Install help needed. Bilstein 5100

coolest dad · 08-22-2008, 09:17 AM

I got the Bilstein 5100's & the shop says they won't fit: can't compress the spring far enough & there are no bushing plates for top bracket & need more bushings/bump stops. What's goin' on?

**Blackbeauty** · 08-22-2008, 09:24 AM

Firstly, where you buy them makes a difference.. Secondly, you should use the washer from your stock shocks as well as the supplied washer from the 5100's or it may pop through the mount. Can't compress the spring enough? Find a different shop......

PrerunnerGreg · 08-22-2008, 09:25 AM

Try a different shop. I can do a set of these in a about 15 minutes. You do need a good spring compressor though.

coolest dad · 08-22-2008, 09:26 AM

Will the increased spring compression stiffen the ride or will these shocks account for that in the damping? I got them from a shop in Detroit online.

sportbiker929 · 08-22-2008, 10:24 AM

you will love'em

cwbrow2 · 08-23-2008, 04:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PrerunnerGreg

Try a different shop. I can do a set of these in a about 15 minutes. You do need a good spring compressor though.

+1 Find a shop that has the capability to do it. I watched my guy do the install and it kicked his *** but he got it done. But I am loving the stability and ride of my Bilsteins!

07cajuntitan · 08-25-2008, 07:09 PM

I just installed mine over the weekend. The shocks went on without a hitch - the spacers were another story for another thread.

The 5100's come with 1 washer - don't even take it off of the shock - leave it there, because that's where it goes. When you take off the factory shock, the factory boot has a washer built into the top of it. The washer that comes with the Bilstein takes the place of it - just above the shock & under the rubber gasket. The washer that was on the top goes back into place.

I brought the coilovers to a Firestone shop to compress the spring & put the new shock inside of the coil. Had I NOT stood outside of the roll-up bay door they WOULD HAVE done it completely wrong. I had to break their "employees only" policy and go show them the correct configuration even though I handed them Bilstein's instructions with the shocks. Even after they installed the shocks I had to make then compress the springs again to properly allign the bolts so I could get them back on the truck.

It's amazing how much people don't give a crap about their jobs. These guys are supposed to be the experts.

coolest dad · 09-03-2008, 10:33 PM

Finally just did 'em myself... took off the Rancho's & went to a body shop. They switched the springs in 25 minutes, took 'em back home, popped right on. I went with the top setting and lowered my headlights 2 turns. Rides great. The Rancho's could be pressed all the way down with only leaning on them! (Shot!!). The 5100's seem to take weight in the bed better also. So far, so good. Thanks to all who helped out!