top shouldn't be preventing you from spinning the strut itself. Maybe loosen the upper shock mount slightly (the nut in the center between the 3 bolts). That might help things spin.
     
    Bob likes this.
  3. Mar 9, 2020 at 4:36 PM
    #3
    typark

    typark [OP] New Member

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    I already have the strut in the mount with the 3 bolts however it doesn’t seem to rotate. I tried using a jack stand handle and ended up bending the handle. I’m going to try loosening up the center bolt as you say and see if that works.
     
  4. Mar 9, 2020 at 4:38 PM
    #4
    typark

    typark [OP] New Member

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    8D0158DC-1D94-474A-9CD8-ECFAFDBF5E30.jpg
     
  5. Mar 9, 2020 at 4:38 PM
    #5
    nimby

    nimby in the drink

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    Loosen it a little bit. Not all the way.
     
  6. Mar 9, 2020 at 4:48 PM
    #6
    nimby

    nimby in the drink

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    Are your struts pre-assembled or are you doing the no compressor method?
     
    Last edited: Mar 9, 2020
  7. Mar 9, 2020 at 5:05 PM
    #7
    typark

    typark [OP] New Member

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    So I tried loosening the top nut almost the entire way, being careful not to kill myself but it still doesn’t let me rotate the lower hole easily. It still “jumps” and isn’t allowing me to do small adjustments
     
  8. Mar 9, 2020 at 5:09 PM
    #8
    nimby

    nimby in the drink

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    So your struts are pre-assembled then, right?
     
  9. Mar 9, 2020 at 5:10 PM
    #9
    typark

    typark [OP] New Member

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    Somewhat? I got a local ntb to assemble them for me
     
  10. Mar 9, 2020 at 5:17 PM
    #10
    nimby

    nimby in the drink

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    I don't have experience working with pre-assembled struts so I'm not sure if there are any tricks or tips to get it to rotate, other than what's been mentioned already. Maybe someone who's done that type of installation can chime in.

    The only thing I can think of is to safely disassemble the struts (only if you have the capability to do so yourself) and then install the struts and coils using the no spring compressor method. That way you'll have the ability to spin the shock and coil into place while you're right there. If you can't disassemble them safely, then have the shop that put them together do so.

    But hopefully someone experienced with assembled struts will chime in.

    Best of luck.
     
    typark[QUOTED][OP] likes this.
  11. Mar 9, 2020 at 6:19 PM
    #11
    Dark Knight

    Dark Knight Get off my lawn

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    Take them back to ntb and have them align it how they need to be. Best safest option.
     
    typark[OP] likes this.
  12. Mar 11, 2020 at 6:34 PM
    #12
    nimby

    nimby in the drink

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    Did you figure this out @typark ?
     
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  13. Mar 11, 2020 at 9:23 PM
    #13
    typark

    typark [OP] New Member

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    Yes I did, thanks for checking up on me! I ended taking dark knights advice and I just took them back for them to readjust them. Going to discount tires tomorrow to finish the build with new tires and rims
     
    nimby[QUOTED], travieb1 and DrewMan like this.

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