Front 5100 install problem - Toyota Tundra Forums : Tundra Solutions Forum

jeffwilson0 · #1 (**permalink**) 11-01-2009, 10:01 AM

Last night I tried putting the 5100's on the front, on 4th setting from the bottom. I had no problem compressing the spring to get the old shock off, but I can not for the life of me get enough compression on the spring to install the new 5100's. I have the washer, rubber, top plate, rubber, washer, then no room left to get any threads on the nut. I'm thinking my spring compressors aren't strong enough for these coils and may have to wait until tomorrow and take the setup to a shop and have it done? I figured if I got enough to get the old shock off I could easily get the new one on but negative. I've done tons of searching this morning but haven't found a solution.

Donda · #2 (**permalink**) 11-01-2009, 10:11 AM

I took the top washer off and started the nut. Turned it a few times and took it off. Put the washer on and I was able to get mine going. One side was easier than the other and it took some work but got them done. Hang in there and be persistent, you'll get it. I think a lot of folks have this issue at first.

Donda · #3 (**permalink**) 11-01-2009, 10:21 AM

Forgot to tell you, i took a razor knife and carefully trimmed a small bevel on the bushings to fit down in the washer a little more. Don't know if this was a good or bad thing but have had no issues.

Lymerock · #4 (**permalink**) 11-01-2009, 10:22 AM

with some shocks you may need to pull the piston all the way out to get the full length
pull it out, and hold it out if possible
guessing on this one since I didnt have a prob with my 5100's nor do I have a 1st gen

jeffwilson0 · #5 (**permalink**) 11-01-2009, 10:40 AM

Thanks for the suggestions. I've pulled the rod out until it stops by hand, I assume that's as far our as it goes. Maybe if I'll go try putting the top but on the shock and see if I can pull it up using that any farther. i need like and inch or so more. Also, the spring perch is on the right way, pointing down as in the directions. I made that mistake first. LOL.

highlevel · #6 (**permalink**) 11-01-2009, 11:10 AM

I had this exact same problem. The spring compressor that I used was a set of those threaded rod type. The rods were so bent that I did not feel comfortable compressing the springs far enough to get past middle notch. I tried the top, then the 4th but no go for me. Even at the middle notch it was a total PITA getting the nut to start on top of those rubber bushings. I had to use all my body weight and push down with the socket wrench to get them started. See pics.

If my local shop didn't want to charge me $100.00

to compress the springs I would have taken them in. It ended up working out very well for me though. 4th or 5th notch would have been to high.

Good luck!

jeffwilson0 · #7 (**permalink**) 11-01-2009, 11:18 AM

Ok, now I feel better. That is the same style compressors I am using, and they are bent even more then yours, almost like a banana before the impact won't compress them anymore. Now I have a decision, move them to the 3rd notch, or take em to a shop tomorrow. Thanks very much!

highlevel · #8 (**permalink**) 11-01-2009, 11:29 AM

Yeah, that picture was taken after I backed them off a little. The 3rd notch worked for me because my truck is loaded with a lot of weight almost all the time. Initially I was planning to do the job again because I wanted more lift. I became friendly with the local NAPA owner and he offered up a nice clam shell type spring compressor for me to use. After getting done and then driving around the truck was level so I chose to leave them at the 3rd.

Donda · #9 (**permalink**) 11-01-2009, 11:48 AM

Wow!! I used that kind of compressor that I barrowed from Auto Zone and got nowhere near that kind of deflection. Put mine on second from the top notch. Mine is a 2WD though?? That looks like a homemade bomb.

highlevel · #10 (**permalink**) 11-01-2009, 11:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Donda

Wow!! I used that kind of compressor that I barrowed from Auto Zone and got nowhere near that kind of deflection. Put mine on second from the top notch. Mine is a 2WD though?? That looks like a homemade bomb.

You got that right. It was WAY sketchy. When I was compressing the springs I had an old sleeping bag over the top of the stuff... just in case the worst did happen

. It was a frightening experience and I am grateful nothing went wrong!

highlevel · #11 (**permalink**) 11-01-2009, 12:01 PM

By the way... I was warned NOT to use an impact on spring compressors. To each his/her own.

Donda · #12 (**permalink**) 11-01-2009, 12:12 PM

Ditto on the impact. BTW, are the springs stiffer on a 4WD? For some reason, something tells me they would be.

Be carefull Jeff, hate for you to come up a few teeth short!!

dpg_override · #13 (**permalink**) 11-01-2009, 12:46 PM

I had this same issue when doing mine this past week. I solved the problem buy cutting the inner bushing in half and using the stock bushing on top. The way the coil cover or whatever its called is built you can't take the bushing out of it so that little bit of xtra bushing caused issue. After chopping the inner in half I compress the spring got the nut on, tightened it down, and then compressed the spring some more, took the nut off and was able to get the stock bushing, washer and nut on. It worked great for me! I set mine to the top notch for a lift of 2.5". I actually got a little more than 2.5" out of the front....So the front sits a tad higher than the back. All in all it appears level tho, unless you take a measure tape to it.

highlevel · #14 (**permalink**) 11-01-2009, 01:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Donda

Ditto on the impact. BTW, are the springs stiffer on a 4WD? For some reason, something tells me they would be.

Be carefull Jeff, hate for you to come up a few teeth short!!

I don't have any info to back that either way. My guess is as yours, yes. It would make sense with extra weight and the way the truck would get used. Maybe someone has specs on it.

jeffwilson0 · #15 (**permalink**) 11-01-2009, 02:57 PM

Well, thanks to all yuor guys help I got them installed on the 3rd notch. The drivers side we had to do as above and push the socket down on the shock to get the nut started, and oddly enough on the passenger side the spring compressed easier and I got it done by myself. Measurements before and after show that I got exactly 2" of lift on the front from the middle notch, which is higher then they say, but maybe it has to settle (some people seem to say they settle, some don't, I will keep measuring to find out). I will post some pics a little later as the baby is screaming and so is the wife for how much time I spent on this, LOL. Thanks all!!