How to Replace the Springs in a Toyota Tacoma

The Toyota Tacoma is a highly successful compact truck. The Tacoma offers a wide variety of options and the high performance suspension allows for a large hauling capacity considering its size. The front coil springs on the Tacoma are part of a MacPherson strut assembly while the rear features leaf springs for hauling and decent handling. No special tools are needed to replace the springs.

Difficulty:

Challenging

Instructions

things you'll need:

• Replacement springs
• Safety goggles
• Floor jack and stands
• Socket wrench and sockets
• Box wrench
• Adjustable crescent wrench
• Lug wrench
• Torque wrench
• Spring compressor and associated tools

1. Replacing the Front Springs

   • 1

     Raise the Tacoma and use jack stands to support it securely. Take off the front wheel along with the two bolts on the shock absorber lower mount.

   • 2

     Remove the retainer nut and retainer, cushion and shock absorber. Take off the shock's cushion retainer.

   • 3

     Attach a spring compressor and compress the spring. This can be dangerous if the compressor is not attached properly. Compress the spring slowly.

   • 4

     Support the upper suspension arm and steering knuckle before removing the stabilizer bar and cotter pin.

   • 5

     Loosen and remove the nut. Take the ball joint removal tool and detach the lower ball joint from the lower control arm and loosen the bolt on the suspension arm bolt before removing it along with the bolts on the strut bar front and lower suspension arm and spring.

   • 6

     Replace the coil spring and inspect the strut components for signs of wear before reattaching all components in reverse order. Torque the following to manufacturer's specifications: strut bar front set bolt, lower suspension arm set bolt, lower ball joint nut and the lug nuts.

   • 7

     Put the wheels back on and lower the vehicle. Check the alignment and conduct a safety check before road testing the Tacoma.

   Replacing the Rear Springs

   • 1

     Raise the Tacoma and support the frame and rear axle with jack stands before taking off the wheels.

   • 2

     Remove the fasteners from the lower end of the shock absorber--the cotter pin, nut, and washer--before taking the shock absorber off the spring seat. Remove the parking brake clamp.

   • 3

     Unfasten the U-bolt nuts and remove the spring seat assembly. Use the jack stands to take the weight off the rear springs and unfasten the shackle retaining nuts on the spring.

   • 4

     Pull back the inner plate on the spring shackle and use a bar to pry it loose in order to remove the bracket pin from the front of the spring hanger. Remove the rubber bushing and take off the spring. Be careful around the parking brake cable.

   • 5

     Replace the spring and inspect the other components for signs of wear. Reinstall the rubber bushing into the spring's eye which must be aligned with the hanger bracket. Drive the pin through the holes in the bracket and the rubber bushings.

   • 6

     Reassemble and attach the removed components in reverse order. Tighten the shackle retaining nuts, U-bolt nuts, hanger pin and shackle nuts and cotter pins to the manufacturer's specifications.

   • 7

     Install the wheels. Remove the stands. Bounce the truck to set the suspension. Tighten the shock absorber bolt, hanger pin nut and the shackle pin.

Tips & Warnings

• Buy powder-coated springs. These springs are coated with a rust proofing before the powder paint is applied and baked on. This process makes the spring much more resistant to corrosion.

• Take the pressure off the springs before disassembling. This is potentially very dangerous as the springs carry a great deal of force which is expended when their restraints are released.