Bilstein 5160 Installation Questions (5 Viewers)

[Cruiser Weight]

I'm a bit embarrassed to post these pics, but just want to finish installing these 5160s...

From the bottom to the top, the OEM shock went dust shield --> washer --> bushing --> washer --> frame --> washer --> bushing --> washer --> nut. I copied this with the hardware Bilstein provided.

What secures the 5160's shock shaft relative to the frame? In other words, what prevents the shock shaft from punching through the body?

Thank you!

 

[sedole]

The long sleeve that you have on top of the shock mount should go onto the shock shaft first, underneath the mount point. When it's all tightened up and oriented properly it doesn't come anywhere close to the body. They should have provided a small paper graphic in the box. Or at least mine came with one.

 

[Cruiser Weight]

The long sleeve that you have on top of the shock mount should go onto the shock shaft first, underneath the mount point. When it's all tightened up and oriented properly it doesn't come anywhere close to the body. They should have provided a small paper graphic in the box. Or at least mine came with one.

So... when the rear axle was completely drooped, the sleeve was mounted first and the bushing and washers below the frame went over the sleeve. The bushing and washers above the frame also fit over the sleeve.

The two photos with the shock "mounted" are what happened when the truck was lowered back onto its weight. I think the sleeve pushed up through the bushings.

Unfortunately, Bilstein's instructions gave me a QR code that gave me absolutely no information or diagrams.

 

[sedole]

It’s been a couple years so I can’t remember exactly. But was the hole of two of the washers smaller than the others? Those should be the top and bottom most washers. Have you installed both sides already? Possible the hardware was mixed between the two? Not trying to be insulting.

If you did indeed do that then I have no idea..

 

[sedole]

Here’s a picture I found online

 

[Cruiser Weight]

It’s been a couple years so I can’t remember exactly. But was the hole of two of the washers smaller than the others? Those should be the top and bottom most washers. Have you installed both sides already? Possible the hardware was mixed between the two? Not trying to be insulting.

If you did indeed do that then I have no idea..

No offense taken - I appreciate you helping me!

I did install both sides already, but I'll take it down and check the holes in the washers. The pieces in the photo you attached were the ones I remember, but I may have messed up the order of the washers.

I'll play with it this week.

 

[Boston Mangler]

Yesh, that long spacer is installed wrong.

Dont feel bad, youre not the only one thats done this

 

[Cruiser Weight]

Thank you @sedole! The washers with the smallest inner diameter holes need to "book end" the bushings.

In droop, the nut and washer with the smallest inner diameter prevents the shock shaft from pulling out of the frame.

In compression, the second washer with the smallest inner diameter, bottomed out against the shock boot mount, which in turn is bottomed out against the step machined in the shaft prevents the shaft from pushing through the frame.

Hope this helps someone in the future!

Here’s a picture I found online View attachment 3919818