OME 888 Bilstein 5100 install question

Hi family,
I’m installing my front Bilstein 5100 with OME 888 this weekend and have hit a snag. I’ve got the shock mounted but there isn’t any travel in the suspension. Hard as a rock.
Any ideas what’s causing this?
Much appreciated.

 

What does "hard as a rock" mean?
Have you tried putting weight on the suspension?
You won't be able to move it by hand. The spring is ~600lbs per inch.

If you've put the weight of the truck on it and the spring doesn't move there's a problem.
If you are trying to move it by hand there probably isn't a problem.

 

Thanks. I do have the weight of the truck on it. No movement. Moves fine without shock and spring connected.

 

Did you tighten everything up while it was still on jack stands? Bushings tend to seize if you don't wait to tighten everything until it's back on the ground

 

Weird.
It is possible that the shock is somehow bound and not allowing any compression.
Seems really rare. I've never heard of such a thing happening, but that doesn't mean it isn't possible.

Are both shocks like this, or is it just one of them?

 

Going to try the other one in there tomorrow. Thanks.

 

Lol.
I just did Billy 5100s and 885s today, so I have some "relevant" experience with what you're going through.

 

Did you drive it or just try to push down on the truck?

 

I'm not sure the tire has been put on yet. OP is your issue you can't get your knuckle to reach the UCA?

 

Assuming the truck rests on the stands.Jack the lower arm. Use a long pry bar to push the upper arm down.

 

Get a jack under your lca and raise it up

 

Yes. And there’s no movement in the suspension. Tomorrow I’ll try the other coil.

 

Unbolt your lower control arm from the knuckle will be two bolts underneath don't touch the middle one. Attach the knuckle to your upper control arm. You may need to use a bar to pry the UCA down to get in the knuckle than crank it on. Then jack up your lower control to reach the bottom on the knuckle. It's really hard to put the UCA on that way.

Edit: This all assumes you have a floor jack to lift the knuckle/LCA. I am surprised that you can't jack the LCA as it stands now?

 

1. Disconnect the sway bar end link from the spindle.
2. Jack up the lower control arm to put some weight on the spring. You might lift the truck off the jack stands. Be prepared for this in case the truck does want to fall. I’d probably put the other side tire back on.
3. Use a pry bar between the uca and the spring to pull it down closer to the spindle.

 

It does look like OP forgot to disconnect.

 

Worried for that exactly seeing as we have the UCA detached for a strut swap. Rather he connect the UCA first then do the LCA to the knuckle.

 

Loosen the UCA main bolt. I’m sure the UCA bushings are binding and that’s part of your problem. I’d also recommend loosening the cam bolts for the LCA. Both issues combined could cause the issue you’re describing. you’re not just fighting the suspension from compressing, you’re also fighting the bushings at both control arms.


Your fist pic showing the UCA floating up in the air shows that the bushing is holding the the UCA in the “ride height” position. Once you have everything bolted together you can torque it all with the tires on the ground at ride height.

 

FWIW I have 5100s and 888’s and it rides awesome. My point being, there is nothing wrong with your choices. I hope you figure out what’s binding you up.

 

You probably did something to the sensors wire. Did spindle go flying after you separated the ball joint?