FRONT SHOCK ABSORBER (for 4WD): Removal: Removal

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2009 Lexus IS 350 and 2009 Lexus IS 250. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

REMOVE FRONT WHEEL
SEPARATE FRONT HEIGHT CONTROL SENSOR LINK ASSEMBLY
1. Remove the bolt from the front lower suspension arm.
  
  Fig 1: Identifying Front Height Control Sensor Link Assembly And Bolt
  Courtesy of © TOYOTA, LICENSE AGREEMENT TMS1002
SEPARATE FRONT SPEED SENSOR
1. Disconnect the speed sensor connector.
  
  Fig 2: Identifying Front Speed Sensor And Bolts
  Courtesy of © TOYOTA, LICENSE AGREEMENT TMS1002
2. Remove the 3 bolts and separate the front speed sensor from the front shock absorber with coil spring.
  NOTE:
  Be careful not to deform the bracket of the front shock absorber with coil spring when removing the bolt.
SEPARATE FRONT UPPER SUSPENSION ARM
1. Remove the clip and nut.
  
  Fig 3: Locating Front Upper Suspension Arm, Nut And Clip
  Courtesy of © TOYOTA, LICENSE AGREEMENT TMS1002
2. Using SST, remove the upper ball joint from the steering knuckle.
  
  Fig 4: Identifying Upper Ball Joint, Steering Knuckle And Special Tool
  Courtesy of © TOYOTA, LICENSE AGREEMENT TMS1002
  - SST: 09628-00011
  NOTE:
  - Use wire or something similar to suspend the steering knuckle and prevent it from hanging down by the flexible hose.
  - Do not damage the ball joint dust cover or steering knuckle.
  - Securely position the SST on the spacer of the steering knuckle.
  - If the spacer of the steering knuckle comes off, replace the steering knuckle with a new one.
SEPARATE TIE ROD ASSEMBLY . Refer to REMOVAL - Step 6
REMOVE ENGINE ROOM SIDE COVER
1. Remove the 4 clips and engine room side cover.
  
  Fig 5: Identifying Engine Room Side Cover
  Courtesy of © TOYOTA, LICENSE AGREEMENT TMS1002
2. Loosen the lock nut of the front shock absorber.
  
  Fig 6: Identifying Front Shock Absorber Lock Nut
  Courtesy of © TOYOTA, LICENSE AGREEMENT TMS1002
  NOTE:
  - Do not remove the lock nut.
  - Loosen the lock nut only when disassembling the front shock absorber with coil spring.
3. Remove the 3 nuts from the upper side of the front suspension support.
  
  Fig 7: Identifying Upper Side Front Suspension Support And Nuts
  Courtesy of © TOYOTA, LICENSE AGREEMENT TMS1002
4. Remove the front No. 3 spring support reinforcement.
REMOVE FRONT SHOCK ABSORBER WITH COIL SPRING
1. Support the front lower suspension arm with a jack.
  
  Fig 8: Identifying Front Lower Suspension Arm And Nut
  Courtesy of © TOYOTA, LICENSE AGREEMENT TMS1002
  
  NOTE:
  Be sure to place a wooden block between the jack and the front lower suspension arm to avoid damage.
2. Loosen the nut and front upper shock absorber bracket plate.
  NOTE:
  Leave the nut and bracket plate installed to prevent the front shock absorber from falling.
3. Slowly lower the jack.
4. Remove the nut, bracket plate, and front shock absorber with coil spring.
REMOVE FRONT SHOCK ABSORBER
1. Install SST to the front coil spring so that the 2 hooks on the SST are fully extended.
  
  Fig 9: Compressing Front Coil Spring With SST
  Courtesy of © TOYOTA, LICENSE AGREEMENT TMS1002
2. Fully compress the front coil spring with the SST.
  - SST: 09727-30021
    - 09727-00010
    - 09727-00021
    - 09727-00031
  NOTE:
  Do not use an impact wrench. It will damage the SST.
3. Remove the lock nut.
4. Remove the front suspension support assembly with the front upper coil spring insulator.
  
  Fig 10: Identifying Front Suspension Support Assembly And Front Spring Bumper
  Courtesy of © TOYOTA, LICENSE AGREEMENT TMS1002
5. Remove the front upper coil spring insulator from the front suspension support assembly.
6. Remove the front spring bumper from the front suspension support assembly.
7. Remove the front coil spring and SST.
  NOTE:
  Do not use an impact wrench. It will damage the SST.
8. Remove the front lower coil spring insulator.
9. Secure the front lower shock absorber bracket in a vise between aluminum plates.
  
  Fig 11: Identifying Front Lower Shock Absorber Bracket And Bolt
  Courtesy of © TOYOTA, LICENSE AGREEMENT TMS1002
  
  NOTE:
  The shell case may be damaged if the shock absorber is secured in a vise. Be sure to secure the front lower shock absorber bracket instead.
10. Remove the bolt from front lower shock absorber bracket.