Easiest Strut Replacement Method with KDSS

Hi guys, I’m new to the forum and new to owning a 4Runner. I only have 6000 miles on my vehicle, but I dislike the stock suspension and plan to do some off-roading and over landing so it’s getting Bilstein 6112 in the front, 5160s in the back, new Bilstein coils all around, as well as Bilstein upper control arms.

So my question specifically has to do with disconnecting the front sway bar from the lower control arm. I thought I remember reading about not being able to do that easily but I can’t find that info again. Is there an easier way than disconnecting the front tie rod? It seems like the only other option to have room here. Thoughts? Thank you!

 

Really? No one wrench on there machines on here?

 

Hit up YouTube.. have seen videos dealing with kdss

 

I’ll take that as a no lol

 

I just did my rear springs without disconnecting the sway but didn’t want to deal with the front so I had a shop do it.

 

Ok I got it done. Easiest way for all you Kdss owners to do the front struts is to take everything apart as the non KDSS 4runner, leave the tie rods attached but I remove the upper control arms since I was replacing them too. This gave me enough room to pull out the strut and get the new one in.
If you were not replacing the UCAs I would probably just disconnect the tie rod. Use a clamp style puller, not a fork or you will tear the boot. If the tie rod spins when you go to tighten the tie rod bolt, put a jack under the tie rod and jack it up for some tension. It should hold still for you.
For whatever reason the sway bar was a bit in the way for the passenger side and did not allow for as much clearance as the drivers side (done first) so I put a jack on the sway bar mount where it is attached to the frame on that side and dropped it down a bit to gain clearance. I know it can be a pain to disconnect the sway bar from the control arm so that's why I did it that way and it worked out great. Took me pretty much all day with help to do it but I was able to get it back together in one day. I'm not a mechanic but not afraid to work on things so your time may vary.

 

Oh, that time included removing the strut mounts from my old struts because the Bilstein 6112s don't come with it and compressing the new springs and attaching them to the new struts. This was more of a pain than I anticipated and help was much appreciated to have someone hold everything while tightening the spring compressors. Be patient here, you need to do this by hand because it is too dangerous with an impact wrench.

 

Sorry, I'm late to your party but, no, I didnt remove the sway bar when changing out my stock squishy bits.

 

awesome! I just loosened up my LCA bolts and dropped it out bottom. Easy peasy.
How do you like those Bilstein UCAs?

 

I’m not sure yet, I was replacing the rear but Summit Racing sent me 2 shocks for the drivers’ side so I’m waiting. I will also probably let her sit in the garage for a week to settle a bit before I get an alignment and I’ll let you know.

 

shocks fit on either side, theres no fixed left or right. Driving it around helps it settle faster

 

Post some pics of your ride when everything is done

 

The rear are not, or maybe it is just the 5160s but they are side specific.

 

OP @Dusty45701
Impressive work, nice to see another non mechanic get er done. Sadly I really never had any automotive folks in my family, so posts like this (I also have KDSS) really help me build my knowledge. I have an SPC new improved sealed balljoint replacement kit waiting in the queue, got the hammer got the separator tool, just need the balls to send it haha
There's certainly many skilled wrenchers here, I think it's just easy for posts like yours to get buried in the list before a reply comes in.
Watching Thread

 

i missed the 5160 part.

 

did those UCAs come with a cap to protect the top of the ball joint from debris where the grease fitting is?