OME front strut orientation

Hey folks,

I’m in the middle of installing my OME 8400 strut assemblies (thanks 1stgenoffroad!) and curious if the assemblies are left/right specific? I don’t see any markings, but have read that the OE coils are indeed side specific. I tried using the search function, but just came back with color codes for OE coil springs.

The assemblies are installed, but I’m willing to remove and reinstall if they’re side specific.

 

Trying to remember if my OEM coils were side specific...what I remember for sure was that the orientation on the front shocks, and on the truck, was definitely important. The part numbers on the website are different, but when they came I think they were the same, but one had an L and the other an R. So I don't know...

https://www.tundras.com/threads/assembling-front-coils-shocks-on-2002.141816/

 

I don’t remember there being any difference in my 2885s except that the kit came with a slim for drivers side install.

Untreated pic as this is just one I have handy taken shortly after install on the opposite side

 

No shims on either of these assemblies. Looks like some companies install them, maybe 1stgenoffroad doesn’t? I’ll snap a pic here shortly of the assemblies installed.

So it sounds like if they’re pre-assembled, I should be okay in regards to orientation?

 

Also any tips on getting these damn rusted cotter pins out from the LBJ? I ended up taking a grinder disk to the drivers side, then zippping it off with my 1/2” gun. Trying not to be such a savage on the passenger side if I don’t need to.

 

If they're pre-assembled, yes. Just confirm that the bottom end of the spring is pointing generally the right direction when you fit it on the truck.

I know when I put OME shocks and spring on my Tacoma, I didn't know there was a correct orientation, so I just assembled and installed. No idea if I did it right...I would guess it does matter for ride quality, but I'm not convinced it's critical. Unless I just happened to get both sides right by sheer luck. I'm guessing I didn't...Put 30,000 miles on those shocks/coils before selling the truck.

 

Watching the timmy the toolman videos, he uses what he calls dikes. Dykes? Look like large wire cutters. Grabbing the folded end with those and working it out works for me, along with a little tapping on the other end, once it's straightened out. Prep with PB Blaster is always a good idea whether or not you're in a rusty area. If I'm planning a job, I'll try to spray it multiple days in a row before the job.

 

Thanks MT Tundra. Seems like they can really only be installed one way in order to line up the top 3 bolts with the bottom mounting bolt. Does the bottom spring perch need to be facing a certain direction?

Apologies for the noob questions, first time doing a suspension swap!

 

As far as orientation on the assembled strut, the sticker on the spring faces the outside of the vehicle

 

No. They can line up a variety of ways. I took the driver side shock/coil apart two or three times before I got it right. Until tight, the shock can rotate. Just like on the rears where you need to hold the top rod of the shock while tightening the top bolt, the fronts will spin until everything's tight. So the bottom plate orientation can be pointed any direction along the 360 degrees. Got to line it up correctly then tighten the top bolt without letting the rest of the shock spin.

 

You’re talking about when assembling the shock and coil spring then, correct? Mine came pre-assembled, which I assume would be assembled in the correct manner?

 

Oh oh right, sorry. Yeah so here's where they are side-specific. If you look at the last diagram I posted in the linked thread, it shows that the drive side lower spring end needs to face forward and out, while the passenger side lower coil end needs to face back and out.

 

This is drivers side

 

Passengers side

 

Huh. If that's the only way they'll line up with the bottom and top mounts, then I'm not sure I'd worry about it. Anyone know how critical this is? Based on the diagram, doesn't look like either of yours line up the way the service manual recommends, although it's kind of hard to tell from the photos.

 

So I removed both coil assemblies to swap sides, but the lower spring ends still don’t match up with the diagrams .

Well, looks like I’ll button the front end up, drive it and see if anything feels off.

 

Well hopefully I didn't cause a bunch of extra work. I did a little searching and found this from a couple years ago.



While as usual there's conflicting opinions on the internet, the above seems to be the most common one. Toyota FSM says it should be done a particular way. Bilstein and random people on the internet say that in most applications, it doesn't matter. Though I can't tell for sure here if he's saying Bilstein agreed that orientation doesn't matter, or if they just said things can be rotated in place during install. But there's a big difference between rotating the shock body during install of the whole unit, and getting the coil spring end oriented during assembly...

 

Appreciate the digging MT. Sounds like I’m in the clear then.
I got everything buttoned back up to torque specs, went for a 5 mile or so drive and everything seems okay ‍♂️. Alignment even seems to still be in spec (counted turns on new tie rods).

Also, for those wondering, OME lift kit w/ 2884 coils still produces a bit of a rear sag on a DC tundra. Looks like I’ll need an AAL now…

 

How do you like the OME setup? I'm on the fence about buying them for myself.

 

The 5100s in the rear pair really nicely with the 2885s up front. I didn’t expect to notice as big of a difference as I did.

 

Awesome. That's actually what I was looking at doing as well, the OME 885 nitro struts w/ 5100s on the rear. Thanks!