Need Help - Strut Installation (Billstein 5100 Front)

Horhay7 · May 22, 2016

Hi guys, I was hoping someone might be able to help me out with this. I have a 2014 GMC Sierra 1500 All Terrain 4x4. I had purchased a set of Bilstein 5100 struts for the front and went to install them today. The instructions were to re-use the OEM upper assembly from the rancho's I took off; however, when I went to put the bump stop on the shock, it seemed to be too short (didn't make contact with the bump stop cap). It was about an inch too short. Once this happened, I held the shocks side by side and it looked like the ranchos were a little shorter than the Bilsteins. The bilstein's that I ordered were 24-238304.

Did I do something wrong here? Was there a different upper assembly I was supposed to use than the OEM?

Horhay7 · May 23, 2016

Hey just wondering if anybody might have any advice on this? I'm kind of stuck with these so I was hoping someone who installed the 5100's might have some advice. Any help is appreciated!

bdbake01 · May 23, 2016

Pics may be helpful as I'm having a hard time picturing this for whatever reason. The Bilsteins are gas charged and will need to be compressed a little to install. Not sure if this is what you're seeing?

Horhay7 · May 24, 2016

I'm guessing that is problem my problem. This is my first time installing coil over struts and didn't realize you have to compress them during the install. I wasn't compressing them so the bump stop wasn't reaching the bump stop cap so I was definitely installing them wrong. I have the old assembly back on the truck so I wasn't able to take a picture of it.