Shock Installation Question

[KyRob]

Just finished installing the front Bilsteins on my truck. Noticed the factory shocks had a metal sleeve on top side that was through the rubber pieces and over the threaded shaft. Looked to be a spacer between the shock shaft and frame mounting bracket. Was this piece supposed to be put back on/in with the new shocks? I assumed it wasn't or there would have been one in the new box but wanted to ask here and be sure.

 

Thanks for any info,

Rob

[KyRob]

Tryin again.

 

Rob

[z85violator]

yeah i would put it back in, or the upper threaded shaft will move around in the hole and possibly rub, make noise or wear the bushings out faster.

[pennzoil29]

yeah i would put it back in, or the upper threaded shaft will move around in the hole and possibly rub, make noise or wear the bushings out faster.

 

+1

[dlstewart01]

Unless the stock bushing is in real good shape I would use the rubber bushings and washers that came with the bilsteins.

 

Now Bilstein has been making shocks for a looooong time. They know how to design bushings that work. If they are installed properly, the shaft will not move around in the hole. Will the Bilstein bushings do their job and hold the shaft in place, yes The Bilstein bushings are urethane and much tougher than the stock softer rubber bushings. I can see where the stock bushings would need help.. Can a more complicated bushing hold the shaft better, no. Some times the KISS method is better(keep it simple stupid) I have ran Bilsteins on the last 4 trucks I have owned with out any problems.

 

The stock bushings will actually work on the Bilsteins though if it makes you feel more secure.

 

Don

[hoorders]

Just finished installing the front Bilsteins on my truck. Noticed the factory shocks had a metal sleeve on top side that was through the rubber pieces and over the threaded shaft. Looked to be a spacer between the shock shaft and frame mounting bracket. Was this piece supposed to be put back on/in with the new shocks? I assumed it wasn't or there would have been one in the new box but wanted to ask here and be sure.

 

Thanks for any info,

Rob

I just put new SkyJacker shocks on mine and same thing.....they did not come with the sleeve......the new bushing however were shaped(had a slight tapper on one side) so they fit perfectly in the stock mounting location and threaded tops of the shocks cant move from side to side.

[jake1530]

I saw those sleeves , and looked at them with a face also. I decided not to use them. I just figured, like somebody already wrote, that Bilstien has been making them for a while and that these where the shocks for my truck. If warranted, Bilstien would have put them in the box. One thing I did do though is put never- seize on all the threads, thinking if I ever had to take them off it would help. Take care and good luck with your new shocks.

[yukondan]

I recently replaced the front OEM shocks with Bilsteins. The Bilsteins insulator kit is basic and not up to the OEM's quality.

 

I am going to replace with a new Insulator set from GM or I'll use a aftermarket kit from DORMAN like this one Doorman