Suspension will not decompress

I currently have Bilstein 5100 installed and set to the 1.75" height. I wanted to bring the setting to the top notch (2.5") So, I attempted to use the floor jack method to hold the lower control arm and then decompress the spring as shown in the video below. I followed all the simple steps, yet, when I went to lower the floor jack, the springs do not decompress along with the lower control arms moving downward.

Yes, I followed all the steps in the video. What am I missing???

 

Lower control arms are likely seized or sticking, so the spring will not decompress.

Be very careful with this method.

Leave the top nut on, and ratchet strap the lower control arm downwards towards its opposite arm, it's a back up method I use.

Again, be very careful. When the top nut is off, its a loaded gun.

 

Thank you. To suspected something was seized, but couldn’t imagine it’d be possible to seize something that would have constant movement during daily driving.

I’m still a little unclear on “ratchet strap the lower control arm downwards towards its opposite arm”. How would I ratchet downward towards the opposite arm when they are in parallel with eachother? The arms are on the same plane.

 

Post a picture of your setup. I’m guessing your lower control arm needs to be loosen up.

 

Did you recently loosen LCA or UCA and tighten while the suspension fully drooped? If so loosen and place on the ground then tighten.

 

Already put her back together. I did loosen the lower control arm. Felt pretty darn loose, but maybe still needed more loosening??

Not sure. A shop adjusted my suspension the last time months ago. I suppose I could try your suggestion, but how would reach a wrench in there to tighten once on the ground (presumably with the tires back on)? Do you mean that 1) with the tires off, loosen the control arms. 2) put tires on, set on ground. 3) jack up truck, take off tires and then tighten?

 

You can do it with the tires on. Are you running aftermarket upper? If it’s stock may be okay but anytime that stuff is loose tighten when it’s on the ground as least with aftermarket upper/lowers

 

Stock UCA and LCA. I was able to figure out that "on the ground" could be one in the same as putting a floor jack supporting the weight underneath the lower control arm, that's what I did when I had to tighten back up. I believe that a bolt or bolts seized up on either the upper or lower control arms. This seems to make the most sense. I'll just have to look into how to get unseized at this point.

 

1. mark, and then loosen the camber bolts on the lower control arm.
2. Bottle Jack under the lower control arm to support it
3. Remove the two 19mm bolts under the LCA, then the lower control arm will swing down.

I have seen it where the adjustable Camber bolts seize up and the lower control arm doesn't want to swing down. If that happens then you can take the tie rod apart or the UCA apart to get the shock in, but you might need a spring compressor to make those adjustments to the shocks then.

This is the best one that I have used for a Do it your self.

$60 Shankly Spring Compressor Tool - Heavy Duty Build, Ultra-Rugged Coil Spring Compressor Tool or Strut Spring Compressor Strong and Durable ATV Spring Compressor Tool

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01M0UT55Y/?coliid=I3OQ8XNXTXNXXY&colid=XEISAF4C4L8V

 

That spring compressor tool looks like a knockoff of the SPC tool. Reading the questions and answers section of that ad leads me to believe it's a dangerous version and I would avoid that. The actual SPC tool (I own a set) works great and I've used it confidently many times.

https://www.spcalignment.com/component/spc/?task=part_description&pid=40260

 

I think the LCAs are seized.... Yes the bolt will easily loosen and turn, but its the metal sleeve around the bolt that is seized to the LCA bushing sleeve that causes the issue.

 

I like the rubber boots on those. But they are all likely made at the same place and rebranded. I've used mine 20-30plus times with no issues.

 

I have seen that a lot. You can push the lower control arm down and see the bolt kinda flex inside the rubber bushing to give you some movement. But overall its time to replace the entire LCA with new bushings and ball joint then plus new camber bolts. Its basically sold as one unit through Toyota.