Front Shock Absorber: Installation

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2008 Lexus IS F. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

HINT.

Use the same procedure for the LH side and RH side.
The following procedure listed is for the LH side.

INSTALL FRONT SHOCK ABSORBER
1. Install the front lower coil spring insulator to the front shock absorber so that both recessed parts are aligned
  
  Fig 1: Identifying Front Shock Absorber Recessed Parts
  Courtesy of © TOYOTA, LICENSE AGREEMENT TMS1002
2. Using SST, compress the front coil spring
  SST 09727-30021 (09727-00010, 09727-00021, 09727-00031)
  
  NOTE: Do not use an impact wrench. It will damage SST.
  
  Fig 2: Compressing Front Coil Spring
  Courtesy of © TOYOTA, LICENSE AGREEMENT TMS1002
3. Install the front coil spring so that the end comes to the stepped portion to the lower spring seat.
  
  Fig 3: Installing Front Coil Spring
  Courtesy of © TOYOTA, LICENSE AGREEMENT TMS1002
4. Install the front spring bumper on the front suspension support assembly.
5. Align the bolt of the front suspension support assembly with the cutout of the front upper coil spring insulator, and install the front upper coil spring insulator on the front suspension support assembly
  
  Fig 4: Identifying Front Suspension Support Assembly With Front Upper Coil Spring Insulator
  Courtesy of © TOYOTA, LICENSE AGREEMENT TMS1002
6. Match the shape of the piston rod end to the shape of the front suspension support assembly to install the front shock absorber.
7. Install the front actuator support bracket.
8. Temporarily tighten a new lock nut to the front shock absorber.
  
  Fig 5: Installing Front Shock Absorber
  Courtesy of © TOYOTA, LICENSE AGREEMENT TMS1002
9. Adjust the front suspension support assembly so that the bolts come to the positions shown in the illustration, and remove the SST from the front coil spring
  NOTE:
  - Do not use an impact wrench. It will damage the SST.
  - Make sure of the direction of the front suspension support assembly when removing the SST.
  Fig 6: Adjusting Front Suspension Support Assembly
  Courtesy of © TOYOTA, LICENSE AGREEMENT TMS1002
TEMPORARILY TIGHTEN FRONT SHOCK ABSORBER WITH COIL SPRING
1. Install the front shock absorber with front coil spring and front No. 3 spring support reinforcement on the vehicle by tightening the 3 nuts on the suspension support side
  Torque: 67 N*m (683 kgf*cm, 49 ft.*lbf)
  
  Fig 7: Locating Upper Side Of Front Suspension Support Nuts
  Courtesy of © TOYOTA, LICENSE AGREEMENT TMS1002
2. Insert the bolt from the rear of the vehicle, and install the front shock absorber lower side on the front lower suspension arm.
3. Temporarily tighten the nut while holding the bolt.
  HINT:
  
  Fully tighten the nut after stabilizing the suspension.
  
  Fig 8: Locating Front Shock Absorber Bolts
  Courtesy of © TOYOTA, LICENSE AGREEMENT TMS1002
4. Tighten a new lock nut.
  Torque: 28 N*m (286 kgf*cm, 21 ft.*lbf)
Fig 9: Locating Front Shock Absorber Lock Nut
Courtesy of © TOYOTA, LICENSE AGREEMENT TMS1002
INSTALL FRONT UPPER SUSPENSION ARM ASSEMBLY
1. Install the steering knuckle to the front upper suspension arm assembly, and install them with the nut.
  Torque: 87 N*m (887 kgf*cm, 64 ft.*lbf)
  
  Fig 10: Locating Front Upper Suspension Arm Assembly Nut
  Courtesy of © TOYOTA, LICENSE AGREEMENT TMS1002
2. Install a new clip to the steering knuckle.
  NOTE:
  - Further tighten the nut up to 60° if the holes for the clip are not aligned.
  - Do not loosen the nut to align the holes for the clip.
INSTALL STEERING KNUCKLE WITH AXLE ASSEMBLY
1. Install the steering knuckle with axle assembly to the front lower ball joint assembly with the 2 bolts.
  Torque: 120 N*m (1223 kgf*cm, 89 ft.*lbf)
  
  Fig 11: Locating Steering Knuckle With Axle Assembly Bolts
  Courtesy of © TOYOTA, LICENSE AGREEMENT TMS1002
INSTALL FRONT DISC (See INSTALLATION )
INSTALL FRONT DISC BRAKE CYLINDER ASSEMBLY
1. Install the front disc brake cylinder assembly with the 2 bolts.
  Torque: 78 N*m (795 kgf*cm, 58 ft.*lbf)
NOTE: Do not twist the brake hose when installing the front disc brake cylinder assembly.

Fig 12: Locating Front Disc Brake Cylinder Assembly Bolts
Courtesy of © TOYOTA, LICENSE AGREEMENT TMS1002
CONNECT FRONT SPEED SENSOR
1. Install the front speed sensor to the front shock absorber with coil spring with the 2 bolts.
  Torque: 6.0 N*m (61 kgf*cm, 53 in.*lbf)
  NOTE:
  - Do not twist the front speed sensor while installing it.
  - Be careful not to deform the bracket of the front shock absorber with coil spring when installing the bolts.
2. Connect the front speed sensor connector.
Fig 13: Locating Front Speed Sensor Bolts
Courtesy of © TOYOTA, LICENSE AGREEMENT TMS1002
INSTALL FRONT STABILIZER LINK ASSEMBLY
1. Install the front stabilizer link assembly with the 2 nuts
  Torque: 84 N*m (857 kgf*cm, 62 ft.*lbf)
  
  HINT.
  
  If the ball joint turns together with the nut, use a hexagon wrench (6 mm) to hold the stud bolt
  
  Fig 14: Locating Front Stabilizer Link Nuts
  Courtesy of © TOYOTA, LICENSE AGREEMENT TMS1002
STABILIZE SUSPENSION
1. Install the front wheel.
  Torque: 103 N*m (1050 kgf*cm, 76 ft.*lbf)
2. Lower the vehicle and bounce it up and down several times to stabilize the front suspension Raise the vehicle
3. Remove the front wheel.
4. Jack up the front lower suspension arm placing a wooden block in between Apply a load to the front suspension so that the front lower suspension arm is placed in a horizontal position
Fig 15: Setting Front Lower Suspension Arm
Courtesy of © TOYOTA, LICENSE AGREEMENT TMS1002
FULLY TIGHTEN FRONT SHOCK ABSORBER WITH COIL SPRING
1. Fully tighten the bolt on the lower side of the front shock absorber while holding the nut
  Torque: 157 N*m (1601 kgf*cm, 116 ft.*lbf)
Fig 16: Locating Lower Side Of Front Shock Absorber Bolts
Courtesy of © TOYOTA, LICENSE AGREEMENT TMS1002
INSTALL ENGINE ROOM SIDE COVER LH (See INSTALLATION )
INSTALL COOL AIR INTAKE DUCT SEAL (See INSTALLATION )
INSTALL FRONT WHEEL
Torque: 103 N*m (1050 kgf*cm, 76 ft.*lbf)
CHECK FOR SPEED SENSOR SIGNAL
HINT:

Check for speed sensor signal. (See TEST MODE PROCEDURE )
INSPECT AND ADJUST FRONT WHEEL ALIGNMENT
HINT.

Inspect and adjust front wheel alignment (See ADJUSTMENT )