Adjusting Bilstein 5100’s while installed

[KevinAB]

A couple months ago, I had Bilstein 5100’s installed on all corners of my ’13 SR5, with fronts set at 1.75” and SAWs installed in the rear. Originally I was very happy with the mild rake this yielded. Many miles later, the fronts have settled in, resulting in more of a rake than I want, so I plan on pulling the fronts and adjusting them up to the 2.5” setting.

That said (and here is the problem with me over-thinking something :der: ) a buddy and I pondered the possibility of making the adjustment while they are still installed on the 4Runner. There is at least one older post on these forums where someone successfully accomplished this, apparently with some difficulty.

So I ask (and I am chuckling at the whole idea even as I post this), what are the chances the springs can be compressed and the clip ring can be shifted up to the top notch, all while still installed? I can imagine some potential problems with this approach (fitting the compressor, trashing the clip, etc.), but I am curious about it. Has anyone contemplated/tried this approach?

 

[Marcocopuffs]

I can imagine if you compress the springs enough you could adjust the perch. At that point it would probably be easier to uninstall the coilover.

 

[Whiplash Willy]

In the past, one user on this forum had had the C Clip on his 5100s fail, and it was believed that because he had adjusted the perch too many times, weakening the C Clip.

You may want to get new C Clips if you are moving the perch.

 

[gm350reratliff]

I believe the closest thing to adjusting the 5100s while still on the vehicle would be following the "no spring compressor install method ". I also would recommend new c-clips as well.

 

[manofsteele2003]

I can't imagine it would be any easier then removing the assembly from the truck and doing it on a bench.

 

[Jono.ful]

I attempted to adjust mine (when I had them) using a spring compressor. I found that there wasn't enough room to position the tool and effectively compress the spring with enough force to gain access to the circlip. separating the lower ball joint and following the "no spring compressor method" is much quicker than struggling with a spring compressor.

 

[KevinAB]

Thanks all, for your input. I guess I'll stick with my initial plan of just pulling them off for the adjustment. Although first I'm going to research the "no spring compressor method", just out of curiosity.

Ultimately, I intend to get new clips for the adjustment since I've read about issues with reusing them, and since that issue has also been emphasized again in this thread.

 

[Tisoy281]

Bumping this post back up. I have 5100's set at 0.85 in the front, and am wanting to go 1.75 with 1 inch cornfed spacers in the rear. I don't have any tools where I'm at (had to sell all my crap when I moved), and am wanting what I need to tell the shop when I go to have this done. I know people mentioned getting new clips? Is this a necessity? If so, where can I purchase them? Any insight would be appreciated. Thanks!

 

[Texanx5]

Great to know, I had a shop install and apparently they miss understood and set at lowest not highest setting. They also put them on rear with the EMU upgraded springs and ride is fantastic but font is looking at the ground so headlights are not working well. The shop was insistent I needed blocks or pucks to shim it out. Don’t think they ever understood adjusting the shocks after I went back. Guessing I will end up doing it. They did get the XREAS system off for me.