HELP! Fail. Can't loosen the bolt on the swaybar.

Leave the swaybar off it is then. Now how do I squeeze these coilovers (5100s with OMEs) in? Any tricks on getting the LCAs down low enough to shove coilovers in easily?

 

Prybar action on the UCA... Thats the best place I found anyways.

 

Looks like the bottom of the strut isn't fitting flush into the LCA. Compared it to my stockers and I need to twist the strut just a tad bit. Do I just loosen the bolt on the tophat do be able to do this?

 

mark the cam tabs of the LCA bolts. Loosen LCA bolts. then the LCA can drop to the floor. you dont even need a spring compressor to install struts this way. Bring the suspension back to being under load, and tighten the LCA bolts at the frame.

 

Ah, the pesky twist. If it's slight enough, you can persuade it in (I did). If it's too much, you may have to compress the springs and get your angles right.

As to squeezing in the coilover... You probably already marked and loosened the cam bolts. I was able to pry the LCA down with a crow bar enough to get the lower strut mount nearly lined up. Then I used a dead blow hammer to finesse it in the rest of the way.

My passenger side went in without effort. The driver side required some persuasion. I think my LCA bushings were already seizing.

 

Honestly, this technique sees far more use on stripped phillips head screws. I know some of you will be using it. You're welcome.

 

BOOM! 5 hours later lol. Stuck a 2X4 between LCA and bumpstop and had my wife flex it to squeeze coilover in. As far as the strut bottom, stuck a screwdriver in the hole and twisted it into perfect angle with bolt hole (thanks Dustin). Got about 2.25" of lift. Couldn't have finished this without your suggestions guys thanks. Next week, AALs hahaha.

 

Also, how many miles do you guys recommend to let coilovers settle in before getting an alignment?

 

Got these in yesterday from a fellow member . It came with the longer bolts now my question is do I need to change out any other hardware other than supplied longer bolts? Don't want to take rear apart and get stuck in the middle of the job.

 

Sub'd. I've got my lift parts sitting in the garage waiting for me to attack...

 

Cutoff wheel on an air grinder fixed mine .... $14 later they were new. Lousy design, the Allen head strips right out.

 

Installed my AALs today whew . Took about 3 hours and definitely not as hard as the fronts. I love how truck sits now and you guys are right, the ride is so much smoother.