Bilstein 5100

[cnim19904]

Hey all new ram owner here, just leveled my 2020 classic with Bilstein set to the second highest setting and now noticing my driver front sits lower than passenger? Gonna wait a little to see if the one side settles after driving a bit, but is this normal?

 

[GeauxinUp]

Are you sure they're set the same? Maybe it's just the angle of the pics, but...

 

[cnim19904]

Are you sure they're set the same? Maybe it's just the angle of the pics, but...
View attachment 581939View attachment 581940

I think it's just the angle I wasnt gonna lay on the wet ground at the time of pic, originally dropped them off at the shop set to 2.8 they definitely moved them down a notch though

 

[CanuckRam1313]

I've had the 5100's in two trucks so far and had them set to the 2.1" raised setting (so I didn't need to replace the UCA's by going to the highest setting), and it's been an even level across the board with both trucks.

Once you can get under and check them, ensure they are both set the same.

If after checking underneath you find everything was set properly and it's still not level on both sides, then perhaps a factory spring is spongy/cracked, or a bushing is off center and/or worn somewhere in the front end suspension/control arms, etc.

 

[cnim19904]

I've had the 5100's in two trucks so far and had them set to the 2.1" raised setting (so I didn't need to replace the UCA's by going to the highest setting), and it's been an even level across the board with both trucks.

Once you can get under and check them, ensure they are both set the same.

If after checking underneath you find everything was set properly and it's still not level on both sides, then perhaps a factory spring is spongy/cracked, or a bushing is off center and/or worn somewhere in the front end suspension/control arms,

I've had the 5100's in two trucks so far and had them set to the 2.1" raised setting (so I didn't need to replace the UCA's by going to the highest setting), and it's been an even level across the board with both trucks.

Once you can get under and check them, ensure they are both set the same.

If after checking underneath you find everything was set properly and it's still not level on both sides, then perhaps a factory spring is spongy/cracked, or a bushing is off center and/or worn somewhere in the front end suspension/control arms, etc.

I can't imagine the springs be bad or going bad this early, truck only has 76k miles and rode smooth before and after. But I'm planning to pull it out to flatter ground and get measurements later today so I will check it all over

 

[Curmudgeon]

@cnim19904 If it comes down to it, one of our folks here is a ceritifed Ram genius and has a shop just south of Philly. You could consider taking it to him. Extremely knowledgeable, extremely experienced, Ram owner, etc.
I'm making a guess about your username.
You could start with a PM, see what he says.

@Quick_Shifter

EDIT: How far off are the 2 sides and did you measure before making any changes? Some (maybe many?) have noticed their trucks sit lower on the driver's side with everything stock. I can't recall seeing why that is.

 

[cnim19904]

@cnim19904 If it comes down to it, one of our folks here is a ceritifed Ram genius and has a shop just south of Philly. You could consider taking it to him. Extremely knowledgeable, extremely experienced, Ram owner, etc.
I'm making a guess about your username.
You could start with a PM, see what he says.

@Quick_Shifter

EDIT: How far off are the 2 sides and did you measure before making any changes? Some (maybe many?) have noticed their trucks sit lower on the driver's side with everything stock. I can't recall seeing why that is.

I didn't measure before install like an idiot, but counted from the bottom up on both sides they're both set to the 4th ring clip. Both coils look identical in spacing as well so I assume springs are still good too. Wish I didn't live in this state we can't go over a certain height for lift otherwise I'd have got a full lift

 

[Quick_Shifter]

Hey all new ram owner here, just leveled my 2020 classic with Bilstein set to the second highest setting and now noticing my driver front sits lower than passenger? Gonna wait a little to see if the one side settles after driving a bit, but is this normal?

Drivers side is good passenger side the spring is clocked wrong. The spring perch should look like a mirror to the drivers side. Also more times than I can count since this are truck springs and not car springs if the top nut wasn’t torqued with the spring compressed enough you’ll develop a bird chirping noise and will need another set of 5100’s to start all over again.
As to your settling theory the springs you re-used have already settled 74k miles ago.

 

[cnim19904]

Drivers side is good passenger side the spring is clocked wrong. The spring perch should look like a mirror to the drivers side. Also more times than I can count since this are truck springs and not car springs if the top nut wasn’t torqued with the spring compressed enough you’ll develop a bird chirping noise and will need another set of 5100’s to start all over again.
As to your settling theory the springs you re-used have already settled 74k miles ago.

When the weather starts getting good around me again and I have a weekend free I'll definitely tear it apart myself and turn the spring perch to mirror the driver side. From the looks of it the end of the coil should be facing the direction inwards towards the engine bay correct?

 

[Quick_Shifter]

When the weather starts getting good around me again and I have a weekend free I'll definitely tear it apart myself and turn the spring perch to mirror the driver side. From the looks of it the end of the coil should be facing the direction inwards towards the engine bay correct?

Yes that will allow the spring to sit where it was from factory and avoid spring bow
Again you need a professional grade spring compressor the threaded ones don’t have the force to torque the top bolt properly

 

[cnim19904]

Yes that will allow the spring to sit where it was from factory and avoid spring bow
Again you need a professional grade spring compressor the threaded ones don’t have the force to torque the top bolt properly

Any recommendations for spring compressor? Them suicide sticks never say well in my mind lol

 

[CanuckRam1313]

Any recommendations for spring compressor? Them suicide sticks never say well in my mind lol

You are braver than I, good sir.

I have wrenched for many years, and back in the day I used the "newfie" spring/strut compressor a few times, and whoever or whatever up there was watching me every time, because there were waaayyyy toooo many "hold my beer & watch this" moments in the shop

Some things (for me personally) are left to the professionals, and springs on struts is one of them
I'll tackle an engine overhaul, but I won't deal with re & re springs on front struts.

Anyhoooo.... keep us posted (and pics) on how the front end settles after you adjust accordingly.

 

[cdarwin22]

You are braver than I, good sir.

I have wrenched for many years, and back in the day I used the "newfie" spring/strut compressor a few times, and whoever or whatever up there was watching me every time, because there were waaayyyy toooo many "hold my beer & watch this" moments in the shop

Some things (for me personally) are left to the professionals, and springs on struts is one of them
I'll tackle an engine overhaul, but I won't deal with re & re springs on front struts.

Anyhoooo.... keep us posted (and pics) on how the front end settles after you adjust accordingly.

Sorry to bump an older thread but this is a topic I am currently trying to decide on. I need new tires (badly). I am riding stock style tires currently but would like a bigger tire. However, I also would like to level my front end.

I am torn between just throwing in those 2" spacers or adding the Bilstein 5100 front set only. Just the Bilstein are not terribly expensive. However, the ones with springs on them are $750+ based on quick research. More than I care to spend. Question is: Is it common/reasonable to ask a mechanic to bolt them onto my stock springs for me (for a fee)? Or would they just tell me to get bent?

Completing the rest of the install seems otherwise very doable. And I think I'd rather do the level prior to getting new tires so I know exactly what size I can go to with the tires.

 

[GeauxinUp]

Sorry to bump an older thread but this is a topic I am currently trying to decide on. I need new tires (badly). I am riding stock style tires currently but would like a bigger tire. However, I also would like to level my front end.

I am torn between just throwing in those 2" spacers or adding the Bilstein 5100 front set only. Just the Bilstein are not terribly expensive. However, the ones with springs on them are $750+ based on quick research. More than I care to spend. Question is: Is it common/reasonable to ask a mechanic to bolt them onto my stock springs for me (for a fee)? Or would they just tell me to get bent?

Completing the rest of the install seems otherwise very doable. And I think I'd rather do the level prior to getting new tires so I know exactly what size I can go to with the tires.

Either choice is basically the same labor.

 

[cdarwin22]

Either choice is basically the same labor.

I understand that, I just can’t buy the ones with the springs on them (double the cost). And I don't own a spring press. So, is there somewhere I can take the new Bilstein shocks and have them attach them to springs once I get them removed from my truck? Or is that something that would make a mechanic tell me to "get lost"?

 

[GeauxinUp]

I understand that, I just can’t buy the ones with the springs on them (double the cost). And I don't own a spring press. So, is there somewhere I can take the new Bilstein shocks and have them attach them to springs once I get them removed from my truck? Or is that something that would make a mechanic tell me to "get lost"?

Yeah, I'd actually look at whatever alignment shop you're planning to use (you'll need an alignment if you didn't know), and see if they'll cut you a deal to swap springs for you. Most alignment shops will have a spring press specifically for this.