Bilstein shocks thread

ThundahBeagle · December 23, 2020

Wow, HoosierZ, nice build. Waaayy better than the crap compressor I was using.

I saw a guy, Mark Jenkins out of Maine, had a youtube video and used a Shankley compressor. It looked more like yours. I think all I could have done with that AutoZone special was Honda Civic coils, because it was bowing out worse than my boss's mother's knees!

Red_5 · December 23, 2020

14 hours ago, HoosierZ said:

Definitely don’t rely on the normal spring compressors that parts stores have. I built my own when I put Bilsteins on my ‘08. The screws on mine are 20mm (nearly 13/16”) and the hooks are high carbon steel. I also added safety pins to make sure the hooks couldn’t slip off the springs. The parts store compressors use 1/2”-5/8” screws and weaker cast or forged hooks.

I pulled the assemblies off and took them to a shop and had them swap the the tophats. After watching the guy do it I felt it was money well spent. I’ve swapped springs on a small car years ago so I’ve had that life experience.

14LTZ-1LZ · December 27, 2020

On 12/11/2020 at 10:33 PM, Snowcamo said:

Here I was thinking it was only me this entire time... Same here more trampoline like tho. Sorta float.

Have you figured it out? I might have by accident. Revisit the strut tower bolt an tighten it again, if you couldn't torque it to specification which I think is 37 ft. lbs. It has worked out for me which I could kick my self, plus got tired of the wife complaining. lol.

Edited December 27, 2020 by 14LTZ-1LZ

ThundahBeagle · December 27, 2020

18mm socket for the 3 top nuts, 15mm for the bottoms. My info agrees with 14LTZ...37 ft/lbs, both top and bottom nuts.

Every job I do, I try to gather socket size and torque so that I can keep streamlining what tools I need to bring.

Snowcamo · December 29, 2020

Have you figured it out? I might have by accident. Revisit the strut tower bolt an tighten it again, if you couldn't torque it to specification which I think is 37 ft. lbs. It has worked out for me which I could kick my self, plus got tired of the wife complaining. lol.

For sure got the tq to spec. I'm betting its just these struts.

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amxguy1970 · January 14, 2021

On 12/21/2020 at 5:56 AM, Snowcamo said:

Agreed. Its utter nonsense to attempt at home. Guys claim to do it without issue. I call B.S. its down right dangerous. I went the next step up to the McPherson strut clamp and the damn spring flew out & you know that damn clamp was bent like hell.

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You call BS on anyone being able to do it at their home without issue? I call BS on your BS call. I am sure tons of people have knocked it out on their own at home, including myself. We used an air compressor to speed up the change with the spring compressors, didn't run in to issues and it was done in an afternoon. Was a little nerve-racking when compressed but went just fine, next time though if I ever have to do it again I will take them to a shop to knock it out.

Tyler

Snowcamo · January 14, 2021

Tyler... Really? You really think a auto parts store clamp wont bend. That's straight BS bro. I will not put someones life in danger. Just not gonna do that. Im not here to make things sound good. Its a shady at home diy bud. As seen it takes a stout clamp to fully compress these truck springs. That you wont find at an auto parts store. They all bend and that is the issue.

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Papa0159 · January 17, 2021

So I just purchased a 2018 Silverado LT2 this week and I am looking to do something about the rear shocks. I was going through this thread and other on the forum and found a lot of information on rear shocks but most of them seemed to be for the 2014-2016 model years and I wanted to make sure I was getting good info for my year. On the outside my main "concern" with the rear Rancho shocks is they are pink. I don't know if that is the standard or they were painted but that is a problem for me. Also looking at them the lower "white" part is having the rusting issue that seems to be very common. As it appears that replacing the rear struts can be fairly inexpensive and an easy job to do myself I looking for recommendations for replacements. As far as I know the truck is stock height. It seems like a lot of the recommendations in the earlier model years were the Bilstein 5100s or 4600s, I was just wondering if that was still the case for the 2018. Also looking for options / opinions on what to do with current shocks as far as the rust and changing the color. Thanks

HoosierZ · January 17, 2021

When my Ranchos rusted all to hell after the first winter, I pulled them off, cut the pink boots off, sanded and painted the shocks black, and put on some black bellows style boots.

WilliamBos · January 24, 2021

I want to run a set of these on my 17 Silverado 1500, I also want to run new UCA what brand UCA does everyone recommend?

jaimeastin · January 26, 2021

Finally ordered a rear set of 5100 for my 2018 silverado. Purchased new on ebay for $135 plus $13 shipping. https://www.ebay.com/itm/Pair-Bilstein-5100-Gas-Shocks-Rear-for-2014-18-Chevrolet-Silverado-1500-Off-Road-/184614244191?_trksid=p2349624.m46890.l49292

I had them in my cart for a few days and he sent me an offer for $15 discount. That was good enough for me. If you all need a set, I would shoot him a message.

jimbrown1 · January 26, 2021

59 minutes ago, jaimeastin said:

Finally ordered a rear set of 5100 for my 2018 silverado. Purchased new on ebay for $135 plus $13 shipping. https://www.ebay.com/itm/Pair-Bilstein-5100-Gas-Shocks-Rear-for-2014-18-Chevrolet-Silverado-1500-Off-Road-/184614244191?_trksid=p2349624.m46890.l49292

I had them in my cart for a few days and he sent me an offer for $15 discount. That was good enough for me. If you all need a set, I would shoot him a message.

You’ll like them

jaimeastin · January 26, 2021

My goal is to have 5100s all around. I wanted to get rid of the ranchos since I got the truck. I don’t care about leveling the truck, but if I can get a lift, why not?

I know I can get over 1.5 from the front on max. I am thinking of replacing the rear block with a 2”. I tow by boat and haul stuff from time to time... my truck is no mall crawler, I want to keep the rake.

question is, if going max on front and the lift in the back, do I need to change or about anything else breaking or out of spec? I am not trying to do a full lift, just get a better ride overall. If I don’t do the lift, I will just put the front on the lowest setting and keep the rear block in place.

your opinion matters. Thanks!

jaimeastin · January 28, 2021

Installed the rear 5100 today. 15 minute job. taking for a drive across the tracks and different things and it just felt better. Have wanted to get rid of those other shocks since I purchased the truck and got tossed around on the freeway in Oakland... Going to let my local shop install the front.

Papa0159 · February 13, 2021

If I am just planning on replacing the rear shocks would that have any effect on the warranty? the bumper to bumper warranty is still good for another year.