KDSS Removal

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Joined
Feb 7, 2009
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Location
Pensacola, Fl.
Sooooooo week 3 into the KDSS bolt removal has gotten me nowhere! except bits broken off inside hex head... I had done all the soaking, tapping, cleaning etc.. even tried heat.. NOTHING! I'm just tired of dealing with this and want to get my lift on... (I'll probably eventually weld nuts on the allen heads) my tig welder guy is out of town....

I see where so folks with 4runnners, gx and others perhaps just remove the system.
wondering if I can at least temporarily remove or un attach the links?
TIA
 
Sooooooo week 3 into the KDSS bolt removal has gotten me nowhere! except bits broken off inside hex head... I had done all the soaking, tapping, cleaning etc.. even tried heat.. NOTHING! I'm just tired of dealing with this and want to get my lift on... (I'll probably eventually weld nuts on the allen heads) my tig welder guy is out of town....

I see where so folks with 4runnners, gx and others perhaps just remove the system.
wondering if I can at least temporarily remove or un attach the links?
TIA

You can always try to install the lift without the balance screws loose. Everything will bolt in it’ll just be difficult to get the links to line up. Potentially quite difficult.

Our system is laid out differently than the 4Runner/GX so I’m not sure you can copy what they do with disconnecting things.

Personally I wouldn’t be interested in having a lift installed if it required disconnecting the sway bars. And I’m definitely not interested in the opinion of (usually 4Runner) people that say they can’t tell an on-road handling difference with the front bar disconnected.

My vote (not that you care) is to wait for those screws to move before proceeding. Many people here have been patient and made it happen.
 
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You can always try to install the lift without the balance screws loose. Everything will bolt in it’ll just be difficult to get the links to line up. Potentially quite difficult.

Our system is laid out differently than the 4Runner/GX so I’m not sure you can copy what they do with disconnecting things.

Personally I wouldn’t be interested in having a lift installed if it required disconnecting the sway bars. And I’m definitely not interested in the opinion of (usually 4Runner) people that say they can’t tell an on-road handling difference with the front bar disconnected.

My vote (not that you care) is to wait for those screws to move before proceeding. Many people here have been patient and made it happen.

My truck is in the shop right now having the suspension/lift done. I asked about problems if they couldn’t crack the KDSS. They told me they almost never have to mess with it and if they do they’ve had one they couldn’t crack open in less than one hour. I brought up all the swearing and cursing about KDSS frozen systems on forums online and the mechanic just shrugged his shoulders. Said a torch that was it. Also brought up a great point. It’s a lot easier with the truck lifted. You can simply get better leverage.
 
They don’t touch it when doing a lift and suspension. All adjustments are done as needed with the alignment. For what’s going on with mine I need adjustable UCA’s and LCA’s new ball joints. He did say sometimes, only sometimes, it will have a lean after the work. That is when they will mess with the KDSS. Or if there is a massive amount of mods being done. Aux fuel tank, batteries heavy accessories on one side. He mentioned not messing with it unless your very confident mechanic. But apparently they just torch them a little and crack them like any other rusted part as needed.

I’m picking it up in 3-4 hours. I’ll ask about your stuck part. Also more about KDSS with lifts and suspension work.
 
thanks brother! if i had it to do over again i would use the torch from the beginning...
 
Interesting what has to be done for a lift. Quick question if one wanted to just swap out OEM shocks/struts(no lift) do you still have to mess with the screws?
 
Interesting what has to be done for a lift. Quick question if one wanted to just swap out OEM shocks/struts(no lift) do you still have to mess with the screws?
You shouldn’t need to if doing stock for stock, with the same caveat that lining up the sway bar links can be a challenge.
 
Doesn’t work that way. Toyota don’t lend tools to dealers. Dealer don’t lend tools to other dealers. Dealer needs to buy the SST tool from Bosch. Bosch makes SST tools most car manufacturers. If dealers don’t have tools then they don’t do it.
 
Doesn’t work that way. Toyota don’t lend tools to dealers. Dealer don’t lend tools to other dealers. Dealer needs to buy the SST tool from Bosch. Bosch makes SST tools most car manufacturers. If dealers don’t have tools then they don’t do it.
It seems OTC makes the KDSS SST.. and there are many anecdotes of dealers saying they need to loan the tool from someone else in the area before they can work on KDSS.

Yes, anecdotes. But at some point a trend suggests something based in reality.
 
Doesn’t work that way. Toyota don’t lend tools to dealers. Dealer don’t lend tools to other dealers. Dealer needs to buy the SST tool from Bosch. Bosch makes SST tools most car manufacturers. If dealers don’t have tools then they don’t do it.

That is contrary to what 2 different dealers told me. :meh:
 
My truck is in the shop right now having the suspension/lift done. I asked about problems if they couldn’t crack the KDSS. They told me they almost never have to mess with it and if they do they’ve had one they couldn’t crack open in less than one hour. I brought up all the swearing and cursing about KDSS frozen systems on forums online and the mechanic just shrugged his shoulders. Said a torch that was it. Also brought up a great point. It’s a lot easier with the truck lifted. You can simply get better leverage.
Online forums are populated by those few having issues and looking for answers. Those that do it professionally have the problem once and then they know how to do the work.
 

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