Surprised how different Bilsteins are to install

[jimh406]

I'm shocked how different Bilstein 4600s are to install compared to Rancho 9000s. Bilsteins are a lot harder to compress.

I got them on though. Used the air bags on the back even though they were strapped in a compressed form, and zip tied then compressed on the front.

Time will tell if it is an upgrade or not.

[twodownzero]

JoeChiOhki wrote:
Last time I did mine, I simply attached the upper half then jacked the truck's frame up to stretch the suspension out till it the shock wasn't too far from where it slipped on the pin.

That's what I was thinking. Just put the jack under the trailer hitch and let the suspension hang.

[JoeChiOhki]

Last time I did mine, I simply attached the upper half then jacked the truck's frame up to stretch the suspension out till it the shock wasn't too far from where it slipped on the pin.

[Joe417]

I had a similar issue installing some Monroe shocks on an S10. They were heavily spring loaded(maybe to augment the springs). I think I used Erwin hand clamps to squeeze them into position.

I installed RS5000s a couple of weeks ago on our 2500HD. They were spring loaded but only lightly. Pushed them easily into place by hand. (I know - the 9000s are the talk of the town, but I make decision on what "I" think I need)

Comparing them to the factory shock by hand(with 66000 miles on them), they felt about the same. Not sure if they will be any improvement over the factory hardware.

They were a bit larger in diameter.

Hope that I didn't pay extra money only for cute red boots.

[Golden_HVAC]

Hi,

When I installed mine, I had to use a floor jack to bring the end of the shock up to the point where I could get the second bolt in place. I don't recall it being to difficult. This was on a F-53 with leveling jacks. I guess that I might have been able to use the leveling jacks to bring up that side of the RV to a point that the shock would fit without compressing it.

I know that the factory shocks came off without a problem. They compressed as easy as a accordion!

HAve fun camping!

Fred.

[jimh406]

In my case, even the shocks with the factory strap for the rear were too long with the strap on them. The front fronts didn't come with straps. I suppose dude to the mount type.

[othertonka]

My experience was to not cut the strap until I had one end of the shock in it's mount and then pointed the other end of the shock towards the other mount, then I cut the strap and as the shock expanded, I guided the shock into the other mount. Then installed the nuts and/or bolts and the job was done. yes the shocks are real hard to compress, that's why I had the shock in one mount before cutting the strap. Worked for me.