Rear Bilstein 5100 Torque

I installed Bilstein 5100’s in my rear last night and was wondering how tight they need to be when bolted on top. I saw a video of a guy using different shocks say a good rule of thumb was to tighten until rubber washer expands to size of metal cup. But that seems like a lot when I try that. I read on another forum you tighten it until the washers stop moving and do five full rotations. No literature came with my shocks. Thanks

 

For OEM shocks, there is a low torque rating (like 15lbft or something).

Regardless OEM spec, with shocks and swaybar links, I always have an always will tighten until the washers begin to engage the bushing, and the side wall of the bushing barely begins to curve. If it's curving as much as a parenthesis ((, then it's way too engaged. If it's curving as much as a CC, you aren't gonna have a bushing much longer.

Don't forget if you ever lift the rear in the future, you may likely need to re-evaluate the top nut and how much the bushings are engaged.

 

I just installed mine in rear a few weeks ago. I had also read that about tightening it until it extended to the edges of the metal cup.

maybe that’s true on other shocks or OEM but I agree, there is no way you should tighten those 5100’s until the bushing is the size of that top cap. I don’t even know if you can on those 5100s

Trust shifty (above post). Doesn’t need a lot of torque

 

Here's from the '05-'06 Field Service Manual which isn't your year. But of course, this is for OEM equipment, and is also not for your year. It just goes to show my earlier comment: Not much torque.

Just like with swaybar links or about anything else with a bushing, it's all about how much the bushing is being engaged. Too much engagement will lead to premature wear/failure. Just want the washer just snug on the bushing, starting to engage the bushing. And if you lift the rear later, remember to readjust the shock bushing.

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Thanks guys, I figured they didn’t need to be balls tight and compressed against the cup. Seemed insane. I got them just snug against the cup and washers.