Bilstein 5100s rears installed the easy way

[Ducman]

Well after about 30 seconds I knew there was no way in hell I was going to be able to get a good grip on the top of the shock shaft. There is ZERO room in there.

Sawzall made quick work of them though. :biggrin2:

So..rears are done... I'm having a shop do the fronts tomorrow morning. At $75/side for installation they can mess with the springs and then get it aligned.

I'm going with the .85" setting for the fronts and I'll post a pic when I get it back.

:beer:

 

[Modifier]

I'm installing mine on Fri probably at the .85" setting too. I'll be interested to see your pic. Thanks for the tip on removing the rears! Had to do that on my '99 T4R so makes sense I'd have to do it on my '03

 

[Zuke]

Please do post up some pics of the .85 setting. I am looking at this options too.

 

[olsen_karl]

Or for $9, this set of metric ratcheting wrenches from Harbor Freight does the job:
5 Piece Metric Offset Ratchet Wrench Set

That's what I used to get to the top nut on the rear shocks.

 

[Ducman]

Or for $9, this set of metric ratcheting wrenches from Harbor Freight does the job:
5 Piece Metric Offset Ratchet Wrench Set

That's what I used to get to the top nut on the rear shocks.

Getting a wrench on the top not was not an issue, there was not room to get a set of vicegrips on the top of the shock shaft to keep it from spinning when trying to turn the nut.

Sawzall took all of 10 seconds to cut through there. Although the rubber isolator burning didnt smell the best. :barf:

 

[olsen_karl]

Getting a wrench on the top not was not an issue, there was not room to get a set of vicegrips on the top of the shock shaft to keep it from spinning when trying to turn the nut.

I put vice grips under the shock washer, somewhat crushing the upper splash guard shield. IIRC, there are wrench flats on the shock there.

It's been awhile though, so I'm not entirely sure...