Are my new 5100's installed correctly?

Can anyone tell me if my front 5100’s are installed correctly? I had a local shop do the install but I didn’t get a good feeling from them on this job. I asked them to put it on the .85 lift so the truck would be close to level (I do not have the tsb 4 leaf in the rear, stillthe 3 leaf) and it looks like it is in fact on correct .85 notch now as I asked.

The problem is the truck rides like crap after the install- its bouncy, loose, rough, loud and on big bumps I can feel what seems like the shocks “pop” like its topping out and it feels like something is smacking the fender. Its almost undriveable. I took it to another “big”tire chain to have the alignment performed and tires rotated a day after andthey told me the fronts were not installed correctly and that I shouldn’t have any of the top shaft showing as it is. The guy says it looks like I’m not riding on my shocks at all but just the spring and the tires which might be why it seems so off. Something about with that much bolt showingthe shocks won’t even kick in until 2 ½ of movement is taken up?????



Am I missing a spacer or do I need a spacer, when I looked at doing the 5100’s and just going upone notch to .85 no one really even mentioned I needed to do anything specialto make it work right and that the parts in the kit provided by billstein wouldbe enough? If I have them take it backto stock height would I be in the clear here or is the whole thing messedup????



Sorry for all the questions, I searched a bunch but didn’t findwhat I need to know. Hope someone herecan help.

 

Well that top nut isn't right at all. You're missing a bushing it seems up top Still looking at the others.

 

Is the perch upside down ?

 

I agree with Adam , they forgot or didnt install the shock bushing , take it back , that will destroy your shock if you dont have it fixed

 

Yeah, you are missing bushings inside your shock. I have the same thing going on right now, but mine are just worn out. You need them to take it back apart and find the bushings they lost.

 

Are these bushings that came new in the shock kit or ones that get re-used from the old? can you tell me if it will ride great as expected once they do it right or do I still have to worry with that .85 notch requiring other parts to make it work right?

anyone have a pic of what it should look like, the shop is a pain in the ass and refuses to admit its not correct. (friend of a friend of a friend kind of scenario I should of known better of course)

 

Did they do the same on the other side ? I installed mine and it will ride so much smoother then your factory ones .I think I used my old bushings and I have it set at 1.25 but im 1st gen

 

Check it http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/su...o-these-front-shock-bushings-rubber-look.html LOL.... Common sense Not So Common

 

There is a picture in post #8 that shows all the small parts needed for a front shock setup. Common sense goes a long way. Your shop did not have any to let that leave their service bay or perform a road test.

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/suspension/248461-front-strut-bushing-order-need-help-please.html

 

yikes no bushing. that's messed up. i'd make them pay for all new shocks.

 

Looks like you don't have the 2 washers or the 2 bushings installed

Make sure the lower spring perch is positioned so that the spring fits into the groove properly also

That's why I bought this ... So I can change the front struts myself

 

Dude, that shop totally screwed up your install. I'm quite sure by the looks of the picture, you are missing at least one rubber bushing and the washer that is suppose to go under that nut.

 

Friend of a friend of a friend (not thinking there is much friendship going on here) or not, that is a major screw up. If nothing else, they had the oem shock to reference when they took it apart. To have left that nut 'floating' above the top plate shows these 'mechanics' don't have any idea what they are doing. Your shock is bouncing up and down in the spring every time you hit a bump or anything in the road. Shock will be destroyed. No wonder your ride sucks.

 

Wow, I'm surprised they gave it back to you looking like that. I thought bushings were common sense. That would explain the noise. Have they ever done a shock install before??

 

This is why I had wheelers off road put my shocks and struts together, that 100 extra bucks was well worth it just to know that it was done right with new bushings, top plate, etc.

With basic hand tools, I did the install in my driveway in about 20 min per side.

 

I bet they threw all that other stuff away after they finished the job. guess we will be contacting billstein for parts now

he did do a test drive and says it rode great but it was late when I picked it all up and was in a hurry to get to the airport. anyways.....

the real question is - I've been driving easily on them so far, once the bushing and washers are installed correctly will they magically work and ride perfectly even set on that .85 setting or will I need additional parts to make it work with .85 lift.

do you think they are already destroyed? should I be safe and have them out it back to stock height or does the slight lift really have noting to do with this mess?

 

Imho I wouldn't drive it without those parts. I'm not sure what kind of damage you are causing. At this moment. I would have been on the phone the next with bilstien and the shop about this one.

 

Uh, go back to shop, point out they installed them wrong, whether they have your old parts or not, they are responsible for making it right...epic fail by shop....

 

yeah that shop should be ashamed to let that out the door.I would be pissed.Hopefully they reimburse you or free alignments or something.Such a simple job.

 

ouch, that sucks. they forgot a bunch of parts. i just took a pic of my truck, 5100's set at 1.75 and you can see you are missing a bushing and a washer minimum. not sure what else they left out under there... good luck.