With all the info here, I could not find a definitive answer. I am installing the Bilsteins 5100’s today. Well I read here two ways to do it. The traditional way like you see in all the videos and another way where you remove the lower control arms. Does anyone know which way is easier? I will be doing this in my driveway. Also read doing it by removing the LCA you need to mark something down there. But not sure what or why

 

do an internet search and follow it on video on a laptop while doing the job. Watch the video a couple times before starting the job. Make sure you have the right tools! Most folks don't remove the lower control arms it's just extra work. There are good videos by professionals showing you how. on your model truck and unless you have something other than a stock truck is should work. good luck

 

So I did it the way most of the videos out there show to do it. Only thing was I did not finish before dark, now the truck is half way together. I do have one issue I am trying to resolve and come up with a plan, any advice would be helpful. One of the struts the center bolt will not tighten down, fear it may be cross threaded. It has stopped right at the nylon lock part. The strut is in the truck. I am thinking I can lift up on the lower control arm to raise the center bolt enough to get a tool on it. Anyone know if this is possible?

 

What center bolt are you talking about? Do you mean when the strut/shock assemble is out of the truck in your vise and the spring is compressed you can't get that center top nut to tighten?

 

The top center bolt from th strut itself

 

Did you compress the spring far enough? When I did mine I had a little trouble starting that nut on both sides and I ended up cranking down on the spring till I had enough threads to get it started...

 

If I was you I would pull the strut/spring assembly out of the truck and work on it on your work bench. Don't try to tighten it while it's mounted to the truck, you can't see what your doing...

 

Yeah I am pretty sure it’s going to boil down to that. Not to far into the install just to take it back out. Hating those spring compressors though, no trust in them

 

I used 3 per spring to compress them, they are a little shady but they work. Just keep an eye on them and you should be alright.

 

Check the threads on the top post of that shock. Clean them up with a thread die if you have to before you run that nut down on it again. May need to clean up the nut with a tap, too.