Important!

This replacement procedure can be used for:
TOYOTA LAND CRUISER (KDJ12_, GRJ12_) 3.0 D (LJ120, LJ125), TOYOTA LAND CRUISER (KDJ12_, GRJ12_) 4.0 (GRJ120, GRJ125, GRJ121), TOYOTA LAND CRUISER (KDJ12_, GRJ12_) 3.0 D-4D (KDJ120, KDJ125), TOYOTA LAND CRUISER (KDJ12_, GRJ12_) 3.0 D-4D (KDJ120), TOYOTA LAND CRUISER (KDJ12_, GRJ12_) 4.0 (GRJ120), TOYOTA LAND CRUISER (KDJ12_, GRJ12_) 2.7 (TRJ120, TRJ125), TOYOTA LAND CRUISER (KDJ12_, GRJ12_) 2.7 (RZJ120, RZJ125), TOYOTA LAND CRUISER (KDJ12_, GRJ12_) 3.0 D (KZJ120), TOYOTA LAND CRUISER (KDJ12_, GRJ12_) 4.0 (GRJ120), TOYOTA LAND CRUISER (KDJ12_, GRJ12_) 3.4 (VZJ121, VZJ125, VZJ120), TOYOTA LAND CRUISER (KDJ12_, GRJ12_) 3.0 D (KZJ120_), TOYOTA LAND CRUISER (KDJ12_, GRJ12_) 3.0 D (KDJ120, KZJ120), TOYOTA LAND CRUISER (KDJ12_, GRJ12_) 4.0 (GRJ120), TOYOTA LAND CRUISER (KDJ12_, GRJ12_) 3.0 D-4D (KDJ120_), TOYOTA LAND CRUISER (KDJ12_, GRJ12_) 4.0 V6 VVT-i (GRJ125) … View more

The steps may slightly vary depending on the car design.

How to change a front shock strut on TOYOTA LAND CRUISER PRADO 3 (J120) [TUTORIAL AUTODOC]

All the parts you need to replace – Shock Absorber for LAND CRUISER (KDJ12_, GRJ12_) and other TOYOTA models

Shock absorber

        Shock absorber for Land Cruiser Prado 120 (J120) Petrol (276 hp)
      
        Shock absorber for Land Cruiser Prado 120 (J120) Diesel (95 hp)
      
        Shock absorber for Land Cruiser Prado 120 (J120) Petrol (249 hp)
      
        Shock absorber for Land Cruiser Prado 120 (J120) Diesel (163 hp)
      
        Shock absorber for Land Cruiser Prado 120 (J120) Diesel (166 hp)
      
        Shock absorber for Land Cruiser Prado 120 (J120) Petrol (185 hp)
      
        Shock absorber for Land Cruiser Prado 120 (J120) Petrol (243 hp)
      
        Shock absorber for Land Cruiser Prado 120 (J120) Petrol (163 hp)
      
        Shock absorber for Land Cruiser Prado 120 (J120) Petrol (152 hp)

Replacement: suspension strut – Toyota Prado J120. Tools you might need:

                        Wire brush
                      
                        WD-40 spray
                      
                        Copper grease 
                      
                        Combination spanner #14
                      
                        Combination spanner #17
                      
                        Combination spanner #19
                      
                        Drive socket # 12 
                      
                        Drive socket # 14 
                      
                        Drive socket # 16 
                      
                        Drive socket # 17 
                      
                        Drive socket # 19 
                      
                        HEX bit No.H6.
                      
                        Wheel impact socket #21
                      
                        Torque wrench
                      
                        Tap wrench
                      
                        Hammer
                      
                        Pin punch
                      
                        Adjustable wrench
                      
                        Crow bar
                      
                        Hydraulic strut spring compressor
                      
                        Hydraulic transmission jack
                      
                        Wheel chock

Buy tools

Replacement: suspension strut – Toyota Prado J120. Professionals recommend:

Both shock struts of the front suspension should be replaced simultaneously.
The replacement procedure is identical for the left and right shock struts of the front suspension.
All work should be done with the engine stopped.

Replacement: suspension strut – Toyota Prado J120. Use the following procedure:

Step 1

Secure the wheels with chocks.
Step 2

Loosen the wheel mounting bolts. Use wheel impact socket #21.
Step 3

Raise the front of the car and secure on supports.
Step 4

Unscrew the wheel bolts.

Replacement: suspension strut – Toyota Prado J120. AUTODOC recommends:
To avoid injury, hold up the wheel when unscrewing the bolts.
Step 5

Remove the wheel.
Step 6

Undo the fasteners of the oil pan lower cover. Use a drive socket #12.
Step 7

Remove the oil pan cover.

Step 8

Clean the shock strut fasteners. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 9

Unscrew the fasteners connecting the stabilizer link to the steering knuckle. Use a drive socket #17. Use HEX No.H6. Use a combination spanner #17.
Step 10

Unscrew the fasteners of the stabilizer bush brackets. Use a drive socket #14.
Step 11

Remove the stabiliser bar.

Replacement: suspension strut – Toyota Prado J120. AUTODOC experts recommend:
Make sure that the stabiliser bar is supported.
Step 12

Clean the fastener connecting the ball joint to the steering knuckle. Clean the shock strut fasteners. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 13

Unscrew the lower fastener of the shock absorber strut. Use a drive socket #19.
Step 14

Unscrew the ball joint fastening to the steering knuckle. Use a drive socket #19. Use a tap wrench.
Step 15

Remove the fastening bolt. Use a pin punch. Use a hammer.
Step 16

Disconnect the lower arm from the steering knuckle.

Step 17.1

Clean the shock strut fasteners.

Step 17.2

Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 18

Unscrew the upper fastening of the shock absorber strut. Use a combination spanner #14.
Step 19

Remove the fastening bolt.
Step 20

Detach the bottom part of the shock strut. Use a crowbar.
Step 21

Prop up the steering knuckle. Use a hydraulic transmission jack.
Step 22

Pull down the suspension control arm. Remove the suspension strut. Use a crowbar.
Step 23

Set the shock absorber strut on the spring compressor tool.

Replacement: suspension strut – Toyota Prado J120. Tip:
Note that when using a spring compressor, spring coils need to be securely gripped, compressing the spring on the opposite sides.Ensure the correct position of the spring in the retainer.Make sure that the spring coils tightly entered the lock handles.
Step 24

Compress the spring.
Step 25

Clean the shock absorber rod. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 26

Remove the strut piston rod nut. Use a combination spanner #17. Use an adjustable wrench.
Step 27

Remove the top strut mount. Use a crowbar.
Step 28

Release the coil spring.
Step 29

Remove the spring.
Step 30

Remove the old shock absorber from the hydraulic coil spring compressor.

Replacement: suspension strut – Toyota Prado J120. Tip from AUTODOC:
Before installing a new shock absorber you should pump it manually 3-5 times.
Step 31

Install the new shock absorber on the hydraulic coil spring compressor.
Step 32

Install the spring on the shock absorber.
Step 33

Compress the spring.
Step 34

Install the upper strut mount and the strut mount bearing.
Step 35

Tighten the shock strut piston rod nut. Use a combination spanner #17. Use an adjustable wrench. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 25 Nm torque.

AUTODOC recommends:
Check to make sure the spring is positioned correctly. Avoid its misalignment.
Step 36

Decompress the spring.
Step 37

Remove the assembled shock strut.
Step 38

Clean the mounting seats of the shock strut. Use a wire brush.
Step 39

Treat the mounting seats of the shock strut. Use copper grease.
Step 40

Install the shock strut into the wheel arch.
Step 41

Screw the top fastening of the shock strut mount. Do not tighten it.
Step 42

Clean the ball joint mounting seat. Use WD-40 spray.

Step 43

Connect the lower arm to the steering knuckle.
Step 44

Remove the support from under the steering knuckle.

AUTODOC recommends:
Replacement: suspension strut – Toyota Prado J120. Lower the transmission jack smoothly, without jerks, to avoid damaging components and mechanisms.
Step 45

Attach the bottom part of the shock strut. Use a crowbar. Use a pin punch.
Step 46

Install the fastening bolt.
Step 47

Support the arm. Use a hydraulic transmission jack.

Step 48

Install the fastening bolt. Use a drive socket #19.
Step 49

Screw in the lower fastener of the shock strut. Use a drive socket #19. Use a combination spanner #19.

Step 50

Screw the fastener connecting the ball joint to the steering knuckle. Use a drive socket #19. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 140 Nm torque.
Step 51

Tighten the lower fastening of the shock absorber. Use a combination spanner #19. Use a drive socket #19. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 135 Nm torque.

Step 52

Remove the support from under the arm.

AUTODOC recommends:
Toyota Prado J120 – Do not lower the transmission jack sharply to avoid damaging components and mechanisms of the car.
Step 53

Tighten the shock strut top mount. Use a drive socket #14. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 54 Nm torque.
Step 54

Clean the mounting seats of the stabilizer bushes. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 55

Install the stabiliser bar.
Step 56

Screw the fasteners of the stabilizer bush brackets. Use a drive socket #14. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 25 Nm torque.
Step 57

Tighten the fasteners connecting the stabilizer link to the steering knuckle. Use a combination spanner #17. Use a drive socket #17. Use HEX No.H6. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 65 Nm torque.
Step 58

Treat the shock strut fasteners. Use copper grease.
Step 59

Reinstall the oil pan lower cover.
Step 60

Tighten the fasteners of the oil pan lower cover. Use a drive socket #12.
Step 61

Clean the wheel rim mounting seat. Use a wire brush. Treat the contacting surface. Use copper grease.
Step 62

Install the wheel.

AUTODOC recommends:
Important! Hold the wheel while screwing in the fastening bolts. Toyota Prado J120
Step 63

Screw in the wheel bolts. Use wheel impact socket #21.
Step 64

Lower the car and working in a cross order, tighten the wheel bolts. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 112 Nm torque.
Step 65

Remove the jacks and chocks.

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