bilstein 8100 shocks fully extended help !

[kennyglm]

so i am changing my shocks and bought new ones and they came fully extended. Does anybody know how to compress the shock enough to install them. There pretty much impossible for me to compress by hand underneath the gladiator. A floor jack kinda works but not really , i am sure someone has a trick i can try.

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[rharr]

ratchet strap to compress, then a 250lb ziptie thru the bottom hole and what ever top perch you can get the zip tie to hold on to keep the shock compressed while you remove the ratchet strap and still allow the top hole to bolt up.

Then you cut the zip tie with dikes and try to aim the bottom of the shock into the bottom mount while it extends.

 

[kennyglm]

ratchet strap to compress, then a 250lb ziptie thru the bottom hole and what ever top perch you can get the zip tie to hold on to keep the shock compressed while you remove the ratchet strap and still allow the top hole to bolt up.

Then you cut the zip tie with dikes and try to aim the bottom of the shock into the bottom mount while it extends.

i will have to try the ratchet straps. thanks

 

[chr15m]

Can you not lower the axle enough?

 

[kennyglm]

Can you not lower the axle enough?

no i tried . I am about 2 inches shy

 

[chr15m]

no i tried . I am about 2 inches shy

Bummer, assuming you've also tried unbolting the rear track bar as well, that sucks.

When I took the Mojave lower thru bolt out I had to mount the top and then press it pretty damn hard to get it up enough to put in the lower mount flange.

Cam strap or rachet might work, just not sure how you'd get it out once its mounted.

Good luck

 

[kennyglm]

Bummer, assuming you've also tried unbolting the rear track bar as well, that sucks.

When I took the Mojave lower thru bolt out I had to mount the top and then press it pretty damn hard to get it up enough to put in the lower mount flange.

Cam strap or rachet might work, just not sure how you'd get it out once its mounted.

Good luck

Thanks . I got the back done but I still have to do the front yet . After the headache with the back it can sit a few days till I feel like doing the front

 

[Thunderspud]

Cam strap or rachet might work, just not sure how you'd get it out once its mounted.

This is what the previously mentioned heavy-duty zip tie is for. The Mopar lift kits with the Bilstein shocks come like this from the factory, at least all mine have.

 

[Badunit]

Ratchet strap and leave it on while installing. You can use the ratchet to adjust the length to get the lower bolt/hole to line up perfectly (after putting in the upper bolt of course).

I put the strap on with the shock uninstalled.

 

[Stan H]

so i am changing my shocks and bought new ones and they came fully extended. Does anybody know how to compress the shock enough to install them. There pretty much impossible for me to compress by hand underneath the gladiator. A floor jack kinda works but not really , i am sure someone has a trick i can try.

Put the top bolt in the shocks then take a floor jack and a shop rag on it now jack the shock straight up. Have your other bolt ready let off a tiny bit at a time when it gets to the correct length slide the jack over insert bolt.
2nd method use a Crack strap wrapped around the entire shock crank it down. To correct length insert bolts take strap off.

 

[Stan H]

no i tried . I am about 2 inches shy

Jack the shock several inches above where it will go stick the shaft into the slot where the bolt goes let off a little bit at a time with the bolt in hand and stick the bolt in.

 

[chr15m]

This is what the previously mentioned heavy-duty zip tie is for. The Mopar lift kits with the Bilstein shocks come like this from the factory, at least all mine have.

Of course, typically most shocks come that way, lest they punch holes in boxes.

 

[NewGladdyOWNR]

They will absolutely compress by hand. The first few inches are the hardest (giggity), then it gets easier. I’ve done it multiple times. Also, if by hand is not an option, take the piston end and put it on the ground and put your body weight into it and press down, then figure out a way to keep it down.

Edit: If you’re doing it be hand, make sure the top of the shock is bolted to the shock mount, lay on the ground underneath the piston end and use both hands to push up., then line it up with the bottom mounting point etc.

 

[Idlethunder]

Ratchet strap and leave it on while installing. You can use the ratchet to adjust the length to get the lower bolt/hole to line up perfectly (after putting in the upper bolt of course).

I put the strap on with the shock uninstalled.

This is the way I did it when installing Eibachs. Worked well

 

[MSFTMatt]

I used bottle Jack. Bolted top in the jacked up bottom till I could maneuver into bottom slot and used a small prayer to push it in to line up bolt hole

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