Shock not centered in spring

A little history on the truck...96 4wd with 217k. PO installed Bilstein 5100s at some point. As far as I know, the coils were stock when I bought the truck. The shocks were both set at the middle setting by the PO.

Now onto my problem. I replaced the springs with OME 883s. When I took the assembly apart on the drivers side the bushings were completely destroyed and there was a groove worn in the shock shaft where it had been rubbing against the top mount...this would explain the squeaking that had been going on. I bought new top mount plates because the holes that the shaft runs through were wallered out. I didn't really pay attention to the old setup before I took it apart but with the new spring the shock is not centered in the spring. I think this may be where the occasional clunking noise is coming from when I go over bumps or turn the wheels.




Before anyone asks, the bottom spring seat is on correctly. It seemed as if the spring wasn't sitting correctly on the spring seat. I had to put it back on the truck as is because I needed it for work but I would like to figure out what's going on and fix it. Has anyone else ever had this problem? Do I need different spring seats? Do they make different spring seats? Do I need different bushings? I just got some standard bushings from the parts store because I was in a rush to get it put back together.

 

I can see in your second photo that the shock shaft is not centered in the top cap. Is the center hole in the top cap centered or is it offset? Are the three holes in the top cap symmetrical? I mean, if you rotate the cap, does the center hole move, or is the shock shaft still offset? Just thinkin' aloud here...

 

That top hole is centered and the 3 holes are symmetrical. The shock was off center before I installed in the truck. As soon as I put the spring and shock together I could tell it was off. It seems to be that the spring seat is not the correct one and that's what is causing the misalignment.

 

Sounds like a little more work is needed. I would call whomever I purchased the set-up from and ask if the shock shaft is supposed to be centered in the spring mount. It might be helpful if you send the vendor your second photograph so he can see exactly what you see.

 

this is from OME but may still show how it is supposed to be.



notice the "important" part. that retainer has a smaller diameter hole to help center the shock's shaft.

 

Yeah, almost like he's missing that centering washer or retainer. Good find on the diagram. Seems the order of the washers and bushings throw some people off.

 

After a while, the center hole in the top hat can get wallowed out. Kinda looks like that might be what has happened here.

Um... never mind. I'll try reading next time.

 

OP bought new top mount plates.

@Csmith8911 where did you get the top plates from?

 

Got them from oreillys. The plates are fine but I definitely don't have that "important" bushing. I bet that's my problem. Anyone know where to get those bushings? Maybe a whole kit?

 

need new strut mounts (upper spring seat). also looks like a cushion is missing.
@frizzman diagram shows perfectly.

 

missed this at first. You want to make sure the bushings you get are correctly sized for the top plate. if they are too small O.D. they will move back and forth. this is why the kits come with all new bushings.

edit: you will maybe want to look at an online retailer to see if they sell just the bushing kits, or to contact Bilstein and see what's recommended.

edit2: notice the top retaining washer and the bushing under it in the diagram, they are sized to fit the bushing inside the lip of the retainer and the top plate to keep it centered.

 

I replaced the upper strut mounts. After looking over that diagram, it seems I don't have all the necessary bushings

 

I will do some research tonite after work and see if I can't find a bushing kit. I'm sure Bilstein sells them

 

bam, $20, hell yeah.

 

Look at this guy. That's why I love this forum

 

https://bilsteinlifts.com/shop/toyota-fj-cruiser/front-shock-replacement-bushing-washer-kit/

 

Well, I ordered the correct bushings from the Toyota stealership (48 freaking dollars later) and picked them up and installed today. There's a metal bushing that centers the shock in the top plate and that's what I was missing. Fixed my problem of the shock leaning to one side inside the spring. Maybe the knocking noise will go away now

 

Good work! So what's $48...

 

Yep, that center "important" washer is a big deal. I had my bilsteins done at a local shop and they didn't put one back in and I had a clunk as well. Went to Toyota and got the part for 15$. Took them back to the shop and they gladly fixed the issue.

 

I am so glad I fount this post... I just couldnt understand Toyota allowing the shock to float around.