Installed new Bilsteins, now ride height is all over the place!

[WSLN 6]

I Recently installed a set of the Bilsteins (yellow/blue non adjustables) in my 98 4runner with weird results....

Pre install, my front ride height was 34" from the floor to the flare, and 34.5" in the rear.
Now I have 37.5" front drivers side, and 36" rear drivers side. The passenger side is 36.5" front, 35" rear.
It looks rather silly.
I removed the drivers side shock and coil again and can not get it to sit perfectly on the bottom coil mount on the shock like the passenger side but that shouldn't make that big of a difference height wise.
All experts please chime in, truck has 347,000km's on it. (easy highway/city life)

 

[Baja Runner]

Did you install the coils on the shocks correctly? As in, are the bottom of the front coils aligned with the grove on the coil seat? Also, the coil seat on the shocks seated on the flange correctly?

Sounds to me you just need to get everything settled down. How many miles did you drive after you installed?

Shocks themselves shouldn't add/remove ride height, so its something to do with the coils, or how they are seated.

 

[Gerdo]

I know that they have gone to a stamped steel lower mount but this should give you an idea what it should look like. Most of the mount is up inside of the coil. Reversing it is a fairly common mistake.

 

[Singtoe]

I know that they have gone to a stamped steel lower mount but this should give you an idea what it should look like. Most of the mount is up inside of the coil. Reversing it is a fairly common mistake.

All that salt makes it look tasty. :naughty:

 

[WSLN 6]

The passenger shock fits perfectly and sits nice on the bottom shock spring support. The driver one I have removed completely, taken it apart and assembled again and it still doesn't want to sit straight on the support. The shock is not really centered in the coil and will not follow the curve of the lower shock support. The top of the spring fits fine, and in the same small groove that the stocker sat in.
It seems to drive and ride ok.
Keep the ideas coming.....thanks!!
Here are some pics, the passenger side first then 2 drivers side pics.

 

[1985taylor1925]

Did you install the coils on the shocks correctly? As in, are the bottom of the front coils aligned with the grove on the coil seat? Also, the coil seat on the shocks seated on the flange correctly?

Sounds to me you just need to get everything settled down. How many miles did you drive after you installed?

Shocks themselves shouldn't add/remove ride height, so its something to do with the coils, or how they are seated.

This is correct. Its a misconception that shocks lift or lower the vehicle (unless or course they are adjustable). But if the shock seat on the bilsteins sits higher than on the original shocks, then your coils would be more compressed which would lift it. Is there any chance you got the wrong shocks?

 

[Gerdo]

The first picture shows the seat correct.
The second and third picture show the seat in the incorrect position. Flip the black steel seat and everything should be good.

 

[awpsome]

I just did this install yesterday. Your 2nd and 3rd picture show the coil seat upside down.
That changes the stuff roughly around 1.5"
It's also not recommended mounted like that and can ruin the shock and spring.
Fix that back and match it to the same as the 1st picture, drive around the block and everything should even out.


Same for me, after i put it on the front was about 1" higher then rear but drove around the block and all settled even.
Good shocks huge difference from blown stock

 

[WSLN 6]

OMG am I dumb.....lol I did them one side at a time and never noticed this! Thanks a lot guys, pardon my brain fart!