BilTecbach

[fenrisx]

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8477/8191119365_452a728c23_z.jpg

[fenrisx]

I think I'm about to attempt the install. Going to adjust them to the same height as my PP springs for the time being... until I have the rear lift & can afford another alignment.

Wish me luck. :)

[troyboy162]

as long as the top hats are installed correctly then it will be a breeze. If they are off, prepare to curse lol.

[fenrisx]

that inner most bolt on the top of the strut is a PITA... can't get enough grip on my wrench to break it free, and don't have anything to fit over the end of it to act as a breaker bar!

[Seanz0rz]

don't remove that nut! the strut was explode! to remove, all you need is to remove the 3 outer bolts.

[troyboy162]

yeah I think I remember having to use a open end wrench on it and it being a bitch. the box end or sockets wouldn't fit or something. I hope your not talking about the center most nut like Sean is saying. Removing that nut will divide by zero if you dont know what your doing.

[fenrisx]

Ah, no worries guys, I was no referring to the center bolt. Just the back most/left of the 3 bolts holding the assembly in place. I was using my handy Craftsmen ratcheting 14mm wrench to get that nut loose... once I put on a pair of gloves I was able to break it free with making my hand hurt like a mofo.

[fenrisx]

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8205/8197710506_920d95897d_z.jpg

Now I just need to lower this thing down some. Maybe I should have done that pre-install.

[fenrisx]

son of a..

I just snapped one of the 3 bolts by over-tightening. Was just using a 14mm wrench with no 'cheater pipe' on it... and even still.. snap. Time to put the stock PP/Tokico back on. *face palm*

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8066/8197781756_d77d5ae62c_z.jpg

[Obi..]

I just snapped one of the 3 bolts by over-tightening. Was just using a 14mm wrench with no 'cheater pipe' on it... and even still.. snap. Time to put the stock PP/Tokico back on.


I understand you're needing to throw the Tokico's on for now but IIRC those bolts are tapped/threaded or pull through on those hats.

IMHO here, take them down to a shop, disassemble BOTH of them and pull out all of them and switch them all up to grade 6 cad coated or even better grade 8. Both styles will resist not just breakage (although they'll bend instead) but also have a little better rust resistance.

[fenrisx]

I understand you're needing to throw the Tokico's on for now but IIRC those bolts are tapped/threaded or pull through on those hats.

IMHO here, take them down to a shop, disassemble BOTH of them and pull out all of them and switch them all up to grade 6 cad coated or even better grade 8. Both styles will resist not just breakage (although they'll bend instead) but also have a little better rust resistance.


I was curious as to if they went all the way through or not. The top has 6 holes, which I assumed the 3 empty threaded holes were for a different application. If the 3 holes my bolts are in are identical, then they do not go all the way through, and are just threaded holes.

IF that is the case my plan is to do as you said.. just buy 6 grade 8, or maybe just the grade 6 as you mentioned, and replace them all.

Unfortunately, I don't have the time to do this today.. so the Tokico's will be on for another week or two until I get those bolts.

[fenrisx]

Also, my neighbor has a torque wrench I can use so that I don't do this again next time. :)

[Good Times]

wow I'm surprised you sheared that bolt right off! They must be using inferior bolts or you're just superman ;)

Shane has the right idea in mind, get some upgraded bolts/nuts (grade 8) and you'll be golden.

lookin good btw!

[fenrisx]

wow I'm surprised you sheared that bolt right off! They must be using inferior bolts or you're just superman ;)

Shane has the right idea in mind, get some upgraded bolts/nuts (grade 8) and you'll be golden.

lookin good btw!


I was also surprised considering it was just a normal length ratcheting wrench.. not some long ratchet with cheater pipe on the end... I think it's a mixture of inferior bolt, and my being Superman (let's keep that on the dl).

Thanks. We'll see how the ride is after this... if the rear PP springs still beat me to death I'll be swapping those out too.

[Crinale]

Since this is a metric truck, if you have a place to get them locally, look for grade 10.9 bolts. They are the metric equivalent of grade 8. If you don't have a place to get them locally McMaster Carr will have them.

[fenrisx]

I emailed Toytec today while I was at work to get the info on the studs.

3/8" -24 x 1.5" long, grade b7

Hopefully I can find a place locally to pick em up..

[4x4mike]

Even a big box hardware store will have that. I'd go to a smaller hardware store, Fastenal or auto parts store and get the 10.9 that Kevin mentioned. I know my Ace Hardware has it. Get the torque spec from a FSM or Toytec and use that torque wrench.

[Seanz0rz]

studs will be a bit harder to find. better stores like an ace hardware may have them in grade 5. a Napa or the like is a better bet to find in grade 8. or order from McMaster or Fastenal.

i am having a difficult time finding them at mcmaster. what about getting them from toytec?

[fenrisx]

i am having a difficult time finding them at mcmaster. what about getting them from toytec?


Yeah, he said if I couldn't find them locally they would sell them to me.

[mastacox]

i am having a difficult time finding them at mcmaster

Grade B7 is a medium-strength grade, it falls at about a Grade 5. http://www.americanfastener.com/technical/grade_markings_steel.asp

From McMaster-Carr it looks like you option is to buy a 2' grade B7 threaded rod for about $3.50 and cut 1.5" studs off it: 98957A805 (http://www.mcmaster.com/#98957A805).

[Crinale]

From McMaster-Carr it looks like you option is to buy a 2' grade B7 threaded rod for about $3.50 and cut 1.5" studs off it: 98957A805 (http://www.mcmaster.com/#98957A805).


Thats not too bad of a deal, and hopefully when new the b7 is stronger.. were these coilovers bought used?

[fenrisx]

Thats not too bad of a deal, and hopefully when new the b7 is stronger.. were these coilovers bought used?

Yeah, I bought them used.

[Crinale]

ah, I'm not sure on those studs but I know a lot of high grade bolts are supposed to only be torqued down once really. They may have been over torqued on the original truck which made them more brittle once you torqued them down again.

[fenrisx]

I went ahead and ordered 6 from ToyTec for $26 (including nuts) after shipping. Locally I was limited to buying a 3ft rod for $20 + tax and having to cut it myself... and I don't have anything to cut it with.

Should be shipped either today or tomorrow.. hopefully here by Friday. There's a few guys here going offroading on Sunday.. so if I am able to afford the extra gas to go on that trip.. maybe I can get these in Friday night or Saturday before the trip.

[Crinale]

$26 is pretty good. Get it done! Wheeling is worth it

[fenrisx]

Nice job ToyTec... ordered Monday after lunch, and they arrived Wednesday before I made it home from work. Hopefully the weather cooperates with me on Saturday.

http://www.weather.com/weather/weekend/Minneapolis+MN+55410:4:US

[Crinale]

awesome! It's always nice to hear about good customer service like that, get the item out fast.

[fenrisx]

Target Corporation, you disappoint me. How can you carry damn near a dozen LocTite products, and not have either the red or blue Threadlocker?

[Crinale]

lol, Target isn't exactly a hardware or automotive store... Go to HD, OSH, Lowe's, etc.