pfbz

I have a set of Bilstein 5100's installed on my truck, position 2 preload (.75" lift). Been working great for several years... Now I want to put on larger tires and increase the pre-load to maximum.

Has anyone successfully adjusted the preload with the coilovers on the truck? I know they are intended to be removed before adjusting, but it seems like if I drooped the front suspension, and maybe put a spring compressor on the spring it would loosen up enough to pull out the circlip and re-install it in the maximum preload position, but thought I'd check to see if anyone has tried this before.

paintballdude05

I'm kind interested to know the answer to this as well. I installed a set on my truck last weekend that were already assembled buy on the lowest clip (stock preload). When I went to try and adjust the springs prior to install my cheap spring compressors started to bend really bad before I could even get the spring loose. With that said, make sure you have a half decent set of compressors if you even want to attempt it.

captian_insano

I just installed my set today, and can say for certain that while you could try and attempt it, there's no way you could get enough height out of it to be able to adjust it, the way the lower spring perch drops below where the clip for adjusting height is way too in there. If you wanna take it up a notch or two, your gonna have to rip it apart, which in all honesty isn't that hard really.

mlheck

iTrader: (1)

It takes 3 spring compressors to compress the spring enough off of the truck to move the clip. Ain't going to happen while on the truck.

pfbz

Getting mixed reviews on this... Have also been told it can be done on the truck, but perhaps it isn't worth the effort?

captian_insano

Trust me guy, it CANNOT be done on the vehicle, I don't care what technowizardry you hear about being able to do it, unfortunalty here's just no way, I absolutely guarentee it.

mlheck

iTrader: (1)

+1 on this. It's a pain in the a## off of the truck. No way you can do it on the truck. Now if losing a couple of fingers doesn't bother you, than you may be able to rig up some kind of tool to make it work.

Neptunescab

If you really tried it could be plausible however it would probably take more time and effort than to just rip apart your front suspension and you could easily loose a finger in the process as stated

pfbz

Good enough. Off the truck it is. Not all that hard to pull the front struts, but it's kind of stupid they didn't design it to be adjusted on the vehicle like virtually every other coil-over out there...

Daniejw

Nvrmnd