5100 Rear Install Help

Hey guys!!

I am going to finally install the rear bilstein 5100 shocks today!! I just have a couple questions before I do this.

1. Do I need to use all the washers etc that came with the shock? Also what order do they go on? (Picture #1 below)

2. I was told from Chris4x4 to use channel locks or a wrench to hold the shock from spinning when tightening but I don't see how to hold the shaft? There isn't a flat area to use a wrench.

3. If you can show me with the pictures below what bolt, washer, rubber gromet goes where that would be great!

Picture #1


Picture #2



Thanks guys!!

 

It should go like this



Nut
Washer
bushing
--shock mount on the truck here--
bushing
washer

And there should be a flat surface for you to grab on the top of the shock, end of the threaded stud

 

I used vice grips to clamp the top of mine

 

ok I see. But what is the third washer for? Also the washers have slight different thicknesses. Does it matter which ones I use for the top and bottom?

Thanks!!
~Slim

 

I THINK maybe that black washer goes in between the bushing and the shock mount on the truck, bottom side. There might be a collar in the washer that fits snug into the shock mount hole?

 

Hmm I don't know I am going to pull the truck in the geerage right now and have at it.

For the 3 washers the one pictured in the middle has a bigger hole and is thinner than the other 2. The black one is the same thickness as the silver one on the other side and those two both have the same hole size. I wonder if they matter which is on the bottom middle top

 

the one pictured in the middle probably goes on the very bottom. When you take your OEM shocks off pay attention to the order, that should answer all of your questions

 

got one in but the other stock one won't unbolt. The knob I was gripping on with my vise grips snapped off! What do I do???

 

Got them installed... finally removed the other shock had to use my big channel locks and grip the hell outa the shaft. I wanted to know if anybody noticed the boots all scrunched up. I was thinking of cutting the zip tie and letting them hang straight then rezip them. Anybody need to do this? Also, I took the truck for a spin and the ride is much nicer! A tad stiffer feels more like a real truck. I will post up some pics once I get my phone charged it died as I was snapping photos lol.

 

Ok here are a couple photos...

Does this look tight enough?

 

Looks pretty tight to me..and it looks like that new billy doesn't have a flat surface to grip. Is there an allen slot in the end or something? how did u keep the shaft from turning when tightening the nut?

 

Yup allen wrench on the top. I placed it in there and tightend it so that the allen wrench was wedged against the plastic molding of the bed. The shaft might have spun a half turn but nothing more is that bad?

 

no its fine if it moves a little, the point is just to hold it so u can tighten the nut

 

good job.. i'm ordering my rear shocks tomorrow but i havent decided on the 5100's or OME shocks..

 

Ok cool! I can't wait for this weekend when I don't have a load in the back and take it for a spin. So far with the load in the back it rides very nice. A must upgrade from those POS black stock shocks. I could compress them with my hands and let go and it would take 60 seconds for them to release.

I wanted to ask though does anybody reposition there boots? So that when the truck is sitting normal the boots aren't all scrunched up? Or should I leave them alone lol.

 

If you re-position them to be straight when the truck is sitting normal, the boot might pop off when you flex down...

 

Got ya! Ok then I will keep it where its at. No sense making it look to pretty for the eyes its not every day I am down there lol.

Also, I would say go with the 5100's I heard from chris4x4 that the ride is better in his opinion for the rears with 5100's vs. the OME's. It helped me with my decision.