Any tricks for keeping new shocks compressed for install?

[gonemad]

2025 Rubicon JT

I just received four new Bilstein 5100’s from Extreme Terrain. Boxes had been opened, no sweat, they’re just shocks, but three of the four nylon tie straps were missing that keep the shocks compressed for installation. I’m doing this on the garage floor.

Thanks in advance.

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[ChrisNLA]

I keep a few packs of these in my truck for all sorts of emergencies. I also used them to hold shocks compressed before.

https://www.harborfreight.com/24-in-uv-resistant-black-cable-ties-10-pack-62720.html

Longer ones:

https://www.harborfreight.com/36-in-heavy-duty-hvac-cable-ties-25-pack-71157.html

 

[D_JT]

install the top side and then push like hell to compress it and then install the bottom bolt. I've done this method several times. Or a floor jack.

 

[gonemad]

I keep a few packs of these in my truck for all sorts of emergencies. I also used them to hold shocks compressed before.

https://www.harborfreight.com/24-in-uv-resistant-black-cable-ties-10-pack-62720.html

Longer ones:

https://www.harborfreight.com/36-in-heavy-duty-hvac-cable-ties-25-pack-71157.html

Outtanding. I keep shorter ones in the saddle bags of my bike. I’ll head over to Harbor Freight now. Two 36” zip ties will be long enough.

Thanks much!

 

[gonemad]

install the top side and then push like hell to compress it and then install the bottom bolt. I've done this method several times.

Thanks. I tried that. Even with a hydraulic floor jack I’m not strong enough to get them off the jack and into place once compressed.

I’m 70 and my old shoulders can’t stand what they could when I wrenched as a teen at Sears in the 70’s. I’m going to default to the tie strap solution @ChrisNLA posted above. They aren’t hard to compress off the Jeep.

 

[ChrisNLA]

Thanks. I tried that. Even with a hydraulic floor jack I’m not strong enough to get them off the jack and into place once compressed.

I’m 70 and my old shoulders can’t stand what they could when I wrenched as a teen at Sears in the 70’s. I’m going to default to the tie strap solution @ChrisNLA posted above. They aren’t hard to compress off the Jeep.

Hell I'm 37 and couldn't press my 5100's into place with the room I had - but I could cram them down while standing over them and frantically zip tie them

The fun part is cutting the ties and trying to shove the bolt in quick before the eye passes the hole.

 

[gonemad]

Hell I'm 37 and couldn't press my 5100's into place with the room I had - but I could cram them down while standing over them and frantically zip tie them

The fun part is cutting the ties and trying to shove the bolt in quick before the eye passes the hole.

I have a plan.

And will execute it once I return from Horror Freight. I will report back later.

 

[Casique]

Use cargo straps!

 

[rharr]

you can use a taper punch to push into the bottom holes while shock is extending to align the shock hole, then back out the punch and insert the bolt at the same time and/or use the tip of the punch to pry things around to make alignment.

or zip ties that don't go through the shock eyes compressing the shock at a length that allows you to jack up the axle to align the bottom bolt holes then cut zip ties.

 

[MSFTMatt]

My technique is jack the truck up and get as much droop as possible then use a bottle jack to compress the shock. The pad of the jack is small enough that if you put edge of shock on edge of pad you can ‘slide’ the shock into the cradle with a round pry bar to line up holes then tap the bolt in to push the bar out.

 

[Zachanadandy]

Hell I'm 37 and couldn't press my 5100's into place with the room I had - but I could cram them down while standing over them and frantically zip tie them

The fun part is cutting the ties and trying to shove the bolt in quick before the eye passes the hole.

A big flathead screwdriver or small pry bar horizontal in the bottom of the shock mount will let you pry it up for easy bolt install and it helps catch the shock as it extends.

 

[ChrisNLA]

A big flathead screwdriver or small pry bar horizontal in the bottom of the shock mount will let you pry it up for easy bolt install and it helps catch the shock as it extends.

Don't go bringing sensible solutions to this party.

I even have the perfect mini prybar in my tool roll for this sorcery.

Just didn't think of it

 

[MPMB]

Kidding.

Is the truck on jack stands? If you let the suspension hang far enough, you should be able to put them in without problem.

Disconnect the swaybar mounts front and rear.

Or, if not on stands, jack up one side of the truck and put jackstands under for safety, pull the tires and pull the shock(s). Put in the new ones.

If no jack and doing it the hard way, then yeah, compress them fully and use big zip ties.

 

[TheOpa]

A big flathead screwdriver or small pry bar horizontal in the bottom of the shock mount will let you pry it up for easy bolt install and it helps catch the shock as it extends.

Be mindful of the bolt threads!

 

[antihero23]

Eat your Wheaties!

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