Grn99Runner

Hey guys i have a 99 4Runner 2wd with 200,000 miles now and i am about to replace all 4 shocks/struts. Im not looking for a lift now because i cant afford it nor do i off road any. But my question is for those of you guys that have lifted your 4runners or changed the front struts, how did your top plates look? Would you recommend changing them? I just dont want to wait til everything is apart to see i need new ones or waste the money if its not necessary

Grn99Runner

Also i have a clunk from the right front when i go over speed bumps and i am not sure if this is just from my struts being worn out, or could that possible have anything to do with the top plate?

brian2sun

Your top plates should be just fine. Some companies will pre-assemble the front struts for you (if you buy coils and shocks together) and in that case, you would need to buy new top plates from the company otherwise they wouldn't be able to pre-assemble them. That's really the only case in which I can think of that you would need to buy new ones (unless yours are visibly bent or damaged). Since it doesn't sound like you are going to be replacing your coils, just re-use your stock top plates.

Ron Helmuth

Have your ball joints looked at-you are now at 200K miles and there have been a few documented cases of catastrophic failure of those leading to destruction/totaled vehicles.

Not sure if that is your clunk or not. When your vehicle gets an alignment pump those guys with questions. Ask about your tie rod inners and outers-have them check for play in your steering rack and so on.

If your 99 does not have saggy butt rear springs I would be shocked-pardon the pun. Rear springs easy to change out, and not that much money.

Struts are what you have up front with the shocks built into the space inside the coils. And on a 2wd -likely no reason you would actually need new top plates. They will have to remove the top plate to reassemble with your new shocks into the existing front coils. Pay a professional to do the fronts if you are at all uncertain. Well worth it.

YodasYota

Please have your ball-joints checked out! I have 218xxx miles on my Runner and the drivers ball joint failed as I was backing out of a parking place, totally fell out. If I would have been moving I would have been done for. Mine was also making a noise up front, when I was turning though, but could be the same as yours, it stopped after the ball joints were replaced, so I'm pretty sure it was them.

Grn99Runner

Hey guys thanks for all of the replies! Thankfully although i dont post often i am on this forum all the time and i have read about the balljoint failures. I have already replaced my lower ball joints and tie rod ends but i have yet to replace my upper balljoints. Do you think the upper ball joints could possibly be the source of the "clunk"? i wasnt too sure since there doesnt seem to be as much load on the uppers as the lowers.

But i wasnt thinking that the top plate would need to be replaced i just wanted to make sure before i jumped into it.

Finally, do you guys have any input as to worn shocks causing vibrations on the highway? Thats the main reason im getting new shocks, ive had my tires balanced 3 times and roadforced at my toyota dealer yet i still have a vibration. I was told by firestone and toyota it was most likely my shocks. Any input?!?