How To Replace Rear Shocks On 2003 Toyota Sequoia

Do yourself a favor and use a 17mm box end wrench to clamp the top bolt against the frame as you attempt to loosen it. Rotate the top shock tube using a pipe wrench or a large pair of channel locks. I’m hoping the bolt will break the stud because it is so corroded. When installing the new shock, be sure to use a new top locking nut and some form of anti-seize. Be patient with yourself and give yourself time. These shocks are a bit of a bother to change.

Shocks or struts are there on the Sequoia?

Cost estimation for replacing the shock or strut in a Toyota Sequoia. Replacement shocks or struts for a Toyota Sequoia suspension typically cost between $562 and $711. While parts are priced between $380 and $482, labor costs are predicted to be between $182 and $230.

What is the price of replacing a rear shock?

Unfortunately, there isn’t much space for negotiation when it comes to this replacement. While labor for replacing rear shocks normally costs around $200, the parts for doing so cost about $900.

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How can I tell if my back shocks are damaged?

It may be an indication of damaged shocks or struts if your car dips when braking, bottoms out (scrapes loudly) after crossing a speed bump, squats when accelerating, or bounces more than usual following a bump.

Do 4Runners have struts or shocks?

The XREAS suspension is a very special feature on my 4Runner Sport. Hydraulic lines link the left front strut to the right rear strut (and the right front to the left rear). This increases the vehicle’s handling and cornering stability. The intriguing aspect of this system is that because these four hydraulic lines are pressured, if you let your struts leak for a long time, you will also need to repair them. Your lines will lose pressure and stop working if your struts leak for an extended period of time. Because replacing the lines is MUCH more expensive, I chose to replace my shocks and struts at the first indication of leakage, which occurred at about 90,000 miles.

What is the turnaround time for replacing rear shocks?

Is the stop of your vehicle taking longer than usual? Is it strangely bumpier? The symptoms definitely indicate that your struts have failed, thus I believe it is time to replace them. Fortunately, you can either do it yourself or hire a professional to replace them.

Most professional mechanics agree that changing struts typically takes one to two hours. As long as you have prior mechanical experience and perform the procedure correctly, the expected time is the same even if you choose to replace them on your own.

The ability to manage and control the vehicle may be compromised if struts are not replaced in a timely manner.

Should I swap out all four shocks at once?

It’s crucial for driving safety to replace your shocks and struts when they become worn out in order to avoid harming other parts of your car, such as the tires and suspension.

Various safety features are included in today’s cars to help with control, stability, and accident prevention. You are kept safe by a combination of systems including automated braking, anti-lock brakes, stability control, and traction control. In an emergency situation, your shocks and struts may not function effectively if they are in bad condition.

Getting Your Shocks & Struts Replaced

Whether you observe any of the aforementioned symptoms, get your alignment checked, or put on new tires, the best way to know when to repair your shocks and struts is to have a skilled technician check your suspension. Get your car’s suspension inspected at the very least once a year.

Replace front or rear axle shocks and struts in pairs at all times. It is even better to replace the shocks and struts on all four wheels at once. This keeps the vehicle’s handling and responsiveness on both sides uniform and dependable.

We always advise obtaining an alignment as well, following any suspension work. Wheel alignment of your car could also vary if your suspension is altered. Additionally, even little adjustments to wheel alignment can have expensive long-term effects.

How durable are the rear shocks?

When you turn, halt, accelerate, or drive over bumps in the road, your vehicle’s movements are more controlled thanks to the stabilizing effects of shocks and struts. Shocks, struts, or a mix of the two are used in modern vehicles.

A shock is an independent component, but a strut combines a shock with additional properties to form a single structural unit. Both aid in maintaining tire contact with the pavement and stabilizing the car. Your car would bounce down the road without shocks.

How long should your shocks or struts be expected to last? Depends, really.” Towing a trailer or carrying big loads might reduce their functional life, according to Reina, as can driving on rough or gravel roads. “If they see a lot of use, you might want to replace them at 40,000 or 50,000 miles, or even earlier. 75,000 to 90,000 kilometers might be appropriate under typical circumstances.

Are shock absorbers self-installable?

If you’re thinking about replacing the shock absorbers yourself, you should be a skilled and knowledgeable do-it-yourself technician.

  • Place chocks or wedges under the wheels that will remain on the ground when you park your automobile in a level or flat area.
  • Lift the problematic wheel as high off the ground as you can by jacking up the vehicle.
  • The car should be lowered onto the stand after a jack stand is placed beneath the factory lift point. You should have adequate space to work on the car as a result.
  • Lift the vehicle just a little to relieve some of the pressure on the suspension you’re going to work on. If you’re replacing the shocks on both sides, you should do this one side at a time.
  • Utilizing the appropriate size socket or wrench, remove the shock mounting bolts.
  • The damaged shock absorber in your car ought to be able to be taken out at this point.
  • Replace both the fastening bolts and the damaged shock with new ones.

Make a modest adjustment to the bracket if the shocker is challenging to install. If necessary, slightly bend them to ensure that your new shocks fit properly.

  • The mounting bolts should be tightened with the proper torque.
  • Lower your automobile back to the ground after removing the floor jack from underneath it.
  • Take the chocks off and give your automobile a spin.

There are a few guides we’ve seen that will teach you how to fix the rear shock absorbers (or the front ones, for that matter), but it’s not recommended. The lifespan of a restored shock will be significantly diminished.

You shouldn’t hesitate to choose replacement over repair for a component on which you rely so significantly.

Do shocks need to be compressed before installation?

Customers frequently express these worries to the shock experts at KYB after purchasing new shocks. The KYBguys claim that persuading consumers that the new shock is in perfect working order can be difficult. The shock has likely just “lain around too long,” in actuality.

Let’s get to it:

Twin tube shocks and struts are present in more than 85% of all automobiles. The interior of twin tubes is open so that the hydraulic fluid has somewhere to go when it is operating. Nitrogen gas is used to pressurize that area in order to lessen foaming as the fluid is stirred.

These shocks have a top and bottom, hence their intended use is vertical. The nitrogen gas in the shock will likely try to enter the hydraulic working region during shipping or while the new part is laying sideways on a shelf in the warehouse. The first few strokes will feel as though the shock isn’t working when that occurs.

The solution is easy. The hydraulic fluid will remain where it belongs as long as the fresh shock is applied vertically, and the nitrogen gas will be forced back into the reservoir as it is.

The shock can be “primed before installation, but it’s not necessary: Holding the shock vertically (its natural installation position), stroke it several times to fully compress it before fully extending it.

Due to the shock’s low nitrogen gas pressure, which occasionally seeps into the hydraulic area during prolonged horizontal storage, the initial movement or two may feel like the shock isn’t operating. If this step is skipped before installation, noisy operation and performance degradation may happen briefly. However, the shock will start functioning correctly after a few strokes or when the car starts moving.

Although shock priming is not necessary, it is quick and simple and can shorten the “break-in period” for your new shocks.

How durable are Toyota shocks?

Many different things affect this. Shocks or struts can be compared to tennis shoes. They will last a lot longer if you only use them on the weekends to go shopping than if you ride a skateboard, wear them every day, and constantly use the brakes on your shoes!

This means that if you drive less frequently, on smoother roads, don’t drive aggressively, and don’t haul a lot of weight in your car, your shocks or struts will last longer.

If your car has been well-taken care of, you may anticipate that the shocks/struts will survive for roughly 10 years. Five years is probably the maximum you can hope for if you’ve really treated your automobile like a workhorse. This indicates that the typical driver may expect the shocks and struts to last a maximum of 7 or 8 years.

How do worn-out shocks feel to the touch?

Shocks and struts that are worn out can’t efficiently absorb hits from the road and smooth out the bump. When making a turn, it can feel as though your car is rolling or swaying, which is uncomfortable since it makes you feel as though you aren’t in control of the situation.

Can I put a lift kit on my own?

Many of you may be wondering if you should hire a professional to install your lift kit or whether you can do it yourself.

A raise kit can enhance the appearance and ride of your car. However, the cost of having it installed can be high. Installing a raise kit typically costs between $600 and $700 in shops. In addition to buying the kit itself, this is required. The answer is straightforward for many people. They do it on their own. An easy lift kit installation can be done. However, it takes a lot of time. The installation of the kits takes a skilled professional between 5 and 7 hours. It typically takes an experienced private individual the entire weekend to work on an automobile.

Even while installing the lift kit is simple, it’s not necessarily simple. Additionally, some extremely specific instruments are needed. It will save time and money if you and your pals already have the necessary equipment. Good jacks and jack stands are required. It is much simpler to reach the necessary pieces once the car has been raised up and the axles have been dropped and supported. Additionally, it releases the strain from the suspension’s springs and other components, making replacement and addition much safer and easier. Installing the lift kit shouldn’t be an issue for those who feel confident with this procedure.

Your vehicle’s age and kind are important factors as well. Installing a raise kit on a vehicle with two wheels as opposed to four requires a somewhat different procedure. When you need to fabricate or weld parts for an older car, the process becomes much more difficult and intricate. Some people hire professionals to complete that type of work if their car needs it. However, you and a friend can do the entire process yourselves if you are confident in your abilities and can follow directions. Simply remove the coil spring with caution.

A lift kit installation takes time. It only requires drilling out and replacing rivets once the structure of the car is supported by individual jacks for each axle. A longer driveshaft can be required if the suspension of a four-wheel drive vehicle is being raised significantly. The transfer case’s angle may also need to be changed. Additionally, independent suspension vehicles are a little more labor-intensive and time-consuming. However, you can build your own raise kit as long as the steering linkage, sway bars, brake lines, and shocks are long enough.