Toyota shocks

[M35A2]

I picked up my new rear shocks and radiator today from Toyota.

I fitted the shocks this afternoon. To aid anyone who has the Hard/Soft suspension like me, this is how to remove them. It helps if you have got a big bottle jack or similar to jack the truck up on one side, to make more room underneath.

1) Undo the two 10mm bolts on the actuator at the top of the shock.

2) Lift the top of the actuator off, complete with the wiring and place to one side.

3) Using a long 17mm socket, remove the nylock nut from inside the bottom half actuator bracket whilst holding the top of the shock to stop it turning.

4) Lift the bottom bracket clear.

5) Using a 17mm socket, undo the bolt at the bottom of the shock.

6) Pull the shock down to clear the chassis, then remove the shock.

7) Remove all the rubber bushes fitted to the original and replace with new ones supplied.

8) Re-fit shock, in reverse order to removal.


I had to scratch my head to start with, as I wasn't sure about how to remove the actuator. Not having a workshop manual, I didn't want to strip the actuator, as I wasn't sure if there were any springs inside, etc. But no worries. After working it out, the second one took me half an hour.

I found it easier to tighten the bottom bolt half way first, to seat the bushes, then refit the top bushes, actuator bracket, and actuator, tightening the bottom bolt all the way last.


I will be fitting my new rad tomorrow, if the weather is good.

[marky]

Good info matey as im replacing mine shortly.

[M35A2]

Good info matey as im replacing mine shortly.

Glad to help. When you first get underneath, you can't see how they come off because of the actuator. The offside is a bit tricky, as the diesel tank and load sensing valve get in the way. You have to undo the 10mm bolts and nylock nut by feel, as you can't see what you are doing. I used a mirror to aid me in this.

I took her out for a test run, and they have made quite a substantial difference. Especially in hard mode. She is as stiff as a porn stars c**k now!!


This diagram might help you.

[charliemuttley]

The replacing of the shock unit i am fine with, my question is what did you do about setting the position of the servo/actuator unit against the adjuster shaft running into the shock? Surely you have to wind them one way then set the servo in hard mode or something?

[marky]

There is a slot in the actuator that lines up with the bit at the top of the shock. You need to line these up before bloting it down. Then off you go!

[charliemuttley]

I understand that, but how do you know what position the shocks are in when you attach the actuator? i.e whether they are in hard or soft position?
The way you explain it you just bung them on and they sort themselves out.

[NiftyNev]

I understand that, but how do you know what position the shocks are in when you attach the actuator? i.e whether they are in hard or soft position?
The way you explain it you just bung them on and they sort themselves out.

It's been a while since I looked at my old ones but this should help. The shock I think has a slot and the actuator a matching lug. Plug in actuators and switch to soft setting. Look at top of shock shaft and if necessary turn the shaft so it's in same position as actuator. Once you look at shock and actuator it should be clear what to do.

Hope that helps

Nev

[charliemuttley]

Oh, i pressumed the adjuster in the shock needed to turn all the way one way to be hard and all the way the other way to be soft. Does that mean when it turns 180 degrees it is soft, then another 180 is hard and so on??
Sorry to bash on about it but i don't want to do the job twice.

[M35A2]

I presume that when the shocks are new, they are preset to soft. Because you are able to push them in very easily when they are off the truck. All I did was fit them, line up the actuator and bolt down. I didn't really think about the problem you are talking about.

I then took it out for a test drive. In soft it's soft, and in hard its hard. Mine seems to be ok. I took it over some steep speed bumps to test it. I'm sure if one was hard and the other soft, I would have noticed it lurching to one side. The only other way I can think of, is if you put it on hard and soft, get on top of the rear bumper and bounce up and down on it, while some one is looking underneath to see if they both compress at the same rate?????

[charliemuttley]

Yeah- still unsure but cheers anyway mate.

[NiftyNev]

Oh, i pressumed the adjuster in the shock needed to turn all the way one way to be hard and all the way the other way to be soft. Does that mean when it turns 180 degrees it is soft, then another 180 is hard and so on??
Sorry to bash on about it but i don't want to do the job twice.

Yep. They turn 180 deg. Check by pluging in the actuators and watch while someone flicks the switch.

Nev