Shock back into control arm?!

Trying to install a spacer lift, I got to the part where I put the spacer onto the spring/shock and went to put it all back together. Now I can’t get the shock back into the control arm. I didn’t loosen anything when I took it out. I can’t get the two 19mm bolts out of the control arm and ball joint. I’m stuck.

I also tried taking off the spacer but that didn’t seem to help at all.

 

There's a lot of different ways to skin this cat. Usually what I do is disconnect my tie-rod end, the upper ball-joint, and if you don't have KDSS then also the sway-bar end-link, then I can push down on the hub/LCA to squeeze the bottom off the coilover in. Loosening the LCA>Subframe bolts (they're camber bolts for adjustment) will make this a lot easier too, but it'll screw up your alignment. You'll likely need an alignment for this anyway though.

 

Sounds like you might not have an impact gun. A 4runner is the perfect excuse to get one, or two . If you are already invested in cordless tools, picking up a half inch gun is not too horrible, if your brand has decent guns.

either that or spend for a decent breaker bar. Either way, that lower control arm needs to swing down, which requires you detach it from the spindle, and loosen the two bolts that hold it on the frame. You might be able to leave it tight at the frame and just flex the rubber bushings there, but the bushings probably should be really reset to the new ride height (tighten them down with weight on wheels) so they arent tensioned at rest.

edit: this is how i did mine suspension install.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=CmjVHhuT1vU

It’s very quick. You can mark your alignment eccentric bolts so you put them back if they move. This approach by far seemed the simplest. And makes it easier to align the shock eye to slide the bolt back in. Make sure you pay attention to the side where the lower shock bolt goes. You’ll also need a big torque wrench to button everything down