Bilstein 5100 Shock Install

I wanted to post the most useful information to me for putting my 5100's in. I consider myself handy but never put shocks in, this is do-able but here are some tips I could have used.

- The video below is a really quick and accurate account of the bolts that need to come out, and torque values. It will give you the confidence to take a crack at this yourself.

- I would not attempt this without an impact wrench and breaker bar handy. Its amazing how stubborn/rusty/frozen the nuts can be on a two year old vehicle. Maybe spray some penetrating oil the night before.

- The torque spec guide below is super handy for this and many other repairs.

- I did not have a spring compression tool, the bolts at the top of the strut are extremely difficult if not impossible to remove, so I cut them off with an angle grinder. To re-install, I put the 5100's and spring back in and jacked up below the control arm to compress the spring. This worked great.

- the cushion/bushing at the top of the strut that came with the 5100's was thicker than stock. I ended up ordering a new set of stock bushings to put back in. I felt this allowed the bolt to be put on with a few more threads, and achieved a more level height, vs the front being 1/4 inch higher than the back with the bilstein bushings. (I used the third notch on the bilstein).

- Please note that I am an AMATURE so do more research beyond this if you are looking to put these in. After having done the job, everything looks and feels right though.


Shock Removal and Install
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IOW-FRDl5wg

Torque Spec Guide
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/the-torque-spec-guide.318116/

Amazon Search / Part used
Bilstein 24263108 Shock Absorber

 

Thank you very much for sharing

 

Dont forget to get an alignment done
100 bucks is alot less then 600+ for 2 new tires

 

You know, I was kind of being cheap and trying to avoid that, but I think I'm going to go do it. Thanks.