Bilstein Toubles

[rcazwillis]

Which way does the lower spring perch go on the strut. I think I put mine on upside down.

Edit:
Yep, upside down. No wonder the front was way too tall. Damn, have to take it apart for a fourth time. I am not that dumb!

 

[Beauregard7765]

lol well now you should be an expert in taking apart your front suspension

 

[rcazwillis]

Oh, I am. I know exactly which tools by size! Tonight will be the fourth, yes four, time I have taken it apart. Shooting for less than 2 hours total tonight. That is from wheels on the ground to wheels back on the ground. Includes taking the struts down to bare bones.

I am not a noob, but I am starting to think I am a dumb @$$.

 

[arod412]

Haha...be proud that at least you know your mistake and your gonna fix it yourself. I'm on the same boat as you...figuring **** out along the way with my mods...lol

Truck name: Rampage
2012 Dodge ram 1500 Quad Cab Big Horn 4x4

*Bilstein 2.8" front
*Bilstein shocks on rear with 1" spacer
*Pioneer AVH 4300DVD head unit
*Polk Audio Dxi350 dash speakers
*Kicker 40CSS654 6 1/2" door speakers (x4)
*fox box 2-12" speakers holder for rear seats
*2-12" alpine subs (swe -1243l
*500 watt alpine mono sub
*LED 3rd tail light smoked
*Spyder LED smokes tail lights
havent even started on the engine..lol

 

[tripower]

Oh, I am. I know exactly which tools by size! Tonight will be the fourth, yes four, time I have taken it apart. Shooting for less than 2 hours total tonight. That is from wheels on the ground to wheels back on the ground. Includes taking the struts down to bare bones.

I am not a noob, but I am starting to think I am a dumb @$$.

You aren't the only one. This week I installed Rancho QLLs, got the truck aligned, found out they don't lift enough for me, removed them, then installed Bilsteins. All in 2 days!

Why 4 times? I only count two for you!

 

[rcazwillis]

I did not list the other two times where I was trying to figure out why it was so tall!!! Took 1.5 hours start to finish the fourth time. NEW RECORD!

Edit: Tips:
Put a heat gun on knuckle for the top ball joint for a coule of minutes. The heat will expand the aluminum and let the joint come apart much easier.
Get the Craftsman Universial Max Axess Set. It will come in very handy. Especially been taking the top nut off the strut and putting it back on. Best $65 on tools spent.
Take the top nut, washer, and rubber off the sway bar end link. This is easy and lets the lower control arm move.
Take the caliper loose from the bracket and set it in the lower control arm towards the frame. It will set there out of the way and not pull on the hose.
Set the tie rod on top of the sway bar. Stays out of the way.
Leave one of the three nuts on the bolts passing through the frame at the top until you get the lower part of the strut clear of the lower control arm. It supports the strut weight but lets it move around.