Ok, am in the process of installing Bilstein (standard HD) front shocks on my 2000 4Runner SR5. Most of the installation has gone without a hitch but have been run into a major problem. I am not able to install the top rubber bushing, metal plate and nut ... the top of the shock just does not seem long enough and I'm unable to catch any threads. Any suggestions? Need to fix this since the truck is not drivable the way it currently is.

Thanks,
Jon

 

are you doing this while it's on stands, jack etc? if so try lining up the top of the shock and lowering it down off the stands etc and see if that compresses the rubber some.

 

xxxtreme22r ... thanks for your reply. Tried that and it didn't seem to help. Unfortunately the fronts don't come with new bushings (thought they would). Bushings seem to be just to thick. Worst case, will have to put old shock back on.

 

If the stud on the top of your new shocks is obviously shorter than on your OE shock, you may have the wrong part. Have you compared compressed and extended lengths of the new to old?
If only the top stud is shorter then try getting another set of smaller shock bushings or take yours to a bench grinder and make them fit.

 

Umm so it sounds like you're trying to assemble the front struts. Have you compressed the coil spring at all? Think that may be you're problem

 

Firstly, thank you all for taking the time and replying. I think I figured it out. The front struts are not OEM and neither are the bushings. The Bilsteins do not come with new bushings so I tried to reuse the ones I took off. I believe these nonOEM bushings are bigger than OEM and is the reason why this is giving me trouble. Put the old shock back in and packed it up for the evening. Will try and get a new set of OEM bushings before attempting again.