Rattle issue with bilstein at 2.1

[lukedukem]

I tried searching but only came up with an older thread. But I just put on my leveling kit this weekend and when I drive to work it was fine, I didn't notice anything. But driving to lunch I can hear a rattle from passenger side front. My brother helped me verify it while on the way to drop it off for alignment. The guy said he didn't see anything loose. But it still does it. It doesn't do it on little bumps. But medium and on up. Not sure we're to start looking. I was going to go get tires, but I might head home and throw it back on the lift and re check all nuts. Although I did that twice after the install. The only ones I can't get too is the one on top of spring, that needs an Alan wrench to tighten. Any help is appreciated

Lule

 

[lukedukem]

Here's a pic so you know it happened. Lol

Luke

 

[sbuko213]

Did you mess with your control arms and/or tie rods? I had a solid rattle in my steering and over bumps. The control arms were flopping when I checked and my tie rod nuts were almost off.

 

[R.L.K.]

Check out my install post on this link . I believe it's #26 ?
Look at the important message about the washer placement , and how I installed the top nut with an elect impact.

Hope this helps !


http://www.ramforum.com/showthread.php?t=79370

Alright guys.. BILSTEINS post your pics!!!

 

[brandonjansen]

What RLK said above ^^. Where did you put the washer when you assembled the Bilsteins. If it's up against the nut on top of the upper spring hardware that's incorrect and likely what your issue is. The washer needs to go on the shock rod BEFORE the upper spring hardware goes on.

 

[lukedukem]

I think your right. Now I have to disassemble it all again. Doh!
Unless, it's something else. But I remember putting the washer on top then nut. Not washer, housing, then nut. But I can only tell one side. I'll listen again. Is it bad to get tires then. And will I need another alignment. Can I drive it like this.
Do I need a new lock nut
Luke

 

[AustinB]

You wont know what you need until you look at it. Though that nut may be the problem, I doubt it is. (Lets hope it is though) mine is also on incorrectly without any issues so far. I believe that problem would occur after it being on there like that for a long enough period of time that the nut wears out the hole, on top of the plate. Again, hope thats it, or something more simple like the tie rods or something. Just check every thing you loosened up but that nut. Then try it out. Either way, you need to correct the nut issue.


IMO

 

[R.L.K.]

You wont know what you need until you look at it. Though that nut may be the problem, I doubt it is. (Lets hope it is though) mine is also on incorrectly without any issues so far. I believe that problem would occur after it being on there like that for a long enough period of time that the nut wears out the hole, on top of the plate. Again, hope thats it, or something more simple like the tie rods or something. Just check every thing you loosened up but that nut. Then try it out. Either way, you need to correct the nut issue.


IMO

Hey buddy , just to clarify things . The nut is not the issue here , and the nut will not wear a hole in the top , the issue is the placement of the washer .

The washer is supposed to be installed under the threads on the top of the piston , then install the upper spring housing assy , and then the top nut last .

The reason for the washer placement is because the Pistons diameter is slightly smaller in diameter that the oem shock assy diameter, the washer makes the bilsteins piston the same diameter on top as the oem shock .
If this is not done properly the smaller diameter bilstein shock piston will eventually wear through the upper spring housing assy.


Read the notes !

 

[AustinB]

Replace every time I said "nut" with "washer".. Is what I meant. Good catch, I was saying the same exact thing, but I do believe you explained it much better.


IMO

 

[lukedukem]

Thanks for the help guys. I will finish up this morning and see if it helped. I'm pretty sure it is the cause. I'll report back

Luke

 

[R.L.K.]

replace every time i said "nut" with "washer".. Is what i meant. Good catch, i was saying the same exact thing, but i do believe you explained it much better.


Imo

lol !

 

[smoothee]

I'm living proof that the washer placed incorrectly can and will destroy the Bilstein and/or top mount. Weird that I never did have a rattle though. One of the many reasons I work on my own **** now!

 

[R.L.K.]

I'm living proof that the washer placed incorrectly can and will destroy the Bilstein and/or top mount. Weird that I never did have a rattle though. One of the many reasons I work on my own **** now!

I was hoping you would post to verify !

 

[smoothee]

I was hoping you would post to verify !

Getting around to checking out the other side today (have to replace the ****** Rough Country strut spacers anyway). Hope you guys are putting anti seize on the lower strut bolt, have had to cut out both sides and replace the bushings.

 

[lukedukem]

Ok guys, rattle is gone. I'm thinking it could've also been that I didn't tighten that top nut good enough either. That thing is a *****, how did y'all do that one. Does that make sense. Anyway. I'm getting my BFG all terrains right now. And the alignment guy said I should be ok, since I didn't change the height of the shock.

Luke

 

[R.L.K.]

Ok guys, rattle is gone. I'm thinking it could've also been that I didn't tighten that top nut good enough either. That thing is a *****, how did y'all do that one. Does that make sense. Anyway. I'm getting my BFG all terrains right now. And the alignment guy said I should be ok, since I didn't change the height of the shock.

Luke

I only used an electric impact , no Allen wrench required for me 2 seconds and done !

 

[AustinB]

I only used an electric impact , no Allen wrench required for me 2 seconds and done !

Same here, after doing the first one with an allen key. I used air impact gun though


IMO

 

[AustinB]

It was funny actually.. Because all the guys in the shop were scared and hiding behind ****.. Because I had the spring so compressed when I went to fix my upside down plate, and this was in a floor mounted spring compressor. *******.


IMO

 

[WrappedNotDipped]

I'm having his same problem too. ***** annoying when I go over speed bumps or any little bump my truck makes this rattle and high pitch noise when I have the windows down! So I'm guess maybe they installed the bilsteins wrong? And for them to check they wanna charge me full price of the installation again. Smh so I have to dish out 250 just to see if it's right or not

 

[AustinB]

Just do it yourself. Worst case.. If you're not comfortable disassembling the strut... Just take it out and look at it for free. If the "washer" isn't in the right spot, take them to a shop and have them fix it. If they installed them improperly, they better fix it for free.


IMO