Bilstein 6112 Upper Mount Clocking Location

Hey all, I'm hoping to get some advice on a 6112 install on my 3g Tacoma. In the Bilstein install guide, it calls out noting the location of where the coil ends relative to the upper mount plate (pic. 1). I received my shocks pre-assembled but did the install myself. The assembly wasn't performed with attention to detail as the mounting plate did not align with the bottom shock orientation. I had to budge it about 1/2" in one direction to get everything lined up (pic. 2 before shot).

I've installed it in the orientation shown in picture two, but the "dip" in the rubber bushing relative to the end of the spring is on the opposite side (pic. 3). Is this problematic? In picture 2, you can see how the OEM shock came out and how I put the new one in. Is Bilstein just calling this out in their guide to help with aligning the spring when assembling or is it structurally significant?

Hope it makes sense what I'm asking, happy to clarify.

 

Welcome to TW.

That dip is just where the end of the spring is. It’s usually offset to reduce stress closer to the bolts. As long as the bolts and bottom bushing are closed right it shouldn’t be a real issue. If you paid someone ask them to redo it if you’re uneasy about it.


Question, is the black bushing missing under that washer on the top hat? You can see it in the install instructions too

 

Hard to see in the photos I posted. It's there, just very compressed and with a large brim hat. Or am I looking at the wrong bushing?

 

During the install, it was very difficult attaching the two bolts of the LCA back to the rotor assembly (?). I have the springs set to the maximum clip height giving me the most lift. Would this difficulty getting the LCAs to reach the mount point be due to running stock UCAs, so it didn't have enough reach to account for the height? Took a jack and elbow grease to finally get the bolts threaded.

 

Now that I have no idea but maybe @Superdave1.0 knows.

 

Thanks for the clarification. Sounds like it's not that big of a deal. Unfortunately, I was shipped these pre-assembled and the company I used isn't great on post-sale support. They're on the truck now after some hopefully benign manipulation. Appreciate the help!

 

Shouldn’t really be an issue.

Where’s the full pic of the truck though?

 

You could have tried a large pry bar and wedged it on top of the UCA. Thus bringing the spindle down to the LCA. I don't remove those lower 2 bolts to install coilovers. I prefer to separate the UCA ball joint to get the coilover out. Those lower bolts can be hard to start when everything else is assembled.

 

That's a good idea. I may try going the UCA route if I need to replace them next time. Indeed it was difficult to start once everything was in place.

Pics coming soon! Need to finish a couple of things and then wash all the pollen off. Thanks for the help all.

 

I think you are missing the lower bushing thats usually bonded to the top mount. shouldnt have that many threads showing on the end of the rod.