Sorta urgent...How do you compress the shock to connect control arm?

Sorry if this is a stupid question.

I'm in the middle of installing the front Bilstein 5100s (set on 2.5" lift) with the stock springs on a 2011 prerunner.

I got to the point where the new shock/spring are back in. The sway bar is re-connected.

The problem is connecting the control arm back to the hub. If we put a jack under the control arm and jack it up, it lifts the whole truck up. We cannot get the shock to compress at all.

What am I missing?

Thank.s

 

are you 100% sure you put the spring perch on the right way (not upside down)?

if so, it shouldn't be that hard. I slid a breaker bar underneath one of the coils on the spring, and then pried down on the upper control arm while holding the spindle in the correct position to line up the ball joint.

 

That worked beautifully. I was going at in from the wrong direction.

Thanks.

 

no problem, glad you got it buttoned back up. now post some pics of your new ride!

 

I need to finish on the rear tomorrow or wednesday. Then, I'll definitely post pics.

Funny. I'm a total newb on most things car related. After completing the replacement of the front shocks, I realized that if I had even a remote clue of what I was doing, it would have taken half the time.

OTOH, I love tackling a project I know so little about. You can only learn so much by reading the how-tos. Eventually, you have to dig in and give it a try to really understand.

 

Here's a pic after I finally finished everything.

Bilstein 5100s all around + Toytec 2" AAL

I haven't even made my first payment on the truck and I've already bought new wheels, tires, shocks, aal, and did the tinted tail light mod. On top of that, I have a grill on order and materials for the BHLM. This forum is evil.