Bilstein 4600 strut & spring assembly?

[kad]

Anyone know if it's possible to buy Bilstein 4600 fronts (4x4) preinstalled in the spring for those of us without the tools to safely insert/remove them from the springs? And if so, where from?

-K

 

[RamRoy]

I have known people to take the shock to a shop and have them installed into the strut. May save on cost since you will be doing the rest yourself. I have also heard that you can rent a spring compressor at the autoparts store, but was told to be careful; it can be dangerous.

What is the difference in the 4600 and 5100 if you don't mind me asking

 

[kad]

I have known people to take the shock to a shop and have them installed into the strut. May save on cost since you will be doing the rest yourself.

I've considered that but I wanted to see how much it would be to just get them with springs pre-installed.

I have also heard that you can rent a spring compressor at the autoparts store, but was told to be careful; it can be dangerous.

Yes, you can, but dangerous is an understatment. You couldn't pay me to use one of those things.

What is the difference in the 4600 and 5100 if you don't mind me asking

Well, if what I've read is correct, the 4600's are straight replacements for the stock units. The 5100's are height adjustable.

-K

 

[RamRoy]

Thanks for the input. I need to replace my front shocks. I may go with the 4600 if my truck measures to be level. If not, I will go the 5100 route.

I agree with the spring compressor, let someone else do it

 

[DannyMK2]

bilstein doesnt sell their 4600 shocks as a loaded assembly.

 

[jasonw]

bilstein doesnt sell their 4600 shocks as a loaded assembly.

+1. I opted for the 4600s myself, as I have no desire to lift the truck.

I used two spring compressors at a time, per coil spring. Two reasons, one, they help each other, so all the load is not on just one. Two, if one fails, the other is there. I believe many manuals tell you to do it this way.

I had to buy a good grinder to cut off the top shock bolts, as they were seized on there. Stripped out the factory threads trying to get them off, no amount of rust-killer or penatrent would bulge them. After struggling with the first one for hours, it was quite satisfying to simply take a large cutting wheel and chop the stupid nut into pieces. Luckily, I had planned for this contingency, and had also bought two new upper strut mounts. I didn't have to worry about preserving the factory upper mounts, which are easily damaged when trying to cut off the recessed nut.

Pre-assembled struts/springs would have been easier, but definitely not cheaper. I drooled over the Fox assemblies for a while, but when you can buy all four Bilsteins for the price of one Fox assembly... I made the economical choice.

 

[Danno]

A spring compressor isn't dangerous, the person using it is. You can use wire rope, zip ties and other items to make the tool safe.