Bilstein Question - Jalaber
 

Hello all,

Here's a pic of the front driver-side shock:

http://www.hboss.net/4runner/shocks/...ont-driver.jpg

Jalaber's front driver-side shock:

http://www.top4runners.com/ja/handli...river_seat.jpg

Here's a pic of the front passenger-side shock:

http://www.hboss.net/4runner/shocks/...-passenger.jpg

Jalaber's front passenger-side shock:

http://www.top4runners.com/ja/handli...front_pass.jpg

I was looking at the 'installed pics' on jalaber's site and the front driver-side one looks identical, but the passenger side one is a little different. They did follow my instructions and the bottom part of the coil where it ends is facing away from the vehicle so I don't think there should be any problems with the shocks/install.

Incidentally, the paint markings on my springs are different than the one on jalaber's. You'll see in the difference between jalaber and my pics that although the springs for the driver-side are facing almost exactly the say way (bottom end of the coil facing forward), his paint markings face the front of the vehicle and mine face outwards to the driver-side. If I had them set the springs with my paint marks facing foward, the bottom end of the coil would be facing the engine or back towards the rear of the vehicle.

Opinions?

Al

I was quoting the factory service manual when I stated "face the lower end of the coil spring to the outside of the vehicle." I must say that I do not know the significance of having the install done this way. I just wanted to point it out to others as my inital install was performed wrong.

The paint marks being off a little dont really matter. But as you can see from these two before and after pics of my passenger side shock the lower coil was pointing "to the outside of the vehicle" as it came from the factory.

Before:
http://www.top4runners.com/ja/cgi-bi...s/bleeding.jpg

After:
http://www.top4runners.com/ja/cgi-bi...front_pass.jpg

I wanted my install to be as close to factory spec as possible. I'd also like to hear some opionions as to if this really matters. I can say that I believe that having the coils on the correct side of the vehicle prolly matter a lot more than where the lower coil end ends.

Al, your lower coil end may be pointing towards the outside of the vehicle but it does not end on the outside part of the vehicle. It ends more towards the front.

On the passenger side you mean, right? I noticed that too but I'm pretty sure they put it back in exactly the way they took it out. I'm kicking myself for taking a pic of the driver-side before but not the passenger side! Don't know what I was thinking.

Seems to be handling very well though, I don't think there should be a problem with the way it's facing right now. I hope not anyway.. :dunno: