Bilstein 5100 Install...Need Help!!

Hey all, had my 2015 Tundra in the mechanic shop this morning to have my 5100's installed. Using a 2000 pound spring compressor he was unable to get the ring off the stock setting on the shock. But he went ahead and installed them anyway at what supposedly was to be stock height. Also said that there was a lot of tension on the coils with this shock. I pick my truck up and it's up in the front about 4 inches (much higher than the back) without setting the ring in the proper position.... Please help!

 

Wouldnt you want to take it back and have him do it right?

Was this a guy named Bob and he had you park it in his back yard or something?

 

The snap ring position is set with the coil off. If he assembled the shocks (adding the coil and top hat) and then tried to adjust the snap ring, it does not sound like he knew how to do this. If you are getting 4" of lift from the lowest setting then likely the spring perch was installed upside down.

 

If there is a lot of tension, there is a good chance that the lower spring seat is upside down. 4 Wheel Parts did that on one of my 4Runners once. The spring seat should be easy to move. The spring must be off the shock to move it.

 

find a reputable shop that knows what they are doing.

 

Make sure it doesn't look like this.

 

I dont think he's sure on what to do. He's the only mechanic in the area.

 

Yes! I just checked and the spring seat is upside down. Would this be the reason I'm getting the 4 inch lift from the stock setting?

 

Yes - this is why the lift is so high. Also, all weight of the truck is resting on the snap ring. Your mechanic needs to remove the shocks asap, disassemble them and flip the perch to the correct position.

 

Ok I'll get that done right away...thanks you!!

 

Exactly my friend. Good luck.

 

Yep. That's it. 4Wheel Parts, supposedly a Bilstein approved installer, did that to a 4Runner of mine.

 

WTF... damn hard to believe....

 

That's why I do my own now. 4Wheel Parts did that too my 4Runner once. I took it back & complained. The installer wasn't there that day. They made me come back when he was there. Then he argued with me. Had to get the service manager to look & he made him do it over. 3 trips total. Time off from work. No apologies. Never done any business with them since.

 

This is some of 4Wheel Parts work.

1st pic is the wrong way. see how the spring is curved?