BILLY 5100 can't get front struts out

ok so I loosened all bolts that the install thread said too. 3 at top 1 at bottom, plus the bolt/pin on the UCA and the other bolt on the sway bar end link (fully disconnecting it). After all of that we still cannot get the strut out, we've tried prying the LCA down but it will only go so far and the strut just keeps hitting what im guessing is the sway bar (curved tube that the sway bar end link was bolted to). Ive attached pics just so you all can see for yourselves. Any advice is appreciated. thanks. sorry for the pics being sideways not sure how to fix.

 

Remove the sway bar....

 

unbolt the lower ball joint via the 2 bolt going up into the knuckle and then loosen up the cam adjuster bolts on the frame side and swing the arm out of the way. should drop straight down and out

 

Just disconnecting the sway bar will do it. The knuckle need to be knocker free of the upper control arm though. You will move it all as a whole with it connected still.
1. Remove nut on UCA to knuckle
2. Remove sway bar link completely
3. Loosen control arm bolts
4. Remove upper nuts on strut mount
5. Remove lower bolt from strut.

Reverse to put back together.

Tip: Find something to hold the knuckle assembly so the brake lines don't pop.

 

I did mine with out loosening up the cam adjuster bolts....if you do then you will most likely have to get an aliment done. if you lifting it then it doesnt matter because you will need an aliment anyways..

good luck

 

Don't need to remove lower ball joint nut

 

No need to loosen the cam bolts. Like he said also, remove the 2 bolts from the LCA to the knuckle.

 

So there was no need to unbolt the spindle from the UCA then? when you say two bolts on the knuckle I'm confused. all i see is the 1 bolt with the safety pin in it. Will this let the LCA fall freely?

 

You don't need to do the LCA. Just the upper will allow enough room for you to get the strut out. The knuckle and spindle are the same thing different name.

 

Yes, undo the UCA from the spindle and remove the spindle from it. If you remove the 2 bottom bolts you can pry the LCA down a lot easier and it will pop out. Won't have the steering controls stopping.

 

never mind i see the two now. so when loosening the adjusters what area do I mark so that they line up again? sorry for the obvious/stupid questions. im new to working on vehicles.

the spindle will not come free from the uca. not sure if i should pry it out or what

 

Let me find pictures. You don't need to mess with the adjustments for the alignment. Let me find what you need to mess with....

 

Take a hammer and knock on the spindle right by the uca. dont move the adjusters. not necessary.

 

the way i always have done shocks on these trucks is like said above, loosen the top 3 bolts (not all the way so the shock doesn't drop out once everything else is removed), remove the bolt connecting the shock to the LCA, then remove the two bolts connecting the LCA to the spindle, after loosen the two LCA bolts where it connects to the frame/where the Cam adjusters are. then the LCA should drop out and once you remove the 3 top bolts all the way you can slide it strait out. I didn't know how to get it out the first time i swapped shocks on mine 2 years ago and it was the most frustrating thing ever i wish i was a member back then haha.

as far as an alignment goes its probably best to get one if your lifting your truck anyway, to my knowledge its going to throw it off regardless because your lifting it whether you loosen the cams or not but i may be wrong.

this video might help just ignore the spring compressing part of it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vkVLBOnAifc

 

Remove these bolts that belong here.

 

"Invalid Attachment specified"

 

Lets try this...

 

awesome thanks! worked like a charm. now to get the 5100s in...

 

got em on looks great! thanks for all of the help fellas. i can post pics tomorrow if anyone is interested.

 

Def post some man