Shock Install Help

[Ajsjdjdjfjdtgg]

I got the bilstein 5100 adjustable shocks as an early christmas gift for myself . I haven't read a single compalint about them on here. However, I want to install them myself and I am wondering if I need a spring compresssor for the install?

 

I planned on loosening sway bar, loosening the ball joint, undoing the bottom shock bolts, and then dropping the lower control arm as far as I could. Like the rough country install. Would I be able to then just undo the top shock nut and replace it? Or am I going to hurt myself because I need to compress the spring?

 

Any help would be appreciated as tomorrow is my day off and I hope to get it done before we get snow!

 

Thanks,

Mike

 

PS Sorry Ryan I'm not sure if it is a fullsize or a maintenence or a suspesion forum topic!

[ruggedlife]

you're goin to hurt yourself. bad.

 

 

take both struts all the way out of the truck and go to your local shop and ask them to swap them over, just tell them which notch you want the lower strut mount to sit on. shouldnt cost you hardly anything, go back home and re install, then get a front end alignment

[Ajsjdjdjfjdtgg]

Ah, thank you. I knew it seemed to easy. I'm assuming all that involves is involvesunding the those 3 top mounted bolts and leaving the middle one on then?

 

Oh and theres a Belle Tire at the corner of my street, they should be able to do it cheap right? Cost no more than $20-$40?

 

Thanks again guy, an ER visit is the last thing I need right now.

[cracked_up]

Correct Don't touch the middle nut on top, that will get you that ER visit

[Ajsjdjdjfjdtgg]

Just an update. Rented a strut compressor and got them installed. Took about 5 hours (no air tools and everything was rusted). Looks great, rides stiffer but better. I don't reccomend anyone doing it without air tools tho, its not fun manually compressor springs and smacking ball joints for a while. Oh and no ER visits! Pics soon

[Ajsjdjdjfjdtgg]

Ok so as my previous post states i got them in ok. However now my front suspension squeaks everytime i hit a minor bump. Is it the spring, spring seat, where the shock sits, ball joint, sway bar? Im very lost. If anyone knows of a common cause for it thatd be great

 

thanks

- mike

[ruggedlife]

lay under your truck while someone pushes down on the bumper and see what you can find, common cause=left something loose or installed incorrectly

[Ajsjdjdjfjdtgg]

Forgot to get back to you, but sure enough the top strut bolt needed some cranking down and problem solved! Loving the new shocks and level

 

Thanks everyone