Question Bilstein Adj 5100s...

CoMarc

New member
This is NOT a lift related question!
(thought that might make a few people happy)

So recently after my CV boots destroyed themselves and I was looking at replacing them I found my Bilstein Adj 5100s up front up on the 4th (right-side) and 5th (left-side) perches. I thought that was pretty odd. The truck drives straight and although is pretty firm on the bumps rides fine. Plus the side that was on the 5th notch is about a 1/2 to 1 inch higher than the other side.

Long story short, I had taken the truck back earlier this summer to a shop to have the billies adjusted from the 2nd perch to the 3rd. I received it back, looked great and I loved the new stance! I didn't think at the time to check the perch settings (or don't remember if I did) as I was pretty specific to what I wanted them set to. Then a month or so ago I noticed my CV boots ripped apart and when going to replace them found the Bilsteins on the different perches--not exactly what I expected.

So the question is: has anyone heard of these struts changing perch setting suddenly or due to driving on the trails or offroading or even during normal driving?

I took the truck back to the shop and had them adjust the billies to the 3rd notch again, verified they were correct, and then took it for a quick test drive. The front is no longer as stiff as I remember it being when I picked it up after the last "adjustment", and it no longer drives straight (I'm sure you can guess which side it pulls towards). The shop is taking care of me as it a complete mystery as to why the struts are suddenly higher, and the only thing that we can guess is that they were put on wrong to begin with.

The only other thought that crossed my mind was that I did take the truck onto some mildly rough offroads with a pop-up camper on the back weighing the rear down a little (probably drooped an inch max). However, my guess is the shop was trying to level out the stance and decided the 4th and 5th perches was the way to go? Either way, thought I'd see if anyone had any experience where the 5100's changed their perch on their own.

Just an odd situation that I'd see if anyone has any experience or knowledge on. Thanks for your thoughts!
 
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I would have to say that it is 99.99% impossible for the perches to change on their own. Simply not going to happen. I could see them failing, slipping, etc....but always with the end result being a mess....not the perch notched nicely onto a different set point.
 
its physically impossible for them to move on their own, let alone move up against gravity... the shop screwed up and didnt instal them correctly
 
are you considering the bottom most perch #5 or #1? there is absolutely 0% chance of an adjustable strut jumping up a perch. down is in the realm of possibility, however i've never seen it, read it, or heard about it.
 
are you considering the bottom most perch #5 or #1? there is absolutely 0% chance of an adjustable strut jumping up a perch. down is in the realm of possibility, however i've never seen it, read it, or heard about it.

Sorry that I didn't clarify...

Perch #1 is the bottom perch (least amount of lift)
Perch #5 is the top perch (greatest amount of lift)
 
some one wasn't paying attention when they put those together. i can say with absolute certainty that there is NO WAY they jumped. the springs are mounted in the strut under pressure at all times.
 
Wait, my shocks are self adjusting! Got more than I bargained for...

NOTICE: Sarcasm was implemented in the making of this comment.
 
Thanks everyone. This is what I figured was the case. I don't know why the shop would have done them incorrectly the first time (they've never screwed up anything before so I had no reason to check), but nobody is perfect I suppose.
 
just another example of why people should be more familiar with their vehicles. good on you for noticing something off. if more regular folks (not yotajunkies like us) were as knowledgeable about their vehicles, scumbag mechanics wouldn't have given good mechanics the bad reputation (overcharging, doing unnecessary work, etc.)
 
I thought there were only 3 notches on the adj 5100s.. am I thinking of different ones?

Regardless, I wheeled VERY hard on mine when I had them and never had a problem. Like everyone else has said.. Unless some kind of human error during install or complete breakage of the perch, there's no way it would break.
 
I thought there were only 3 notches on the adj 5100s.. am I thinking of different ones?

Regardless, I wheeled VERY hard on mine when I had them and never had a problem. Like everyone else has said.. Unless some kind of human error during install or complete breakage of the perch, there's no way it would break.

on the tacoma 5100s there are only 3, but on the turndra 5100s there are 5 settings. the greater number of setting is the reason i went with the tundra ones
 
Got my truck back last weekend and have had a chance to drive it around.. What a difference with the ride from when I picked up earlier this year! No where near as stiff and not quite as high. Overall, still happy, but even happier it's fixed.
 

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