Bilstein HD Install

[ulakovic22]

I've seen a couple of threads about Bilstein HD issues and wanted to post a picture of what I've experienced. I did the install on Sunday in my driveway, it didn't take very long, about 45 minutes a side. I encountered an issue on the passenger side where I wouldn't compress the shock enough to get it to mount on the lower control arm, but after some muscle and beating with a BFH I was able to get it on. The drive side was smooth as butter. The part number on the shocks was BIL 24-186926 and I purchased them through AJ-USA.

The before measurements with factory auto ride and 80K miles was 35 13/16, the after measurements today after driving approx 50 miles was 39 3/8. The rear measurements before and today without any shock change remained 37 1/4. I have a contact that allows me to get 20% off at the parts house, so I'm replacing these Wednesday with OEM units that are $369 a piece. Part # 20810269 or 19300038.

I can't comment on the ride quality because with the front so high I feel it wouldn't be fair to explain how bad the ride is, but it basically drove like a tractor, very bouncy. It wasn't able to be aligned either at the shop. I'm not looking to bash or complain about anything, just give others my experience and a heads up about the possible issues one my encounter getting the HD shocks. A lot of people had great things to say about them when I searched for reviews, so I am disappointed obviously. I would say that these would be for sale in the parts section soon, but I wouldn't feel right selling these to a forum member given my issues and I don't have 85 posts yet either, haha.

 

[NathanJax]

were they suppose to jack your truck up? Is that a lift kit or is that what the shocks did?


(not trying to be funny, just asking cause that pic look WAYYYY wrong)

 

[Goodinblack]

That picture ..... wth?

 

[Blazed]

That's strange..

 

[Goodinblack]

Someone stole your engine?

 

[Blazed]

I bought mine from there and this did not happen...
Maybe they sent you the wrong part number on accident.

 

[NORCAL SS]

can you take a pic of the lower spring perch. Might have it upside down

 

[ulakovic22]

can you take a pic of the lower spring perch. Might have it upside down

You know, that is a VERY real possibility. It would explain a lot, especially considering how extremely bad my install turned out. I will have to check when I get home tonight (car pooled with the wife), but I'm guessing you're right Tony.

---------- Post added at 08:08 AM ---------- Previous post was at 08:06 AM ----------

Someone stole your engine?

That's funny, I litereally LOL'd. Kinda does look like my F-Body when I yanked the engine.

 

[Goodinblack]

You get this figured out yet?

Very curious to find out what went wrong.

Also....... Bilsteins are a great riding shock. Better than a lot of other stuff.

 

[NORCAL SS]

Lower mount is upside down for sure

 

[ulakovic22]

Thanks for the heads up/advice Tony, very much appreciated. The lower spring perch was in fact upside down. I flipped both of them over and took it for a test drive and it rides awesome. The correction took me an hour and 47 minutes with a couple of interruptions, but that's expected with 4 kids. Thanks everyone for the interest in seeing how it turned out. One thing I didn't do according to the instructions was use the collar provided with the shocks. The lip on the shock body was in the same location as factory and the perch fit great. I tried the spring perch with the collar installed and it didn't fit right and of course raised the perch up about a 1/4 inch. What does everyone else do who install the Bilstein's?

---------- Post added at 09:08 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:06 PM ----------

Oh yeah, no measurements yet. It was too dark to take a picture and measure when I got done. I work a 8-5ish so I only have a couple hours after work before it gets dark.

 

[NORCAL SS]

Yes ive done a few of them over when shops did what you did and dont know what happened and i get them lol. Easy fix and your ready to roll.


Yes yours is the same as the ones ive been doing on the hds. If you decide to go lower and dont have a machine shop near you shoot them out to me and I can machine it and ship it back to you the next day.

 

[Darkie]

Hi
I had these installed in my truck that was already dropped when they finished the front went up several inches
I see the pic you posted but is that right or wrong pic
Here's how they did mine
Thanks

 

[NORCAL SS]

They also have a lifting strut. Maybe they put that one in

 

[ulakovic22]

Hi
I had these installed in my truck that was already dropped when they finished the front went up several inches
I see the pic you posted but is that right or wrong pic
Here's how they did mine
Thanks

The picture I posted was how I installed the spring perches wrong the first time. In your picture everything appears to be fine. I would check the part number that is stamped on the shock and look it up. It's at the bottom of the shock so you should be able to see it. Like Tony said, it's possible whoever installed it got the Bilstein 5100 series shocks which allow you to raise your vehicle.

 

[Darkie]

I got them from arnott p/n 29-5009
Thank You

 

[ulakovic22]

I'm not familiar with Arnott products. What do you consider several inches? Off the top of my head they might have used the Bilstein collar which will increase height, but not "several" inches.

 

[Darkie]

It was about an inch from fender to tire now it looks like someone stole my engine too

 

[Blazed]

Maybe you had lowering struts before and didnt know.

 

[Darkie]

Never thought of that
Thanks
Will the lowering struts by bell tech be a comparable ride to the bilstein
What do you guys use for a lowering strut