Results of not reading Bilstein 5100 instructions

Hey everyone,

So I figured I would share my latest screw up here. I know just enough about working on vehicles to be dangerous, apparently. I did not read the instructions on how to orient the spring perch on Bilstein 5100 shocks, which caused my front to be lifted probably 4" higher than it was meant to. I really liked the height, but it wasn't safe to drive on. It also took a buddy and myself probably 15 hours to install, remove, fix, and reinstall.

It took so much work to compress the springs enough, I am amazed we did not damage or break anything, or hurt ourselves in the process. We did not use spring compressors, we used the vehicle to compress the springs shown here. It took multiple jacks, ratchet straps, and a big pry bar to get them in. We even tried spring compressors, but they started bending and stripping threads before we were able to get them small enough to mount the top hats. The entire weight of the truck was not enough by itself. It is honestly insane we did not get hurt.

I noticed the problem when going over a speed bump. I would hear 3 bumps, not 2. 2 for the front, and 1 in the rear. The front sound was the UCA clinking on top of the spring, then clunking back down. There is some wear on them but beyond paint damage, it doesn't look bad. We also replaced the top hat hardware on our second install

I'm not stupid, and I know a bit about working on vehicles, but I got cocky and thought I knew things I didn't. I put myself, and my buddy, at a big risk. Read the instuctions guys

 

Here is the truck as she sits now. Not quite as high, but at least it's safe. Also, kind of amazing how much Indigo Ink can change depending on the lighting...

Story time:

Monday night, everything is "done" and I make it around 10 miles from my buddy's to my girlfriends. It's past 10pm, I am exhausted, both mentally and physically. All of Saturday was spent doing this. All of Sunday was spent doing this. I worked all day Monday at my day job, and worked into the dark Monday evening to fix the truck. I pull up to her place, see no parking spots, and throw it in reverse. Truck doesn't move. I throw it in first, truck doesn't move. I get out to see what's going on, and the passenger side lower ball joint is missing a bolt. The wheel is freely going back and forth but has jammed into the wheel well. I have little to no tools. I'm in the middle of a 1 way hill.

There was nothing I could do. We sat on the tailgate for half an hour, telling people they need to turn around or hop the curb past me while we wait for a tow. Girlfriend says there's no beer left, so I settle for a White Claw as I sit on my stationary truck. Tow truck driver arrives, super cool guy. He has this sled that he uses to drag vehicles so we remove the wheel, he climbs under the truck, and asks me to position the sled while he slowly lowers it down. He lowers it too fast, truck falls onto the sled (Fortunately no damage) but his head was still under there, and my hands were on the sled. Thank Goodness we were not hurt or worse. I think the truck would still be high enough to avoid killing him, but still.

Truck is towed to a local shop. I do not have the energy to fix this, and I need an alignment anyways. Tuesday I call the shop to explain what is going on, I also send an email with the part number, and bolt size needed. Am told they're busy and probably will get to it Thursday or Friday. Friday afternoon comes around, they never ordered the bolt.

Saturday morning they finally get the bolt, and fix it. I ask if they aligned it. Shop tells me "It didn't need an alignment for just that bolt". I'm sick and tired of these clowns so I go pick my truck up, and bring it straight to a Monroe for an alignment.

Saturday evening, I finally have the truck back. I'm still scared to drive it because I'm scared something else is going to go wrong, but at least I don't have to wake my girlfriend up at 7am to take me to work, or make my friend drive me around

Sadly this has also killed my passion. I used to read and watch stuff about Tacos, off roading, finding new trails etc. Now I'm just kind of angry. I know it isn't my truck's fault, but my mentality has been soured. It cheered me up when, last night, I was reading something and my girlfriend asked what I was doing. I said I was reading about winches, and she said something like "I'm glad you're getting back into it!"

So that has been my week.

Fin.

 

Cheer up man!!! Things happen it’s no big deal. Consider it a lesson learned in the world of modding our trucks. Get out and enjoy the truck. Looks good!!!

 

Thank you! I'm still very new to trucks and off roading, but I've sent out a few emails to local clubs. Not much around me sadly, NY does not seem to like off roaders, nor does CT. It was definitely a fun, albeit tiring, experience. Never worked on anything with leaf springs but the AAL was a fun install. I have some sliders I am hoping to pick up soon as well, but I'll be on the trails ASAP!

 

Its a sour experience that's still very fresh, you'll be back in the thick of it and laughing about this soon enough

 

No big deal. You’ll be laughing about it in a few months.

 

Atleast you didn’t die

 

Thanks everyone! I am mildly worried because the circlip was slightly bent, but I flipped it over (So now it's bent up into the perch instead of down) and the perch seems to encompass it, so I don't think it's going anywhere. But still worried I damaged something. And I keep hearing new noises and it feels more squirrely on the road, but I'm sure that has to do with the ATs and lift, vs stock suspension and highway tires. Still a bit too scared to take it off road yet though

 

Probably, suspension still needs to settle and even going to the wildpeaks on my stock or suspension changed the feel (granted I also went up to 32s)

 

Calm seas dont make skilled sailors. I'm near Syracuse and I would be down to wheel sometime.

 

Ultimately no one was hurt and no permanent damage has been done. Consider that a win and move on. The lessons learned the hard way are the ones we gain the most experience from.

 

Hmm, did I make a mistake getting it aligned before the suspension settled?

Very true! Sadly I really have not found anywhere in NY to go yet...

It is nice because I feel much more comfortable with my suspension now

 

Don't beat yourself up. We all make mistakes. Maybe by you sharing your experience it might help out someone else.

 

It gets better . Shit like this happens to everyone at some point. You will survive it, I'm sure.