Bilstien 5100 front shock issues

Hey all I've run into a bit of an issue with my front shocks that I just got put on

As you can see that space is obviously not good. I think the problem is that there was only one bushing that came with the shocks the mechanic said that it may need a second bushing or something. It's like this on both sides. What do you guys think?

 

I think your mechanic did something wrong. BTW, I wouldn't drive it like that. He could have used the oem bushing.

 

x2...looks like your definitely missing a bushing

 

Or it looks like he didn't put the thick rubber gasket-type thing that goes between the top of the spring and where it contacts the truck. that piece is between 1/4" and 3/8" thick.

 

Yeah he didn't use the oem's I think what happened was that the bilstiens only came with one each, but there was two on the original shocks. I watched him install the rears today and that's when we stumbled upon this problem. He wasn't happy, but assured it's not going anywhere, he's going to fix it free of charge next week.

Also our solution right now seems to be to just put in the old bushings. Unless there is a bushing kit someone could direct me to I've had 0 luck finding one for these shocks.

 

5100s are black? Mine were silver. If they are new why not contact vendor and ask for missing parts?

 

It looks like your missing the bushing under the shock top plate. Toytec sells repalcement bushing but the shipping cost from them suck

 

Hey appreciate the replies I'll look into the toytec and the shocks are still silver that's just the boot or whatever I know nothing about trucks haha. And as for the missing parts, every shock kit was like that even the ones that he could order from napa and car quest just had one bushing.

 

Wow, free of charge! I wouldn't let that hack touch my truck.

 

Haha I know him personally. He's a good guy, I feel like free of charge is something that a non-sleezy mechanic would do. I watched him correct his mistake it's not like it's something I stumbled upon.

Now I'm convinced it's the bushing you can hear the shocks hitting where there should be rubber.

 

Friends don't let friends drive their trucks with the shocks installed wrong. Although a little harsh speedydave is right. I haven't seen any 5100 shocks that came with a boot and nobody on this forum has complained about missing bushings. Did he transfer the boot from the stock shocks? Why not use the bushing too? If your driving around like that there's a good chance the new shocks are getting damaged. You said you don't know anything about trucks but most of the members here do their own work and can spot a hack job. Sorry that this guy is a friend but I'd be reluctant to let him do any more work on your truck. I know I may be coming off like a jerk but really just trying to help. Good luck.

 

I wasn't trying to be harsh, I am serious. I was also seroius about not driving it the way that it is. It looks like he reused the stock boots too. I don't think they are compatible with the new shocks. I think the new shocks should have come with new boots. You need to post some more pics. I have installed 2 sets of 5100's myself with no issues.

Did you buy the shocks new?

It seems your mechanic is not very experienced in shocks and coil-overs.

 

yeah those are not 5100 shock boots....those look like the stock boots.

 

I wouldn't drive it either. Where is the pressure at? Can't possibly be on the shocks now. I would think you'd feel a pretty harsh ride.


My 5100 boots are black. My OEM's were blue.

 

Strut, washer, bushing with nipple (dirty bastards), top hat, bushing, washer, nut washer, locking nut. The mechanic dropped the bushing that goes under the top hat during install as the bushing nipple pulled out of the shaft hole as the factory strut was being removed. During assembly this should have been noticed since it’s quite obvious.

That bushing alone from the dealer is going to cost some coin and I'm not sure you can just buy the bushing, it may be a kit paired with washers. The ones that Toytec sells I suspect are poly rather than rubber which react different but won’t be noticeable.

The boot on the Bilsteins is Black, looks like a Bilstein boot to me, but then again the picture not real clear.

 

Non TRD models do not have the Blue and Yellow Bilsteins, they are black china shocks with black boots.

 

The boots look correct. No worries there.

 

Learned something new... Although the yellow and blue shocks are about as tacky as it comes.

 

I was wrong about the boot. Looked at mine today and saw that. But still if I put one on and it wasn't right I'd stop and figure out what was wrong before doing the other side. And like others have said I wouldn't drive it like that but maybe your made of money and just don't care. Btw Speedydave I meant no offence.

 

No worries! I just hope Mr. Rillow gets his shocks fixed up right.

Are there any local members that could help him out? If he was in the Charlotte area, I would load my stuff up and go fix it.