Bilstein 5100 install - tools?
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Bilstein 5100 install - tools?
I’ve decided to go with the 5100s for my level kit. Does anyone have a list of required tools or anything out of the ordinary that’s required? I’ve got a pretty decent set of tools, but not a complete shop by any means. I know I’ll need a 19mm wrench from the install videos I’ve watched.
I don’t want to get halfway into the install and find I’m missing something. I have a 1/2 electric impact and impact sockets and standard wrenches/ratchets. I just don’t have anything real big outside of what I would consider “standard” home average DIY stuff. I’m going to get a second pair of spring compressors - can’t be too safe with those.
I don’t want to get halfway into the install and find I’m missing something. I have a 1/2 electric impact and impact sockets and standard wrenches/ratchets. I just don’t have anything real big outside of what I would consider “standard” home average DIY stuff. I’m going to get a second pair of spring compressors - can’t be too safe with those.
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This video describes the tools and basic process, although they are installing a different brand of shock.
FWIW, after bending two sets of spring compressors, I took both struts to a local repair shop and they compressed the springs and let me swap the shocks, for free. I gave the technician $40 for doing the scary part of the job.
FWIW, after bending two sets of spring compressors, I took both struts to a local repair shop and they compressed the springs and let me swap the shocks, for free. I gave the technician $40 for doing the scary part of the job.
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I’m in the middle of this now. Rent an axle socket set from advance. Then rent two sets of spring compressors. You will also need a breaker bar and torque wrench. It isn’t hard but I found using two sets of spring compressors makes it an easier task. The only local shop that would do the reassembly of the strut for me wanted $125.
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I’ve got the large sockets covered I think with my 1/2” drive set - they go up to 30-something mm. I do need a breaker bar. I was planning on two sets of compressors - good advice. Thanks guys.
edit - are guys disconnecting the battery? I’ve heard horror stories related to the EPAS.
MIDTENN - how’d you make out?
edit - are guys disconnecting the battery? I’ve heard horror stories related to the EPAS.
MIDTENN - how’d you make out?
Last edited by joemomma; Jul 7, 2018 at 10:35 AM.
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I’ve got the large sockets covered I think with my 1/2” drive set - they go up to 30-something mm. I do need a breaker bar. I was planning on two sets of compressors - good advice. Thanks guys.
edit - are guys disconnecting the battery? I’ve heard horror stories related to the EPAS.
MIDTENN - how’d you make out?
edit - are guys disconnecting the battery? I’ve heard horror stories related to the EPAS.
MIDTENN - how’d you make out?
Worked out really well. You may not make this mistake but I did so I figure I’d share. When compressing the OEM strut on the first side, I didn’t compress it enough and the top but just spun. It never did “catch” so I had to drill a bunch of small holes into the nut and bust it off with a chisel. It took hours. On the second side, I made extra sure to compress the springs until the top just pops. It won’t make a loud noise, but kinda pop off. At that point, then begin unscrewing the top nut. It came 80% off before free spinning. I then used a 7mm combination wrench to keep the shaft from spinning.
It’s not a terrible job, just tedious and you have to go slow to make sure you reassemble the strut correctly (as in the plastic thing, the little orange/yellow bump stop, etc.) The drivers side took about 7 hours and the passenger side about 2. If I needed to do it again, I could do a car in an afternoon.
I went to to get mine aligned after and discovered I have broken lower ball joints. While that does suck, taking it out won’t be nearly as daunting.
Good luck.
Last edited by midtenn; Jul 8, 2018 at 01:39 PM.
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Good luck...there's a whole forum here.
Something I'd consider while I had the truck apart is replacing the upper ball joint. If you had, say 150K miles plus on it...I'd certainly lean that way because you'd already have everything you need taken apart already. While it would be premature....just something to consider since they aren't super expensive and it's only a couple bolts once you get the strut out.
Something I'd consider while I had the truck apart is replacing the upper ball joint. If you had, say 150K miles plus on it...I'd certainly lean that way because you'd already have everything you need taken apart already. While it would be premature....just something to consider since they aren't super expensive and it's only a couple bolts once you get the strut out.
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Thanks - truck only has 24K on it, so hopefully it isn't shot yet! I'll certainly check it for play while I'm in there.
Did you disconnect your battery while you were doing the install? I've seen some do it and some don't, I just don't want to mess up the EPAS.
What about the axle nut? I've seen a couple videos (I think it was Stage3's) where they take the axle nut off, but none of the CJ videos do it. There was another one I watched where they didn't remove it either. I'm guessing they are doing that for more droop?
Did you disconnect your battery while you were doing the install? I've seen some do it and some don't, I just don't want to mess up the EPAS.
What about the axle nut? I've seen a couple videos (I think it was Stage3's) where they take the axle nut off, but none of the CJ videos do it. There was another one I watched where they didn't remove it either. I'm guessing they are doing that for more droop?
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Thanks - truck only has 24K on it, so hopefully it isn't shot yet! I'll certainly check it for play while I'm in there.
Did you disconnect your battery while you were doing the install? I've seen some do it and some don't, I just don't want to mess up the EPAS.
What about the axle nut? I've seen a couple videos (I think it was Stage3's) where they take the axle nut off, but none of the CJ videos do it. There was another one I watched where they didn't remove it either. I'm guessing they are doing that for more droop?
Did you disconnect your battery while you were doing the install? I've seen some do it and some don't, I just don't want to mess up the EPAS.
What about the axle nut? I've seen a couple videos (I think it was Stage3's) where they take the axle nut off, but none of the CJ videos do it. There was another one I watched where they didn't remove it either. I'm guessing they are doing that for more droop?