Strut mount not right?

Ok, you guys are confusing him. He's talking TOP HATS. They do not stay on the truck. They are part of your suspension, period.

It looks like he got basic plates home made.

 

What exactly do you mean by this?

He has top plates on his truck right now, they are correct to the truck. The top plates that came with his 5100s are incorrect (whether they be first gen (flat) top plates or homemade). The top plates that should be used for the 5100s are same as stock. So, they stay on the truck as most people buy 5100s assembled and without top plates anyways.

 

Top hat. You are thinking strut mount. Top hats go on coils. Upper strut mount is what it mounts to.

 

This thread is really confusing...

Is everybody talking about the plastic peice with the 3 bolts in it?

If so, I agree that it looks incorrect.

To remedy this, can OP disassemble his current coilovers, swap the top piece, and this issue be corrected?

I'm honestly confused in what we are talking about....

 

Whether you call it a top hat or plate, it doesnt come out with the strut. You simply unbolt the top nut on the strut and drop it out. Those 3 bolts on the strut plat hold that plate in place. the only part that drops out with the strut is the rubber ring that goes between the spring and the top hat or plate.

I should say, using the easy method the top plate doesn't come out.

 

No, I'm talking about top hats. OP need to reassemble his 5100/885 combo with these:




He should already have a set of those attached to his truck.

The only reason I brought up 1st gens is because the top plate on them is flat.

 

It looks like it top plate could be upside down with mounting screws could going the wrong direction

 

Only if you do it the lower control arm way. If you replace the whole unit it all comes out. Have you actually ever done it the proper way?

 

Yes!!!! This!!!!! This is why I was confused at first. The truck should already have them.

 

I've done it both ways many times. Ive used spring compressors probably 5 times in the past. Ive used the jack lowering the strut twice with the bottom of the strut bolted to the LCA. Which is much safer than relying on those spring compressors.

 

This is what a pre assembled unit looks like if you just swap the entire thing out. The top hats do not stay with the truck when you do it this way. The top hat is what keeps the coil on the shock.

 

Yes, the top hat does hold the coil on the shock, but there is no reason it can't be reused. OP needs to disassemble his 5100s no matter what, any which way he decides.

LCA method is relatively easy and way safer than spring compressor. Other option would be to take both sets into a shop with a coil compressor and have them swap top hats.

For OP's reference:

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

 

Right, but his truck as it sits, should still have the factory top hats attached to his truck. So he shouldn't need to buy new top hats.

 

I agree 100%

 

That's what I was wondering, if the stock hats I have on now would fit on the 5100's.. I think I need to get rid of the plate for new hats. I may buy new cause I would like all new bushings. I knew it didn't look right. Thanks so much for all the input. Much appreciated!

 

I might as well order the top spacer and get the full 3' too. After reading up on that it seems good.. No need to reply on that!

 

The top plates are 1st gen top plates....

 

Does anyone know for sure that my stock top hats will fit my 5100's? Also would the bushings and washers be the same? Thanks!

 

yes if you have the stock 2nd gen it's a direct swap

 

I've purchaed new top hats and a bushing set and I have access to a spring compressor, so I'm going to do it with a buddy. Does the new top-hat sit a certain way to line up properly? (For the Top and bottom mounts on the shock assembly to fit right?