Just replaced shocks, once again "size matters". (1 Viewer)

[flintknapper]

I swear to God, its a curse! (Being a big person)

Sometimes being tall helps (I can reach the #6 spark plug). Occasionally, being big is a benefit (I can break loose most bolts without having to use air tools).

But, more often than not, being a "full size" person is an absolute curse when working on a Cruiser.

The front shocks were a breeze, but the rear shocks made up for it!

Left front shock was "dead" and the right front was not far behind it. Both rears for some reason seemed O.K. These were OEM with about 140,000 miles on them. I went back with OEM and hopefully I'll notice a difference. They are quite reasonably priced (Thanks Dan).

 

[tarbe]

That is why you are supposed to have a stable of friends, of all different sizes. You call the one that is sized just right for the job you need help with

 

[flintknapper]

That is why you are supposed to have a stable of friends, of all different sizes. You call the one that is sized just right for the job you need help with

Ahhhhhh, so thats the trick!


So, next time my "PHH" needs replacing I should call Tom Thumb & Thumbelina ?

 

[-Spike-]

I always see problems with the driver's side front shock. Rear shocks seemed easy to me, with about 2 feet of extensions on the socket wrench!

-Spike

 

[JimmyK]

That is why you are supposed to have a stable of friends, of all different sizes. You call the one that is sized just right for the job you need help with

haha Im flying to denver for a dreaded meeting, I needed that chuckle this morning.

cheers!

 

[flintknapper]

I always see problems with the driver's side front shock. Rear shocks seemed easy to me, with about 2 feet of extensions on the socket wrench!

-Spike

Yes,

Thats how I did it as well. Jacked up the body of the vehicle also to allow for more room to work. Its just difficult to get big forearms up there to position bolts when reinstalling (yeah, I tried with the socket first).

Toyota.. thoughtfully put a slot on one side of the bracket so you can maneuver it around a little to find the threaded hole.

I was pleased to see that the new shocks had an extra piece of metal welded onto one side at the very bottom. Presumably, these face forward and are there to provide protection to the shock body (it hangs down pretty low).

Some jobs are just plain "cramped", I guess this is one of them. I'm not a "Fat" person, I'm just larger than average, it seems like many of the parts on these vehicles are more easily accessed if you have long skinny double jointed arms and ratcheting wrists. Sheeeeeeeeesh.

 

[flintknapper]

Good news.

Happily, Mrs. Flintknapper reports that the mysterious vibration I've been chasing down for several months is gone. Apparently, the left front shock (that was dead) was allowing a small amount of tire imbalance to be felt.

Recent replacement of the tires helped some, but today she said the vibration is completely gone, (She'll probably want it back tomorrow). Man, I hope she doesn't read this.