So today my local shop was supposed to be installing my new Bilstein 5100 kit and BFG KO tires.

I got a call that I needed to come pick up my truck but they were not able to complete the job. Apparently here's the problem:

With the 2" lift setting on the shock, they were able to compress the front coils to get the shock on, but when they released it, the coils were not long enough to fall in place over the shock.

Now, I am a noob at all this, but I need to understand what the problem is here. What do I need to tell them to do? Are they in fact doing something wrong?

I'm honestly getting quite sick over this and I would really appreciate any help.

Thanks,
Chris

 

im not sure...mine worked fine but heres a bump

 

I just had a set put on my 05 FX4 on Tuesday and set at the 2 inch setting. My mechanic said he had no problems, but I don't know about your problem.

 

find a new shop, somebody is a retard. that's is impossible. if the spring fits the stock shock, then there's no reason it won't fit yours, unless for some reason you got the wrong shocks. the only thing i can think of, it sounds like the shock is too long and the spring has no tension on it. i suppose can't make sure you got the right shocks?

 

x2 on what atom said

 

Anybody else have any ideas before I go back there?

Also, anybody in NY/NJ recommend a shop I can take this to that is familiar with these products?

 

Take it to a different shop man they don't know what they're doing.

 

what they told you just doesnt make any sense.... if they had to compress the coil to get it put together, then how could it possibly be too short? these things are very easy to install (im talking about brains required). did they possibly leave a piece out (like maybe the lower coil seat that rests on the lift selector ring)?

 

you either have the wrong shock (BE5-C298-H0 or H1), or the mechanic was drunk and forgot to take the spring compressor off. If I remember correctly, the 5100's pre-load the spring when fully installed on a higher perch than stock, so there would actually be less distance the spring has to cover to sit in it's perch correctly.

 

My 5100's worked great with the 2" lift for my truck. Mine is a 2wd though. You do realize that a "different" Bilstein 5100 is required for a 4wd, than for a 2wd, correct ? ......and if you ordered them online, are you sure you checked the little box for 4wd ?

Go get them back from that shop... Go straight home and call Bilstein with the part number from the box, and confirm you have the right ones. If they are correct, the guys at that shop are clueless. My mechanic said they were really straight forward, even with the 2" front lift.

Peace,
Fish

 

I already checked the product numbers and they are all correct. BE5-C293-T0 for the front and BE5-C294-T0 for the back. Here's some pictures for reference:

Here is how it is supposed to look with the 2" lift. I stole this pic from another member here:




Now here's a picture of how my truck looks right now:




I'm going to be driving over to the shop now to get the boxes and the instructions back so I can bring it to a different shop.

We'll see what happens.....

 

Ok, so now I went back and the guy now claims that when they put the lower coil seat on the 2" lift selector ring that the spring won't un-compress. What the heck is he talking about?

Sounds like a load of BS to me. Any ideas?

 

the spring will stay compressed some..... the 2" setting requires more spring tension that the 1" setting. when you install the spring, it need to be compressed quite a bit... if your using the regular side compressors, it can get quite scarry !!!

 

double post

 

i bet the shop doesn't have a big enough spring compressor, is it a rinky dinky shop? i be he is telling you that because his compressor don't have enough power to compress the spring any further and don't wanna sound like an *** . find a new shop, they guys sounds like counterfeits!