T-SB-0040-18

T-SB-0040-18
May 29, 2018
Front Shock Absorber With Coil Spring Reassembly
Service
Category
Suspension
Section
Front Suspension
Market USA
Applicability
YEAR(S)
MODEL(S)
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
2005 - 2015
Tacoma
VDS(s): JX4CN, NX22N, NX4CN, TU22N,
TU4CN, TX22N, TX4CN
Introduction
Referencing this Service Bulletin provides best practice procedures when reassembling and
installing the front shock absorber with coil spring.
Some 2005 – 2015 model year Tacoma vehicles with applicable VDS have a different coil spring
diameter. This may lead to a lateral force applied to the support plate upon reassembly of the
front shock absorber with coil spring assembly. This may cause the inner rubber sleeve of the
support plate to pull out when spring tension is released and the support plate to tilt.
NOTE
This Service Bulletin ONLY provides best practices for front shock absorber with coil spring assembly.
The Repair Manual MUST be referenced with this bulletin when performing front shock absorber with coil
spring assembly replacement.
Warranty Information
OP CODE
DESCRIPTION
TIME
OFP
T1
T2
N/A
Not Applicable to Warranty
–
–
–
–
© 2018 Toyota Motor Sales, USA
Page 1 of 5
T-SB-0040-18
May 29, 2018
Page 2 of 5
Front Shock Absorber With Coil Spring Reassembly
Best Practices (Service Part Only)
Use the following best practices to reduce the chances of the inner rubber sleeve of the strut front
suspension support sub-assembly from tearing after reassembly.
1. Replace the front shock absorber with coil spring assembly and front suspension support
sub-assembly together.
NOTE
Apply a thin coat of a lithium-based grease to the shock absorber rod where it contacts the inner
rubber sleeve on the support plate.
Refer to TIS, applicable model and model year Repair Manual:

2005 Tacoma:
Suspension – All – “Front Suspension: Front Shock Absorber With Coil Spring (2WD):
Removal / Disassembly / Reassembly / Installation”

2006 Tacoma:
Suspension – All – “Suspension: Front Shock Absorber:
Removal / Disassembly / Reassembly / Installation”

2007 Tacoma:
Suspension – All – “Suspension: Front Shock Absorber:
Removal / Disassembly / Reassembly / Installation”

2008 Tacoma:
Suspension – All – “Suspension: Front Shock Absorber:
Removal / Disassembly / Reassembly / Installation”

2009 Tacoma:
Suspension – All – “Suspension: Front Shock Absorber:
Removal / Disassembly / Reassembly / Installation”

2010 Tacoma:
Suspension – All – “Suspension: Front Shock Absorber:
Removal / Disassembly / Reassembly / Installation”

2011 Tacoma:
Suspension – All – “Suspension: Front Shock Absorber:
Removal / Disassembly / Reassembly / Installation”

2012 Tacoma:
Suspension – All – “Suspension: Front Shock Absorber:
Removal / Disassembly / Reassembly / Installation”

2013 Tacoma:
Suspension – All – “Suspension: Front Shock Absorber:
Removal / Disassembly / Reassembly / Installation”

2014 Tacoma:
Suspension – All – “Suspension: Front Shock Absorber:
Removal / Disassembly / Reassembly / Installation”

2015 Tacoma:
Suspension – All – “Suspension: Front Shock Absorber:
Removal / Disassembly / Reassembly / Installation”
© 2018 Toyota Motor Sales, USA
T-SB-0040-18
May 29, 2018
Page 3 of 5
Front Shock Absorber With Coil Spring Reassembly
Best Practices (Service Part Only) (continued)
2. While following the Repair Manual procedure for orientation, it is important to note the lateral
force direction the spring applies to the strut support plate and shock absorber rod.
The strut support plate and shock absorber rod need to be perpendicular to avoid the inner
rubber sleeve from pulling out when tension is released
3. Reinstall the front shock absorber with coil spring assembly into the vehicle using the original
shock mount nuts. Torque to specified value.
4. Lower the vehicle to resting position ride height, but leave the lift arms set under
the vehicle.
© 2018 Toyota Motor Sales, USA
T-SB-0040-18
May 29, 2018
Page 4 of 5
Front Shock Absorber With Coil Spring Reassembly
Best Practices (Service Part Only) (continued)
5. Remove the shock absorber rod nut,
front shock absorber cushion retainer,
and front shock absorber cushion No. 1
to expose the top of the front suspension
support sub-assembly.
Figure 1.
1
6
2
6. Visually inspect the inner rubber sleeve of
the front suspension support sub-assembly.
The inner rubber sleeve of the front
suspension support sub-assembly will likely
be deformed as shown in Figure 2.
5
CAUTION
Do NOT lift the vehicle too high without
the shock absorber rod nut. The shock
absorber rod nut could pull out of the
front suspension support sub-assembly
due to spring tension under vehicle load.
Figure 2. Deformed Inner Rubber Sleeve
4
3
1
Shock Absorber Rod Nut
2
Shock Absorber Cushion Retainer
3
Shock Absorber Cushion No. 1
4
Suspension Support Sub-assembly
5
Shock Absorber Rod
6
Inner Rubber Sleeve Location
Figure 3. Normal Inner Rubber Sleeve
© 2018 Toyota Motor Sales, USA
T-SB-0040-18
May 29, 2018
Page 5 of 5
Front Shock Absorber With Coil Spring Reassembly
Best Practices (Service Part Only) (continued)
7. Reinstall the shock absorber rod nut for safety.
NOTE
Secure the shock absorber rod nut with only a few turns, ensuring contact with AT LEAST
3 – 4 threads.
8. Bump the lift controls slowly and raise the vehicle approximately no more than 1/2 inch.
NOTE
Do NOT lift the vehicle too high. Small increments are important as the inner sleeve will hit a point
where it pulls down below the surface. This will require starting over from initial reassembly to
properly correct this condition.
9. Push the inner rubber sleeve down into the
front suspension support sub-assembly and
make sure it is as flush as possible.
Figure 4. Ideal Condition
NOTE
Perform a “fingernail test” to confirm proper fit.
There should be minimal difference in height
between the inner rubber sleeve and front
suspension support sub-assembly.
10. Once the inner rubber sleeve is flush, remove the shock absorber rod nut from the shock
absorber rod and make sure no tension is being applied.
NOTE
Do NOT lower or raise to reinstall the front shock absorber cushion No. 1 as the inner rubber sleeve
can move.
11. Reinstall the front shock absorber cushion No. 1, front shock absorber cushion retainer, and
shock absorber rod nut. Make sure to torque the shock absorber rod nut to the specifications
in the Repair Manual.
12. Lower the vehicle and perform a road test to confirm the condition is no longer present.
© 2018 Toyota Motor Sales, USA