The other day, a buddy of mine and i were looking at my 4runner, Its a '95 4runner auto sr5. I look under trhe front of my truck and there is some kind of fluid covering the bottom half of my front right shock. I put my finger on it and it looks kinda like oil. I know it isn't comming from the engine because its only on the bottom half of the shock. I have no idea what this is, anyone have an idea on what it is? thanks
John

 

Seems to me that you kind of already know what's wrong and just want to confirm...
Does sound like your shock is gone.

 

The shock is shot Two of my Rancho 9000s developed the same problem. Pinhole rust spot and the oil starts leaking out. Time for a new set.

 

Yeah... I kinda figured but I was trying to be optomistic, can anyone point me in the right direction on where to get a good set? I only do mild offroading. thanks for the quick replies, john

 

Could have blown the seals offroading too.

 

I dont believe my seals are blown cause thewre is no fluid on the back of my tires, just on the shock.

 

Yeah, had the same issue with some shocks. Went with bils and couldn't be happier.

 

Yeah I just did a search and found some people are running billsteins and like them, I think I am going to go with them. Now, how lond would I be able to drive on this shock, I gotta have some time to get some money together...

 

you will want to get them changed out sooner than later, having said that, take your time going places, dont race around corners etc. if you have to baby them for a while until you get the cash for new ones they should be ok for a while. youll know, the car will get bouncier!

lee

 

Optomistic? Oil leaking from the shock is the absolute best scenario for you. If it was coming from your engine, transmission, differential, or anywhere else really, you would be in for a much more expensive or laborous fix. You can pop the shock off and put in a new one yourself if you have the most basic set of tools. You could probably even do it with the wheel still on the vehicle in the driveway.

 

Well I actually do have a leak in the engine, and also, can you jst unscrew the shock and put the other one on? that easy? Would I have to jack it up or anything? I was afriad if i did that the damn thing was gonna fall to the ground or something. I just didnt want to be screwed.

 

yea all you need is a floorjack and a few tools and your good to go.

 

All the same you'll probably want to search and find a write-up or something. That way there will be no confusion when you're sitting in your driveway with your truck jacked up and something doesn't look right.

 

T-Dude helped me out when I switched to Bilsteins, the front takes awhile and is a pain (but then again I am not very mechanically inclined). Look for writeup you can find torque-specs on JArunners page. Bils can be had from 169 for all 4, http://www.cabeperformance.com/detai...mance%20shocks. The do the ride a little stiffer, but are much better offroad than stock IMO. Read some of the threads before you buy.

 

Uh, yeah......NEVER get under your truck with only a jack holding it up (even a floor jack). Use jack stands to the frame. I bought the 6 ton (each) stands because they are about 4" taller than the 3 ton ones. Work better on trucks

 

alright, on that link that roadtripr posted, will the bilstein preformance shocks fit my 4runner or do i need a specific one?

 

sorry can't say for sure since you have a 2nd gen. The website used to have it listed for several different 4runner generations. I would give them a call or check bilsteins website.