Struts/shocks for 2021 4Runner

[mdoan300]

Thanks, but I'll still have to pay the labor costs to have the work done.

If you’re looking for a more economical solution, perhaps post in toyota-4runner.org and ask if anyone has stock, low-mileage shocks that they’d be willing to unload for free or a nominal price. Or, maybe post a feeler at a Toyota off-road shop for folks that upgrade their suspension; I’m sure they toss out stock pieces.

I replaced my suspension at 20k miles and the stock pieces sat in the attic for 5 years. I ended up giving them to a friend for free when he needed a suspension refresh at 200k.

 

[Oliveoil2]

How much do you think the job should cost? And are you referring to the dealer quote, the shop quote, or both?

I don't have the workplace, the tools, or the know-how to do this job myself.

I just went to Repairpal.com and got a quote using your information: $1,100-2k. That sounds reasonable depending on the type of struts and shock you choose.

 

[meep]

Thought; on my son’s 2019, which has about 150k on it, the rears were worse than the fronts. We replaced the rears only, (bilstein 4600) and that alone made a huge difference. I’ll say the rears are much less labor-intensive - easier DIY, or cheaper labor. Might try that first and see if it’s all you need?

As for compressing springs - I don’t like to do it. I don’t work on vehicle suspensions enough or have the right kind of mentoring to feel safe myself, and I do have a lot of wrench time. As far as buying an assembly, it’d have to be a higher end brand (not Monroe or Gabriel, or rancho (which is Monroe). If eibach offered, I might consider. I would consider a set of fox coilovers, which I believe use eibach springs (?), but it may change the ride height. A lot of the preassembled stuff has thinner spring material or crummy bearings and bushings. If none of that sounds great, OE is likely tokico (sp?) and they are a quality shock. You might check tirerack since they have an easy storefront and decent quailtiy kits in general to see what they have.

That said, if you can change a tire, you can change a rear shock on the 4Runner. There is a top nut, and a bolt on the bottom. You’d need a basic ratchet set, a set of metric wrenches, and an adjustable wrench or something to keep the shaft from rotating as you loosen the top bolt. (Assuming it’s not too rusted).

 

[zzyzzx]

I think the shocks/struts wearing out at 93K (including plenty of off-highway driving) would be considered normal wear and tear! TBH I hadn't even considered trying to make a warranty claim, for that reason.

Isn't the worst case the warranty company saying no?

 

[wtd]

Why are preassembled struts "infamous"? I just learned from another post about compressing the spring and that it might be considered dangerous.

The quoted price for the KYB strut is $503.95 and for FCS it's $199.95 so does that sound like complete assemblies?

Because a lot of the quick struts are not made with quality parts and can ride worse than the factory stuff. Sometimes quick struts are not even available for certain vehicles. Years ago, I changed struts on a car that a quick strut was not available for, so I had to take apart my old one and just install a new strut and reuse the spring.