Bilstein 5100 install help

I am trying to install my new Bilstein 5100 shocks, but I can’t get the bolts at the top of the strut to come lose, any ideas?

 

Soak em in PB blaster

 

What's been said already. Soak them in PB Blaster. Maybe re-apply for a couple of days.

Then give it a go

 

Arm strength if you used PB Blaster, mine were seized up as well when I replaced them last month. Make sure not to strip them!

 

I bought a new hat and grinded my bolts off. But my truck looks way more rusted than yours so I think a penetrating oil for a couple days and then try again will be your best bet. I have had great success with Deep Creep. PB Blaster is okay too, though. Good luck.

 

After using the PB blaster (or other thread loosener) use a 6-point socket or wrench when you try to remove those nuts. If they're already rounded off, you may need to resort to a small pipe wrench and something to extend it with.

 

If they are still pretty well stuck after PB blaster/liquid wrench, you might consider just hacking them off and getting new ones... Might as well throw this in there, too:

 

breaker bar

 

When dealing with stubborn bolts, I've had the best success using a black impact type socket. That's even when I'm not using an impact tool. The black finish from the impact type socket does a better job of gripping a nut or bolt that's on the edge of stripping. I don't like to use chrome plated sockets on anything nuts or bolts that at risk of stripping.

 

Heat... Heat... heat... I couldn't get my front diff drain bolt out a few months and ended up stripping it.... 3 seconds of heat from welding a 10mm socket it... came out like butter

 

They're also usually 6 pointed, rather than 12 pointed.

 

Just making sure...but you know that bolt in the center isn't supposed to come off right? Just the 3 small (14mm?) nuts around the outside

Reason I ask is because we had a kid on here once maybe a year or so ago, that posted a thread saying he couldn't get that center bolt to break loose...everyone was like NOO DON'T DO THAT haha.

so..just checking

 

Pshh... He woulda been fine until he removed the lower strut bolt...

 

Ditto

 

Yeah, it looks like the 3 mounting bolts are wet, so those are hopefully the only ones he's trying to break loose. IIRC, that's how you remove the shocks on the 5-lugs though, so I can understand the confusion.

You'll eventually need to loosen that bolt/shaft if you need to disassemble the coilover to replace the shocks.

 

Yeah, and that would present a *really* big problem, don't you think?

 

I'm was just poking fun... it would definitely be a big problem... a 600lbs preloaded coil letting loose will make for a pretty shitty day

 

I remember feeling like I was staring down the barrel of a loaded cannon when I was compressing my springs, lol.

 

That's the main reason I decided to buy mine pre-assembled, it was worth the $100 at the time for me not to mess with the cheap clamp style spring compressors.