Pre-Loaded Strut/Spring : Parts to Make My Own

[The_Burban]

Their warranty guy is doing his job to deny everything. Seems perfection flows from Bilstein and stops at their door.

I question a piece of equipment that is to support my multiple ton family vehicle but cannot have a brand new GM top nut installed.

 

[swathdiver]

Just realize that last part you listed is the strut (shock, spring perch, bump stop cap and nut). I already had the Bilstein 5100s. So I had to buy that part just to get the spring perch piece.

But yes, if you want to go that route you can. Keeping all things stock, mind as well go for a monroe type pre-loaded strut. Do the whole front end for $200. At the dealer you are looking at $400 per front ordering number by number.


Now, seems the shop may be in the clear. In person review presented itself much differently than understood on phone. I am going to fight for Bilstein to warranty.

I've never had Monroe parts last more than a couple of years. The OE stuff is ten years old and still going strong on mine. The pre-assembled struts are not the same quality.

 

[The_Burban]

I've never had Monroe parts last more than a couple of years. The OE stuff is ten years old and still going strong on mine. The pre-assembled struts are not the same quality.

I'm glad you say that. It makes all that I'm going through right now seem worth it in the end.

 

[PG01]

I'm glad you say that. It makes all that I'm going through right now seem worth it in the end.

View attachment 222724

Unless you put them 5100’s on 1st notch or ‘stock ride height’ I believe you’re gonna have problems getting them to fit with that spacer, as a matter of fact if those are z71 springs, with the 5100’s on stock height, your gonna be higher than you think and your angles are gonna be too much without new uca’s if you’re 4wd.

I like it tho.

 

[fireburban]

Unless you put them 5100’s on 1st notch or ‘stock ride height’ I believe you’re gonna have problems getting them to fit with that spacer, as a matter of fact if those are z71 springs, with the 5100’s on stock height, your gonna be higher than you think and your angles are gonna be too much without new uca’s if you’re 4wd.

I like it tho.

I have the Z71 springs in the rear, with 5100's but 1 in longer stroke than oem.

Stock springs w 80k mi. on the struts, 2nd rung on the 5100's also. I run the 2.5 CCM top of strut spacer as well. Had an alignment done after the shop swapped my struts.

Rides great, couldn't be happier! No angle issues as of yet.

So are you talking Z71 springs in the struts as well? Guess I didn't hear of them being taller or longer on the front, only the rear? Interested...

 

[fireburban]

Their warranty guy is doing his job to deny everything. Seems perfection flows from Bilstein and stops at their door.

I question a piece of equipment that is to support my multiple ton family vehicle but cannot have a brand new GM top nut installed.

Honestly I'd look at the shop for replacement. They screwed up and over tightened that nut, which made the rod snap.

Of course they don't want to replace it. It eats up their profit. Not your problem though.

If I was you I'd be getting that shop to buy you a new Bilstien! My 2 cents.

Then put them together yourself or another reputable shop.

I wouldn't be surprised to see you will have trouble getting that nut off of the one they did complete. I'm betting they did the same with that one.

Sorry to hear the issues, good luck!

 

[The_Burban]

Honestly I'd look at the shop for replacement. They screwed up and over tightened that nut, which made the rod snap.

Of course they don't want to replace it. It eats up their profit. Not your problem though.

If I was you I'd be getting that shop to buy you a new Bilstien! My 2 cents.

Then put them together yourself or another reputable shop.

I wouldn't be surprised to see you will have trouble getting that nut off of the one they did complete. I'm betting they did the same with that one.

Sorry to hear the issues, good luck!

Well, they were trying to help me out. Original shop said they no longer did light truck suspension. A phone call later, guy there said he is waiting for you.

It was a favor... That snapped my strut.

 

[The_Burban]

Getting there... And a few other parts...

Now just need a day... Or weekend.



eBay seller of Bilstein set is trying to help w replacement.

 

[daddyrim]

Getting there... And a few other parts...

Now just need a day... Or weekend.

View attachment 222958

eBay seller of Bilstein set is trying to help w replacement.

What rear springs and Bilstein shock part numbers are you using? In the process of gathering parts as well to eliminate the Autoride that has long since crapped out.

 

[PG01]

What rear springs and Bilstein shock part numbers are you using? In the process of gathering parts as well to eliminate the Autoride that has long since crapped out.

Something like this

 

[The_Burban]

Part numbers seen above.

I do not believe four rear insulators (rubber pads) are needed. Only two.

I am not auto-ride and do not need resistors.

I am also using lower spacers from Rough Country to provide lift rather than using the Bilsteins. They will be at lowest ring, stock height.

If you want to preload like I did you will not be able to purchase new the front assembly's lower spring PERCH - there is no PN, it is not a stand alone piece.

 

[The_Burban]

Learned my tool chest is suited for passenger cars and not full size SUVs. Need to get some bigger sockets and wrenches.

Today was not - though I was hoping it would be - the day for suspension.

 

[daddyrim]

How necessary is the airbags? I tow on the very odd occasion only at this point, wondering if its worth it or if you keep them semi-inflated on a normal basis for ride comfort?

 

[The_Burban]

I don't have autoride and I do not tow much, ever.

 

[fireburban]

How necessary is the airbags? I tow on the very odd occasion only at this point, wondering if its worth it or if you keep them semi-inflated on a normal basis for ride comfort?

Yeah I added them for towing, as I haul a 10k lb dump trailer and my 32ft camper (6000lbs) on a regular basis. I'd say if you don't tow, then skip that part. But the one time you hook up to something, and if it's heavy you'll wish you had them, ass down, face up.

It was easy to install them though, soak the bags in hot water for 10 mins before shoving them through the springs. Done this many times over the years with a few drag cars. Although I will say they don't totally level the rear end when towing, they do help, which is why they must be called "helper" springs!

In the beginning of my suspension swap, I was going to try and hook the air bags up to the factory air compressor (Z55/Autoride on LTZ Models), so when I did tow it would air them up for me, but I didn't end up getting enough motivation to try and make that work.

Hope this helps!

 

[The_Burban]

Fronts in. All is such a mess. Today, three bolts snapped off. Simple job made very strenuous.

I have no way to get the RC spacer installed. The Z71 spring and fresh Bilstein make for a taller assembly and just barely fit in!

 

[The Raven]

Went through this back in February. I completely replaced my front suspension (UCAs/LCAs, Strut assemblies, knuckles, tie-rod ends, sway bar links, all bolts and bushings) and started out going the Bilstein 5100 route. Once I found out that i'd need to buy replacement struts in order to get the lower perches (mine were permanently rust-welded to the OE units), and read about all the issues with the little c-clips that hold those perches shearing off, I bailed on Bilstein and went with the Rancho RS9000 Quicklift. Best decision ever.

But i'm with you on the everything-breaking thing...on my truck everything was rusted to everything else. The only tools that worked for tear-down were a sawzall, angle-grinder, and cutting torch. I POR15'ed everything before re-assembly so hopefully it won't happen again.

 

[The_Burban]

Went through this back in February. I completely replaced my front suspension (UCAs/LCAs, Strut assemblies, knuckles, tie-rod ends, sway bar links, all bolts and bushings) and started out going the Bilstein 5100 route. Once I found out that i'd need to buy replacement struts in order to get the lower perches (mine were permanently rust-welded to the OE units), and read about all the issues with the little c-clips that hold those perches shearing off, I bailed on Bilstein and went with the Rancho RS9000 Quicklift. Best decision ever.

But i'm with you on the everything-breaking thing...on my truck everything was rusted to everything else. The only tools that worked for tear-down were a sawzall, angle-grinder, and cutting torch. I POR15'ed everything before re-assembly so hopefully it won't happen again.

I had given Rancho a look but couldnt find good or bad. Coming from the BMW and VW scene, I was familiar with Bilstein.

Looking back, I amwondering why not just new arms, etc like you did. $$$ is likely one factor but I'd prefer to make it a one time ordeal.

My M18 1/2 Fuel HiTorque Impact can do some damage.. too much on occasion.

 

[The Raven]

I had given Rancho a look but couldnt find good or bad. Coming from the BMW and VW scene, I was familiar with Bilstein.

Looking back, I amwondering why not just new arms, etc like you did. $$$ is likely one factor but I'd prefer to make it a one time ordeal.

My M18 1/2 Fuel HiTorque Impact can do some damage.. too much on occasion.

I've had great experience with Bilstein up until now. I will say this - the 5100's definitely have a more quality feel to them than the RS9000's...but the 5100's complexity of install combined with the c-clip failures and lack of adjustable damping made the Rancho's difficult to pass up.

I replaced everything for exactly the reason you cite - once and done. Now I won't have to worry about it again in the time i'll own it.

I have the exact same impact as you...it was useless tearing down my suspension. Not it's fault though - the camber/caster bolts were permanently rust-welded to the UCA bushing sleeves...nothing was getting those things out the right way. It was a great help with the re-assembly process though.