strut question (I'm confused)

Sandman · 07-12-2007, 10:45 AM

Is the stock front shock on my 97 4runner also called a strut? Or, is the strut a separate component. The strut is built into the shock's housing, right?

When shopping the web for new front shocks for this truck, I often see pics of shocks that don't have the strut housing...what do you do with those?

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eric-the-red · 07-12-2007, 10:58 AM

Yes, the fronts are struts, aka coilovers, or coilover shocks. The actual shock is in the middle of the assembly. To replace the shocks the struts have to be disassembled, which requires a spring compressor.

Sandman · 07-12-2007, 11:20 AM

thanks for the quick reply
-so, after disasembly, I should be looking at 3 separate parts?

-coil spring
-strut
-shock

Let's say I buy new bilstein shocks for the front:
Am I replacing just the shock and re-using the original strut, or does the new shock housing have the strut built in so that I am down to 2 parts instead of 3?

Elton · 07-12-2007, 11:26 AM

no theres only 2 parts the spring and the strut

Elton · 07-12-2007, 11:29 AM

here this should give u a idea

top ones are struts

Sandman · 07-12-2007, 11:40 AM

Thanks Elton.
I've only had this truck a few weeks and don't even have a Haynes manual or FSM for it yet. I can't seem to find any write-ups regarding strut replacement -should I assume it's the same as a lift install?

Elton · 07-12-2007, 11:48 AM

the fronts are a snap i done all the shocks on my truck with very basic hand tools took me around a hour to take out the struts heres a how too http://www.4rnr.net/suspension.html

Sandman · 07-12-2007, 12:32 PM

thanks - I'll post up my results after I get my shocks & do the install.

GhostriderTx · 07-12-2007, 06:22 PM

It is a little confusing but it is a shock and you treat it like a strut for replacement. The diagram shows a part called suspension support. This piece is held down by the nut on the top shaft of the shock which is why you need a spring compressor to remove the shock. If you just undid the top nut the entire force of the spring would be released and that piece would disapear through your roof (or teeth). The only hard part is lining up the 3 bolts in the piece since they attach it to the truck with the lower bolt mount. If you don;t get it right then you recompress and turn the shock a little and try again. Some people have reported success with attaching the 3 top bolts and using a bar to turn the bottom into position.

GSGALLANT · 07-13-2007, 04:45 AM

4Runners don't have struts.

A strut combines the primary function of a shock absorber (as a damper), with the ability to support sideways loads, and eliminates the need for an upper suspension arm. This means that a strut must have a more rugged design, with mounting points near its middle. Struts are typically only used on vehicles with unibody design.

4Runners (3rd gen and up) have double wishbone suspension, with coil-over shocks.

Sandman · 07-16-2007, 08:53 PM

Well, I did all for corners on Saturday, and it is all much clearer now. One front shock was completely shot, but the others weren't too bad. The front was pretty easy compared to the rears! The upper nut was "rust-welded" on each rear shock, but I was able to snap them clean off.

07-12-2007, 11:20 AM	#3 (permalink)
Sandman Registered User Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 72	thanks for the quick reply -so, after disasembly, I should be looking at 3 separate parts? -coil spring -strut -shock Let's say I buy new bilstein shocks for the front: Am I replacing just the shock and re-using the original strut, or does the new shock housing have the strut built in so that I am down to 2 parts instead of 3? __________________ 90 4runner 4cyl-5spd, detroit lockers - 5.29 gears,All Pro hd rear coils, 25mm torsion bars, 2" bl,Warn manual hubs, 33s 99 4runner 6cyl auto RIP (hit a deer) 97 4runner V6-5spd 4x4, e-locker with 2wd/4wd mod, isr & airbox elbo mod

07-12-2007, 11:26 AM	#4 (permalink)
Elton Contributing Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Siletz,Oregon Posts: 10,647	no theres only 2 parts the spring and the strut __________________ My Truck 98 4runner SR5 3.4L 5spd 4x4 E-Locker Mods Mom 07 Tundra d-cab limited 5.7L 4x4 auto sister 92 pickup SR5 X-cab 3.0L 5spd 4x4 Papa 89 Pickup SR5 X-cab 4x4 3.0L 5spd/98 4runner SR5 4x4 auto 3.4L R.I.P 91 4runner SR5 4x4 3.0L 5spd Totaled 5/13/06 My Wreck

07-12-2007, 11:29 AM	#5 (permalink)
Elton Contributing Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Siletz,Oregon Posts: 10,647	here this should give u a idea top ones are struts __________________ My Truck 98 4runner SR5 3.4L 5spd 4x4 E-Locker Mods Mom 07 Tundra d-cab limited 5.7L 4x4 auto sister 92 pickup SR5 X-cab 3.0L 5spd 4x4 Papa 89 Pickup SR5 X-cab 4x4 3.0L 5spd/98 4runner SR5 4x4 auto 3.4L R.I.P 91 4runner SR5 4x4 3.0L 5spd Totaled 5/13/06 My Wreck Last edited by Elton; 07-12-2007 at 11:30 AM.

07-12-2007, 11:40 AM	#6 (permalink)
Sandman Registered User Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 72	Thanks Elton. I've only had this truck a few weeks and don't even have a Haynes manual or FSM for it yet. I can't seem to find any write-ups regarding strut replacement -should I assume it's the same as a lift install? __________________ 90 4runner 4cyl-5spd, detroit lockers - 5.29 gears,All Pro hd rear coils, 25mm torsion bars, 2" bl,Warn manual hubs, 33s 99 4runner 6cyl auto RIP (hit a deer) 97 4runner V6-5spd 4x4, e-locker with 2wd/4wd mod, isr & airbox elbo mod

07-12-2007, 11:48 AM	#7 (permalink)
Elton Contributing Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Siletz,Oregon Posts: 10,647	the fronts are a snap i done all the shocks on my truck with very basic hand tools took me around a hour to take out the struts heres a how too http://www.4rnr.net/suspension.html __________________ My Truck 98 4runner SR5 3.4L 5spd 4x4 E-Locker Mods Mom 07 Tundra d-cab limited 5.7L 4x4 auto sister 92 pickup SR5 X-cab 3.0L 5spd 4x4 Papa 89 Pickup SR5 X-cab 4x4 3.0L 5spd/98 4runner SR5 4x4 auto 3.4L R.I.P 91 4runner SR5 4x4 3.0L 5spd Totaled 5/13/06 My Wreck

07-12-2007, 10:58 AM	#2 (permalink)
eric-the-red Contributing Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Port Coquitlam, BC Posts: 2,493	Yes, the fronts are struts, aka coilovers, or coilover shocks. The actual shock is in the middle of the assembly. To replace the shocks the struts have to be disassembled, which requires a spring compressor.

07-12-2007, 12:32 PM	#8 (permalink)
Sandman Registered User Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 72	thanks - I'll post up my results after I get my shocks & do the install. __________________ 90 4runner 4cyl-5spd, detroit lockers - 5.29 gears,All Pro hd rear coils, 25mm torsion bars, 2" bl,Warn manual hubs, 33s 99 4runner 6cyl auto RIP (hit a deer) 97 4runner V6-5spd 4x4, e-locker with 2wd/4wd mod, isr & airbox elbo mod

07-12-2007, 06:22 PM	#9 (permalink)
GhostriderTx Registered User Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 88	It is a little confusing but it is a shock and you treat it like a strut for replacement. The diagram shows a part called suspension support. This piece is held down by the nut on the top shaft of the shock which is why you need a spring compressor to remove the shock. If you just undid the top nut the entire force of the spring would be released and that piece would disapear through your roof (or teeth). The only hard part is lining up the 3 bolts in the piece since they attach it to the truck with the lower bolt mount. If you don;t get it right then you recompress and turn the shock a little and try again. Some people have reported success with attaching the 3 top bolts and using a bar to turn the bottom into position.

07-13-2007, 04:45 AM	#10 (permalink)
GSGALLANT Registered User Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: New Brunswick, Canada Posts: 1,760	4Runners don't have struts. A strut combines the primary function of a shock absorber (as a damper), with the ability to support sideways loads, and eliminates the need for an upper suspension arm. This means that a strut must have a more rugged design, with mounting points near its middle. Struts are typically only used on vehicles with unibody design. 4Runners (3rd gen and up) have double wishbone suspension, with coil-over shocks. __________________ 2002 4Runner, Auto-A340F, 3.4L, 4.30 Gears TJM T15 Front Bumper & Warn M8000, 4xInnovation sliders, Sonoran Steel 1.2 Lift, Toytec LCA Skids, Tundra Brake Upgrade (231mm), Extended rear diff breather, Deckplate Mod, Andymod, Dual batt setup with Optima blue top aux battery, Hardwired 1000W inverter, Aux fuse box, Full time power to 12V plugs, Yaesu FT7800R Radio, "4-air" system for airing up/down tires. 2004 Camry LE - stock (and will stay that way) 1993 4Runner has been sold Last edited by GSGALLANT; 07-13-2007 at 10:43 AM.

07-16-2007, 08:53 PM	#11 (permalink)
Sandman Registered User Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 72	Well, I did all for corners on Saturday, and it is all much clearer now. One front shock was completely shot, but the others weren't too bad. The front was pretty easy compared to the rears! The upper nut was "rust-welded" on each rear shock, but I was able to snap them clean off. __________________ 90 4runner 4cyl-5spd, detroit lockers - 5.29 gears,All Pro hd rear coils, 25mm torsion bars, 2" bl,Warn manual hubs, 33s 99 4runner 6cyl auto RIP (hit a deer) 97 4runner V6-5spd 4x4, e-locker with 2wd/4wd mod, isr & airbox elbo mod

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