Here's the resolution, in case anyone was wondering... thank you for the helpful replies to my original post, they helped me keep my head clear.
The local shop was puzzled, even re-did the install, loosened the shock mount bolts & put weight on the tires before tightening. As you're supposed to do, and which they were sure they did the first time. Even sent some pics to a rep from Bilstein. So, the guy I'm dealing with, a co-owner, gets a couple of replacement front struts from their distributor, new Bilstein 4600s. BTW, the lift was in the front, not so much in the back...
I was waiting for the work, and the guy showed me what happened.... when the new Bilstein struts arrived, the spring mount/bracket comes in a separate plastic bag, installed on the strut at install time. BUT!!! the first pair of struts had this mounting bracket already installed.... UPSIDE DOWN! which lifted the front a whole bunch, I want to say six inches, but I didn't measure, it was noticeably higher to get in the driver's side door.
Someone must have incorrectly installed the coil spring mounting brackets & returned them to the distributor, who didn't notice. And, I really don't blame the mechanic, why would he think the mounting bracket was upside down?
I wonder if this can be used as a "poor man's lift"? (not seriously suggesting).
