5100 RHA Headaches

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montgomery1321

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So I put the Bilstein's on back in 2020 and it's been headaches ever since. Took caution to ensure an alignment was done after any adjustments to get the truck where I want it. Currently it's at the TRX/17.5mm setting, which is the first up from stock. I have a slight lean to the rear I'd like to get rid of, but more so I'd like to get rid of the metal on metal squeaking I've been dealing with. Before moving the height down I had the pleasure of discovering the top of the strut had rubbed the threading off on the opening of the

I'd like to say that I did the work myself after watching videos of people do it step-by-step and followed the instructions (which aren't very thorough).

So, if anyone has advice on alignment specs, tips to keep them from shifting (yes everything is torqued to the factory specs) I would greatly appreciate it.
 

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OC455

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I don't think the alignment is what caused your problem...
 

crazykid1994

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How did you torque it? I’ve had bilstein 5100 in my truck for 4 years. I have a 2017. What it looks like is either it wasn’t torqued properly or if there was a washer it was missed or installed in the wrong side allowing for play in the shaft.
 

Quick_Shifter

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So I put the Bilstein's on back in 2020 and it's been headaches ever since. Took caution to ensure an alignment was done after any adjustments to get the truck where I want it. Currently it's at the TRX/17.5mm setting, which is the first up from stock. I have a slight lean to the rear I'd like to get rid of, but more so I'd like to get rid of the metal on metal squeaking I've been dealing with. Before moving the height down I had the pleasure of discovering the top of the strut had rubbed the threading off on the opening of the

I'd like to say that I did the work myself after watching videos of people do it step-by-step and followed the instructions (which aren't very thorough).

So, if anyone has advice on alignment specs, tips to keep them from shifting (yes everything is torqued to the factory specs) I would greatly appreciate it.
The bolt wasn’t tightened down all the way. Most likely due to the spring not being compressed enough
 
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montgomery1321

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Going to pick up new upper strut mounts now. I got a friend that does mechanical work giving me a hand, and I'm thinking the spring not being compress enough is what the cause was after we took it apart. Tighteninh those things down is tricky without a passthrough socket thank you @Quick_Shifter for pointin that out.
 

Atcer2018

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Out of curiosity are you planning on reusing that strut in the pic? It’s missing six thread twists. In my humble opinion it looks unusable.
 

Quick_Shifter

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Going to pick up new upper strut mounts now. I got a friend that does mechanical work giving me a hand, and I'm thinking the spring not being compress enough is what the cause was after we took it apart. Tighteninh those things down is tricky without a passthrough socket thank you @Quick_Shifter for pointin that out.
51E03D3F-2234-4E64-B308-B0295EFA5DC4.jpeg9E30CBD3-9129-420B-914D-3C45C027E26D.jpeg
 

Quick_Shifter

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I think it looks like you were missing the washer that goes under the strut mount (i.e. top hat). The shaft pushed through the strut mount and that is why the hole in the mount is oval, and the threads are missing and shaft galled.
Negative. The picture I posted were eibach which do not require a washer. Where the threads are clean is where the nut was (protecting those threads) since the nut was not tightened all the way it rubbed the hole in the top had ovaling the hole and allowing the shaft to start passing through. If I had a dollar for the amount of times I’ve seen this I would have retired years ago. The rental spring compressors are made for cars and dont do well compressing truck springs.
It’s not impossible but it’s a very easy mistake to make when it’s your first or second time installing them
 

emjohn4

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Negative. The picture I posted were eibach which do not require a washer. Where the threads are clean is where the nut was (protecting those threads) since the nut was not tightened all the way it rubbed the hole in the top had ovaling the hole and allowing the shaft to start passing through. If I had a dollar for the amount of times I’ve seen this I would have retired years ago. The rental spring compressors are made for cars and dont do well compressing truck springs.
It’s not impossible but it’s a very easy mistake to make when it’s your first or second time installing them
Good clarification - and my mistake. I didn't catch the pic you posted were of the eibachs!
 

Quick_Shifter

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Good clarification - and my mistake. I didn't catch the pic you posted were of the eibachs!
No worries. The eibach and Bilstein are very close to the same. It was just the most recent in my camera roll. We are all here to learn from each other
 

Atcer2018

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The rental spring compressors are made for cars and dont do well compressing truck springs.
It’s not impossible but it’s a very easy mistake to make when it’s your first or second time installing them
No truer words have been spoken! I used four compressors, all in good condition, threads greased and it was a chore to do manually. Have done more than a few cars but my first experience with a truck and it’s an easy mistake to make.
 
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