Has anyone had any problems with installing front bilsteins? I've only read about problems loosening up bolts, but none actually installing the shock. I ask because I am trying to get shocks installed at Pep Boys, but when I called to find out if they were done, they told me I had brought in the wrong parts for the front shocks because they would not fit.
Got my shocks at Cabe Toyota in Long Beach, CA:
https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f2/trd-shocks-3rd-gen-4runner-36779/
My part numbers on the shocks match those found here:
http://www.eshocks.com/bil_veh.asp?M...&Manf=Bilstein
That would be BE5-2482 for the fronts, BE5-2451 for the rears. They said there was no problem installing the rears, so I'm figuring they just can't install these shocks right and I'm going to have to take it somewhere else (which is very disappointing, was looking forward to that first drive with all shocks changed). Any comments, correction of part #s?

 

He has a 3rd gen guys.

 

Make: TOYOTA
Type: Utility 2WD (Standard Suspension)
Model: 4-Runner
Year: 96-02
Setting: HD
Front: BE5-2482
>Footnote1: Re-install original equipment hardware.
Rear: BE5-2451


This is from the Bilstein site

 

I put Bils. on my 3rd gen and it was pretty straight forward. You must put the fronts in the exact same position as when you took them off, because once the spring tention is back on the strut, you can not rotate the top or bottom to adjust the upper strut bolts or lower bolt to align when puting back on the vehicle. This is the only thing I can think of that is even close to being an issue.

 

Iamafan,

Whatever happened with your install.

I recently purchased bilsteins for my 4wd 98 4runner from Cabe Toyota as well. I wanted to know if there are any issues that I should be aware of regarding these shocks from Cabe.

The price was so good i'm still suspicious that I might get burned.

 

i had no probs with mine at all. removed strut assembly myself, then had midas guys use their spring compressor to change out strut. took about 30 min, cost me $30.

i've found bad attitudes at pepboys people when i take my oil for disposal, would never have them work on my truck.

 

Not entirely true... you can slide a long 3/8" ratchet extension through the lower eyelet, then put a cheater bar (high-lift jack handle) on it and give it a tug when the top plate is mounted and you can spin the strut to where you want it...

 

Hey....did this install turn out ok for ya? Bill (bobzemuda) and I installed all 4 on my '98 on saturday without any problems....(ok, we had some difficulty...but the above tip from bamachem is good advice!~!)

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Good to know Bamachem. I can see clearly now in my head how that would work. I may have tried that, but I marked the spring and strut so that it was in the exact same position and went back in the correct position. But now I know for future reference if I do another I won't have to compress the spring and rotate if I am a little off. Thanks.

 

Install ended up fine, just a stupid mechanic in the way. The shocks from Cabe are fine. Even if something were wrong with them, that's where Bilstein's lifetime warranty would kick in. I don't however, recommend pep boys for any sorta work, next time i'm doing stuff myself.