Cracked Strut

Hey Everyone,

I was changing my front rotors today and noticed the coil on my strut is snapped at the bottom. I want to remove the strut and replace it with a new bilstein 4600 pre-assembled with a coil. Is it safe to take it off? It looks like it's in pretty rough shape and I know that the coils are known to be deadly.

 

They’d get another 10 years out of that here in Buffalo.

 

Oh yea? So you're saying I should just leave it be?

 

Holy rust?!

 

It's safe to remove. Once the assembly is out, you will need a spring compressor to disassemble, but that's not a worry, since you said you are getting new assemblies. They already come put together.

 

Why not? You’re a lazybum.

 

The spring on my driver side 6112 broke last spring. I didn’t notice any handling changes, but it did make a lot of clunking noise.

 

Yeahhhh, northeast winters really do a number on metal. The frame was replaced, so it's pretty solid but everything else is rusted to high heaven. I'm going to brush everything in the wheel well down tomorrow, clean with degreaser, dry, and spray with Rustoleum Rust Reformer. Hopefully that will at least keep slow down the rusting.

 

Haha, that I am!

 

Thanks for the info. I will probably end up doing this.

 

Looks like you also have a spacer lift. Why not just replace with pre assembled 5100s and ditch the space

 

Yeah, I've noticed my steering wheel is doing a little wobbling at high speed. Thought it might be rusty old rotors, but may also be the coil.

 

YES. I bought this truck from someone who lifted it and I was hoping someone could explain to me how I can return to to it's stock height. How do I do this?

Edit: nevermind I get what you are saying. The 5100s are 2" longer so don't need the spacers?

 

Seeing that would make me want to inspect the rest of the frame very closely.

Before I spent any $ on repairs.

 

Seeing the rust or the broken strut? I've looked at the frame quite closely and it is pretty solid. Most of the rust is surface rust on welds. The frame was replaced under warranty not that long ago. But I appreciate the input!

 

How do I determine the front lift height. Is it as simple as just measuring the distance denoted by the red lines in the attached picture?

 

I believe it's the distance x 2 is the lift due to the geometry of the suspension. The 5100s have an adjustable collar on the bottom end which can push the spring up or down. You can keep the same height you have now or lower it. If you purchase them preassembled, you can request what height you want them at.

 

Do any other parts of the suspension need to be changed in order to swap out the current shocks + spacer for a bilstein 5100? Obviously I would do the other side too.

 

Nope. You'll just need the shock, coil, and top hat. The upper control arm would be optional

 

....clarence here....