914runner

Did you do the install or did a shop? If you are going to take the whole strut apart you will need a spring compressor.

cubuff4runner

That is exactly where your noise is comming from. Did you put new struts on? If so did they come with new bushings? Most struts can have slighly different bushings so the threads are made to stop to fit their specific bushing. One quick fix is to add a couple of washers on top of the existing one. It will only take a few minutes because you won't have to compress the spring or remove anything except fot the top strut nut.

03TRDBlack

I did replace the struts. I had the tokico shocks that came with it, and traded them out for a set of Bilstein struts. So all I have to do is remove that top nut and put some washers on? Nothing will come apart will it?

bamachem

That's EXACTLY where the noise is coming from. I made the same mistake on mine. :pat:

Don't take the setup apart. You take that nut off along w/ the washer, put the bushing on, then the washer, followed by the nut and re-tighten. It's a 5-min job per side. You don't have to take the strut assembly apart to do it.

03TRDBlack

Got the problem fixed, or at least temporarily. I went out and got some stainless steel washers and added them below the nut. I tightened it down and no more noise!!

cubuff4runner

By the looks of the picture it appears that you are missing the top bushing(the one that goes directly underneath the large washer that you can see).

r0cky

YES! Is that the "rubber grommet" you were talking about? I totally misunderstood which rubber piece you were referring to, but the rubber bushing is exactly what was/is missing.

03TRDBlack

Yes, that is what is missing. I replace it (at least temporarily) with a stack of stainless steel washers. The noise is gone!

sschaefer3

This is without a doubt the issue, have them put the bushings back in because that is how the shock shaft flexes, your fix is limiting the shaft flex.

cubuff4runner

Steve is right. Make sure that you get the bushing in there as soon as possible, especially before giving it a beating off-road.

r0cky

I agree ... who installed it? If it was a shop, they should have known to put that piece back in ... I hope whoever it was still has it.

03TRDBlack

No, actually they don't have the bushing anymore. I think they gave it back to me and I sold it with the old shocks. They are however getting me new ones and are going to put it on for me. (Free of course!)

r0cky

well, that's really good that they'll order you new ones and put them on for free! i hope if they've done that on other trucks that those owners have realized it before anything was injured!

(oh, and your avatar looks awesome, man!!)