Suspension/Ride Height/Bilstein 5100 Question

[Snowcamo]

Yes, after a few months I was getting slight clunking on bumps. Tried tightening supplies nuts and they were tight (bottomed out in strut thread). Installed factory nuts and its been quiet since. 

right on I remember seeing a thread or video on YouTube while Googling on the internet about the clunking sound knocking sound up front on our Silverados. The guy actually use a couple of washers that fit inside. He showed exactly where the strut rod was hitting on the mount plate. Adding some washers to the cup did the trick for him. I'm likely going to do the same as I noticed exactly what you're speaking of if you think about it there's not very much tension on the top cap as you tightened it down while the vehicle was not up on jack stands. This allows it to move around and create that knocking sound. Since I just put mine in last night I don't mind having to take the top nut back off and put washers on it.I think that should be something everybody does when they install these.sadly the thread on the strut rod isn't that just not long enough could be maybe a another 2 eighths of an inch to be effective and solid.

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[2018GMC]

1 hour ago, Snowcamo said:

right on I remember seeing a thread or video on YouTube while Googling on the internet about the clunking sound knocking sound up front on our Silverados. The guy actually use a couple of washers that fit inside. He showed exactly where the strut rod was hitting on the mount plate. Adding some washers to the cup did the trick for him. I'm likely going to do the same as I noticed exactly what you're speaking of if you think about it there's not very much tension on the top cap as you tightened it down while the vehicle was not up on jack stands. This allows it to move around and create that knocking sound. Since I just put mine in last night I don't mind having to take the top nut back off and put washers on it.I think that should be something everybody does when they install these.sadly the thread on the strut rod isn't that just not long enough could be maybe a another 2 eighths of an inch to be effective and solid.

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If you look at the stock nuts the threads are 1/2 inch or so at the top of the nut so there’s less risk of bottoming out or acts like washers vs the bilstein nuts. 

 

 

[Snowcamo]

If you look at the stock nuts the threads are 1/2 inch or so at the top of the nut so there’s less risk of bottoming out or acts like washers vs the bilstein nuts. 
 
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Good deal! That'll keep things simple enough.

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[2018GMC]

I just uploaded some photos to the previous post ?

[2018GMC]

7 minutes ago, Snowcamo said:

Good deal! That'll keep things simple enough.

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I just uploaded some photos to the previous post ?

[Snowcamo]

I just uploaded some photos to the previous post [emoji106]

That solves it! Rock on!

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[Bwoodkid]

18 hours ago, lawnboy-5247 said:

I have a rear shock going bad and It is giving me an reason to buy Bilstein 5100's. I am trying to decide what height setting to put them on and was measuring my stock ride height on my truck. I get some variation depending on where I park but It seems to be around 35" in the front and 39" in the back. I still want some rake but want my front end to be a little higher than it currently is.  Based off of that I was considering putting them on the highest or 2nd to highest setting as it is my understanding that you can get about 2" of lift with the Bilstein's does that sound about right?

After installing the B1500 on the front at top setting,  not sure what the rake will be on a 2x.  my b's are at top setting and gave me 1.75" lift with 1.5 rake.  Great shocks!!  put at top setting and throw 2" blocks on the rear to gain an extra 1" of rake.

[dab86]

6 hours ago, Wilie Kent said:

I thought I had read something on here about people running 2”-2.5” leveling kits with 1.5” body lifts. What exactly would make this set up not be ideal? I’m  new to suspension mods/ lifts and want to make sure I don’t do something I shouldn’t 

I could be wrong but I think body lifts only lift the frame and have no effects on the suspension. But lifting the actual suspension over 3 inches has the potential for really bad CV angles and ride quality. A 2 inch level with a 1 inch body lift would be a better setup if your looking for a total of 3 inches.

[Bwoodkid]

7 hours ago, Wilie Kent said:

I thought I had read something on here about people running 2”-2.5” leveling kits with 1.5” body lifts. What exactly would make this set up not be ideal? I’m  new to suspension mods/ lifts and want to make sure I don’t do something I shouldn’t 

Go with a 3.5 - 4" rough country lift.  It comes with upper control arms so the angle will be about factor on your CV's,  its less expensive   and fairly inexpensive install at a shop.  you can run full 33's - 34's.  easier install than a body lift.  Unless you are entering your truck into the baja 500, RC will be fine.

[Bwoodkid]

1 hour ago, dab86 said:

I could be wrong but I think body lifts only lift the frame and have no effects on the suspension. But lifting the actual suspension over 3 inches has the potential for really bad CV angles and ride quality. A 2 inch level with a 1 inch body lift would be a better setup if your looking for a total of 3 inches.

yeah, body lifts are just spacers between the cab/bed and the frame.  does nothing to the suspension.  I would rather just get a 3" lift and upgrade upper CA's

[CoachGardnerFHS]

I'm contemplating the same thing. I have the shocks in my backseat and getting them installed tomorrow. I swear it rides better just with them in the cab 

Anyways, I know I will need an alignment after lifting the front, but I haven't seen anyone mention anything about a headlight adjustment. Will this be necessary as well?

[crushNchowda]

Oh crap - DO NOT FORGET TO DISCONNECT THE BATTERY during install of the bilsteins or any mod effecting ride height - apparently this needs to be done so the electronic steering sensors can do a "re-learn" @ the new height vs. maintaining the parameters already in place @ stock height. I've read where not doing this has caused complete failure of the power steering system.

 

Luckily shop that did my install was aware of this at the time.