6112 Install Help

Well I guess its my turn to ask for help from the Tundra gurus...attempted my 6112 install this morning - I've scoured the forums and YouTube for a couple of months trying to absorb as much experience from others as I can and I'm stuck trying to reconnect the LCA to the spindle. Tagging @ColoradoTJ as he seems to know this stuff well.

Heres my situation:

1. I disconnected the sway bar on both sides and moved the end links up out of the way.
2. I disconencted the LCA from the lower ball joint like many suggested, lowered the LCA, removed old strut assembly and installed the 6112 (set at 1.9" with a 1/4" shim). Got the lower shock bolt installed just fine.
3. To reassemble, I used the floor jack to raise the LCA to meet the lower ball joint spindle and I can't get them close enough to hand thread the 22 mm bolts (maybe 1/4"-1/2" apart and can't get the threads to engage). I checked to make sure the CV joint was not pulled out and I'm pulling down on the UCA to get them to meet and no luck.
4. I can articulate the spindle assembly up and down just fine - I can manually rotate the CV axle. If I continue to jack on the LCA, the truck lifts off the jack.

When I try to line up the lower ball joint with LCA I can get the bolt close to the thread holes but it seems slightly out of alignment and the threads just won't engage.

What am I doing wrong? Do I need to really pull down on the UCA to get them to meet? I am afraid to use too much force in fear of pulling out the CV axle.

Thanks...if any pics would help, let me know.

 

@14burrito @dcsleeper408 might be able to chime in

I had the same problem as you are having. It was a lot of swearing and leverage from a breaker bar. I went at it for a while, and finally got it to work (cant remember the "ahh ha" moment).

 

Thanks - I’m wondering if I am just not pulling down on the UCA enough. I was just pulling by hand but maybe a pry bar is what I need?

 

You can try to pry it for a little leverage.
But best to just loosen the uca a tad to bring it down far enough. Keep the lca supported with the jack at the jack at its highest point before lifting the truck.

 

I'd suggest this, personally...

Take the coilover out.
Reconnect the LCA and spindle.
Disconnect the UCA and spindle, cam bolts still loose.
Reinstall coilover.
Reconnect UCA and spindle.

Hope you get it figured out!

 

I had the truck about an inch off the jacks - I’m going to go back and try a little more force on the UCA and jack the LCA as suggested. I’ll keep you posted.

 

I gave it another try, jacked the truck higher and it’s a little closer. Now I can get the bolt in the spindle assembly but just can’t get the threads engaged.

I did not loosen the tie rod - but would that help? My LCA bolts were a b*tch to loosen so possible the UCA bolts are as well

 

No need to loosen your tie rods. Get the uca bolt a little loose and you’ll be fine. Put it back on the jack stand when you try to loosen it.

 

Update: success! Turns out I had to jack up the LCA more and pull down on the UCA more. It was difficult getting the bolts threaded into the lower ball joint assembly but I just kept having to manipulate the spindle assembly to lime things up.

I can’t thank you all enough for the suggestions! Now on to the other side.

Edit: I wanted to add what the trick that helped me - I found this video (don't endorse the actual lift kit) that shows using a ratchet strap around the UCA and LCA to pull the LCA up to meet the lower ball joint assembly - this was the trick that made it so much easier on the other side! Overall the job is not that bad, I did it in my driveway with basic hand tools. Having an impact wrench would definitely make it go faster.

https://youtu.be/KyloaYxFgU8?t=394