Bilstein install. What did I do wrong?

[PurpleRT]

Might wanna put a little anti seize on the Bilsteins threads just in case you ever need to move that clip again or remove the spring.

 

[z0n3]

When I did the 5100's on my off road package truck the cheap little rental spring compressors were bending pretty badly. I remember not wanting to even touch the entire assembly in fear of one snapping and kill me or my buddy.

 

[CHeYeNNe71]

I've always taken the front struts to a shop for $30 and let them swap the coils. I might not be the best looking guy, but I wanna keep what I have!!

 

[scottmoyer]

I don't have an issue with that, but near me, I was being quoted prices from $125-$200 to have them do 15 minutes of work.

Not sure why, but ALL of the local shops near me have been bought up by Mavis, whoever they are. Pep Boys Auto Center, Tuffy Tire and Auto, Tire Kingdom, Action Gator Tire Centers, etc. The shops that had the spring compressor said they weren't able to use them anymore due to corporate policy. The mom and pop shops were mostly closed on Saturday at 12pm when I needed them. I do know of one shop that would do it for $50 or less, but they were closed.

 

[CHeYeNNe71]

Damn that sucks! Yeah I went to a small shop. Even for my last swap I think I paid $80 and that was just installing the coils on, no swapping. They usually want an hours labor.

 

[Jedi9]

Going to setting 7 I measured how much I needed to compress more than factory, 1 3/4 or whatever it was, I compressed it that much before I removed it from the stock strut so if the compressor did let loose the spring wasn't going anywhere. You also do not want to use the rod nut to compress the spring. If I ever adjust the height again I'm going to get this compressor.compressor linky

 

[HSKR R/T]

Going to setting 7 I measured how much I needed to compress more than factory, 1 3/4 or whatever it was, I compressed it that much before I removed it from the stock strut so if the compressor did let loose the spring wasn't going anywhere. You also do not want to use the rod nut to compress the spring. If I ever adjust the height again I'm going to get this compressor.compressor linky

That's the one I have. Works really good, for the most part. The brace that connects the two is kind of cumbersome, and I took it off after first attempt.

 

[skyhawk42]

I've always taken the front struts to a shop for $30 and let them swap the coils. I might not be the best looking guy, but I wanna keep what I have!!

$30? Shops by me all quoted $150-200 if everything was off the truck and brought to them . That’s what lead me to just buy the tool and do it myself.

 

[CHeYeNNe71]

$30? Shops by me all quoted $150-200 if everything was off the truck and brought to them . That’s what lead me to just buy the tool and do it myself.

Most recent was $80, but I'll still pay a shop to do it so I don't risk the chance of sh*t going south which I have seen before. Hard Pass!

 

[JOzzz]

Sounds like a flipped spring perch if you are getting that much pressure. Yours should look like this. If you can see the clip, they’re upside down.

 

[scottmoyer]

Sounds like a flipped spring perch if you are getting that much pressure. Yours should look like this. If you can see the clip, they’re upside down.

Did you even read the thread before responding?

 

[JOzzz]

 

[scottmoyer]

Update. I purchased the heavier spring compressors and did the Bilstein install again today. My truck looks like I'm a little high in the front. Not sure if it's because I'm used to the lower look of the front end.

I measured the bottom of the wheel openings and the front is 1/2" higher than the rear at the center. However, I measured the bottom of the body behind the front wheel and also the body at the rear of the cab, and the measurement was 100% equal. We'll see what it looks like after an alignment, but I don't expect any change. So, I may need to get a rear block to get the proper stance because I will not be taking the front end apart again to move the spring seat to setting 4, instead of 5.

Thanks all for your assistance.

BTW, I also adjusted the headlights down by turning each one 4 full turns. Another post mentions 4.5 on the driver side and 4 on the passenger side, but I decided to go with 4 on both and see what they look like tonight.

 

[Dewey]

Update. I purchased the heavier spring compressors and did the Bilstein install again today. My truck looks like I'm a little high in the front. Not sure if it's because I'm used to the lower look of the front end.

I measured the bottom of the wheel openings and the front is 1/2" higher than the rear at the center. However, I measured the bottom of the body behind the front wheel and also the body at the rear of the cab, and the measurement was 100% equal. We'll see what it looks like after an alignment, but I don't expect any change. So, I may need to get a rear block to get the proper stance because I will not be taking the front end apart again to move the spring seat to setting 4, instead of 5.

Thanks all for your assistance.

BTW, I also adjusted the headlights down by turning each one 4 full turns. Another post mentions 4.5 on the driver side and 4 on the passenger side, but I decided to go with 4 on both and see what they look like tonight.

Which spring compressor did you end up buying?

 

[HSKR R/T]

Update. I purchased the heavier spring compressors and did the Bilstein install again today. My truck looks like I'm a little high in the front. Not sure if it's because I'm used to the lower look of the front end.

I measured the bottom of the wheel openings and the front is 1/2" higher than the rear at the center. However, I measured the bottom of the body behind the front wheel and also the body at the rear of the cab, and the measurement was 100% equal. We'll see what it looks like after an alignment, but I don't expect any change. So, I may need to get a rear block to get the proper stance because I will not be taking the front end apart again to move the spring seat to setting 4, instead of 5.

Thanks all for your assistance.

BTW, I also adjusted the headlights down by turning each one 4 full turns. Another post mentions 4.5 on the driver side and 4 on the passenger side, but I decided to go with 4 on both and see what they look like tonight.

I wouldn't just randomly adjust the headlights.

 

[scottmoyer]

Which spring compressor did you end up buying?

There were cheaper sets and more expensive sets, but others on here mentioned these, so I got them since they worked.

Amazon.com

I wouldn't just randomly adjust the headlights.

What makes adjusting down the headlights, when you raise the front end, random?

 

[HSKR R/T]

There were cheaper sets and more expensive sets, but others on here mentioned these, so I got them since they worked.

Amazon.com

What makes adjusting down the headlights, when you raise the front end, random?

You don't actually know how they are adjusted right now. There is a proper procedure for adjusting headlights to make sure they are aimed properly. Involves a wall and some tape.

 

[scottmoyer]

I would agree that there's a proper procedure. There are posts in this forum where a member stated how many turns of the adjustment dial he needed after doing the Bilstein 5100 2" level to get his headlights where they needed to be. Granted, his could've been incorrectly set from the factory, but he gave those initial specs also. With that, after level, 4.5 turns down put his headlights at the same position they were before the lift.

So, I didn't actually measure mine before the change because I forgot. But, I did check that the center dot on my headlight lens is at 43" after the level, and it was close enough to his to use his calculations. I did readjust mine back up 1 full turn after it got dark, but at least I knew I wouldn't rudely be blinding people if I was out driving and it got dark before I could properly adjust.

 

[CHeYeNNe71]

Update. I purchased the heavier spring compressors and did the Bilstein install again today. My truck looks like I'm a little high in the front. Not sure if it's because I'm used to the lower look of the front end.

I measured the bottom of the wheel openings and the front is 1/2" higher than the rear at the center. However, I measured the bottom of the body behind the front wheel and also the body at the rear of the cab, and the measurement was 100% equal. We'll see what it looks like after an alignment, but I don't expect any change. So, I may need to get a rear block to get the proper stance because I will not be taking the front end apart again to move the spring seat to setting 4, instead of 5.

Thanks all for your assistance.

BTW, I also adjusted the headlights down by turning each one 4 full turns. Another post mentions 4.5 on the driver side and 4 on the passenger side, but I decided to go with 4 on both and see what they look like tonight.

The front end usually settles some after a bit of driving.

 

[Pikeman_66]

I would agree that there's a proper procedure. There are posts in this forum where a member stated how many turns of the adjustment dial he needed after doing the Bilstein 5100 2" level to get his headlights where they needed to be. Granted, his could've been incorrectly set from the factory, but he gave those initial specs also. With that, after level, 4.5 turns down put his headlights at the same position they were before the lift.

So, I didn't actually measure mine before the change because I forgot. But, I did check that the center dot on my headlight lens is at 43" after the level, and it was close enough to his to use his calculations. I did readjust mine back up 1 full turn after it got dark, but at least I knew I wouldn't rudely be blinding people if I was out driving and it got dark before I could properly adjust.

I don't adjust them after a level. I like the added light out front and the awesome x ray of the people coming towards me. Insert pot stirring here. LOL