Bilstein installation

[canative]

Anyone here install the front Bilstein 5100's themselves? How difficult? I am somewhat mechanically inclined and do some work myself.

 

[Ramtrx]

Not hard if you have the tools. Hardest part for me was separating the upper control arms from the knuckle. Just wouldn’t come off. Other than that it was 2-3 hours probably.

 

[Kxlexus]

Anyone here install the front Bilstein 5100's themselves? How difficult? I am somewhat mechanically inclined and do some work myself.

I did mine myself. It’s not that difficult. I couldn’t see paying anyone to do it

 

[Chrisdp23]

Agree, it wasn't hard at all, my problem was I did not pay attention to the marks I made so I needed to take the drivers side apart twice to get it lined up properly.

 

[canative]

Don't you need one of those spring compressors?

 

[RebelWraith]

You'll also need pass through sockets. I forget what size. 17mm maybe.

 

[canative]

Are there any videos out there doing a complete process?

 

[Stevenc150]

Are there any videos out there doing a complete process?

Heres one of the more detailed that I found when I was looking into a level kit. It includes disassembling the coil-over unit itself, whereas you'll simply be replacing it with the Bilstein units. Also, many more vids on youtube of peeps using nothing but hand tools so u can DIY no prob

Ram 1500 Superlift kit install

 

[Chrisdp23]

Someone on a previous thread also posted the torque specs you will need when tightening everything up. I followed the video when I did mine and found the torque specs he states are wrong.

 

[Kxlexus]

Don't you need one of those spring compressors?

I bought a spring compressor off of Amazon and a pass-through socket set at Harbor Freight. I don’t normally buy tools at HF but figured this would be a one time use and didn’t want to pay Snap On price. The set was good enough

 

[Stevenc150]

Don't you need one of those spring compressors?

You wouldnt need it as the Bilstein units are the complete coil-over assy. It's just a "simple" swap

 

[Eltaco]

You wouldnt need it as the Bilstein units are the complete coil-over assy. It's just a "simple" swap

Sorry, that’s not correct for the models Bilstein has available right now. With the 5100s, you’ll need to tear apart your current coil overs and reuse the top hat and springs to form a new coil over with the Bilstein shock.

Not too hard at all. Like all things mechanical, the first time will take you longer, the next time will be half the time. I took about 5hrs to do front and back the first time, but redid the fronts to change ride height in 2hrs.

I’d recommend getting the spring compressors from an auto parts store. They’ll loan it to you free of charge as long as you return it. You’ll also want to get a set of pass-thru sockets for the top hat removal. I was part way thru disassembly when I realized I needed mine... which stunk.

If you aren’t changing UCAs, I’d recommend removing the alignment bolts from the LCA and leaving the UCA attached. Mark your alignment ahead of time, and reset it to the marks when you’re completed. Those alignment bolts will come free much easier than the UCA ball joint.

 

[Stevenc150]

Sorry, that’s not correct for the models Bilstein has available right now. With the 5100s, you’ll need to tear apart your current coil overs and reuse the top hat and springs to form a new coil over with the Bilstein shock.

Not too hard at all. Like all things mechanical, the first time will take you longer, the next time will be half the time. I took about 5hrs to do front and back the first time, but redid the fronts to change ride height in 2hrs.

I’d recommend getting the spring compressors from an auto parts store. They’ll loan it to you free of charge as long as you return it. You’ll also want to get a set of pass-thru sockets for the top hat removal. I was part way thru disassembly when I realized I needed mine... which stunk.

If you aren’t changing UCAs, I’d recommend removing the alignment bolts from the LCA and leaving the UCA attached. Mark your alignment ahead of time, and reset it to the marks when you’re completed. Those alignment bolts will come free much easier than the UCA ball joint.

Bah you're correct, guess i was thinking of the RC units...

 

[Ramtrx]

Sorry, that’s not correct for the models Bilstein has available right now. With the 5100s, you’ll need to tear apart your current coil overs and reuse the top hat and springs to form a new coil over with the Bilstein shock.

Not too hard at all. Like all things mechanical, the first time will take you longer, the next time will be half the time. I took about 5hrs to do front and back the first time, but redid the fronts to change ride height in 2hrs.

I’d recommend getting the spring compressors from an auto parts store. They’ll loan it to you free of charge as long as you return it. You’ll also want to get a set of pass-thru sockets for the top hat removal. I was part way thru disassembly when I realized I needed mine... which stunk.

If you aren’t changing UCAs, I’d recommend removing the alignment bolts from the LCA and leaving the UCA attached. Mark your alignment ahead of time, and reset it to the marks when you’re completed. Those alignment bolts will come free much easier than the UCA ball joint.

This^. I couldn’t get the upper control arm lose. I spent most of my time working that and less time actually installing the shocks.