Bilstein 5100 front install help

Ok, so I really ought to be able to figure this out, but I can't.

Started reinstalling my Bilstein 5100s in front. Had the shop swap the stock springs onto the new shocks. Went to put the new setup in place (stock height, stock springs) but the shock is about an inch and a half longer than the lower control arm will droop.

I removed the sway bar end link and got a little more droop, but not enough. I removed the cotter pin and castle nut from the top of the upper control arm but the spindle won't budge. Do I need a pickle fork or just more hammer to get that thing out? And is that the easiest way to go for the necessary suspension droop so I can get the shock/bushing/bolt in at the bottom?

(Sorry about the sideways picture.)

Thanks,

-Jonathan

 

undo the 4 14mm bolts on the bottom balljoint/control arm. use either your foot or some leverage to pry the lower control arm down, pop your bolt in with the nut on. Take a jack and jack up the rear control arm until you can get the spindle bolted back up to it.

 

You can put a bottle jack between the UCA and the fender and use the jack to force the UCA down a but further too.

 

I didn't do the LCA bolts, was hoping to avoid that.

So what, exactly, is limiting the suspension travel that I need?

 

Loosen the LCA bolts and the remove the two bolts attaching the LCA/ball joints to your spindle.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vkVLBOnAifc

 

Is the Jack Stand under the frame, or on the lower control arm? Usually you can take a long pipe and slide it through lower arm to leverage it down enough to get the bolt in.

 

I got it done tonight. Passenger side was tough - removed the four bolts holding the ball joint to the spindle and then pried the lower control arm down with a breaker bar.

The driver side was much easier and I didn't need to remove the four bolts. At first I thought one side was easier because of some swaybar influence from one side to the other, but since I disconnected it for each side, I kind of doubt it. I guess it has more to do with the quirks of a suspension with 127,000 miles on it.

Anyway, thanks for the help. This forum is excellent.