Stuck trying to install rear shocks

[jblc]

I'm stuck in the middle of trying to install Bilstein 5100s on the rear. How do people compress the shocks enough to mount?

This isn't on a lift.

It took 2 mins to remove the old shocks, but I've been struggling for an hour to try and compress them enough to mount the new ones.
It'd be easy if I could lift the vehicle enough to have the wheels sag, but the manual says not to lift on frame members on the rear-- but only the axle which obviously doesn't help

I do have a tow hitch, but no hi-lift with which to lift the rear...

Zip ties, cables, etc do not fit into the cradle that holds either end of the shock (tolerances are tight), so I can't place compress beforehand, mount, and the release whatever holds it together.

What do people do?

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[Trigganometry]

Use a ratchet strap to compress or use a Jack and a block of wood and compress.

 

[jblc]

Thanks. Actually i tried both.

Whatever the ratchet holds on to in the bottom (zip tie, cable, etc), doesn't allow the shock to fit into its cradle -- so i have to release it and pull the connecting material, before trying to seat it.

Inevitably the shock shoots outwards and extends fully, or shoots too far into the cradle. If too far inside the cradle, there is no way to lever it back to align with the hole, to put the bolt in.

I also tried a jack, but the bottom cradle overlaps the bottom of the shock, so I can't lift it into place -- it can only be compressed to the rear/front (depending on the L/R side), but not inside the cradle, so I can't put the bolt in.

 

[aeroshots]

I lifted the truck via floor jack. Placed jack stands appropriately. That got me close enough to use a motorcycle tire iron for leverage at the bottom mount (after installation of the top mount. )

 

[aeroshots]

https://www.amazon.com/Core-Tools-C...ron+set&qid=1616887855&sprefix=tire+i&sr=8-11

 

[jblc]

I lifted the truck via floor jack. Placed jack stands appropriately

Thanks. See the original post on jack points: lifting on the axle doesn't do anything (obviously ) No other safe jack points are mentioned in the manual.

Is it safe to jack from the rear frame? I'd like to avoid warping the frame in a way it wasn't designed for...

 

[aeroshots]

Thanks. See the original post on jack points: lifting on the axle doesn't do anything (obviously ) No other safe jack points are mentioned in the manual.

Is it safe to jack from the rear frame?

I lifted from the axle then placed jack stands under the frame on each side. Lowered the jack so the truck was resting on the stands and the tires were just barely above the garage floor.

Still required the tire iron as the axle droop was about an inch too little for the new shocks.

 

[LoneRNGR]

Can you lay on your back and bench press them? If so, then get a big screwdriver and use it as a pry bar to support the shock while you put in the bolt. You can do it!

FYI: I like to take out the spare tire for extra clearance.

 

[jblc]

FYI: I like to take out the spare tire for extra clearance.

Thanks, definitely did that based on some other posts I read here in prep for doing this -- there's so much space with it removed, i can practically sit upright

 

[jblc]

I lifted from the axle then placed jack stands under the frame on each side. Lowered the jack so the truck was resting on the stands and the tires were just barely above the garage floor.

Got it -- thanks for the suggestion.

Wait...wouldn't that still load the frame oddly, since the jack stands couldn't be on the axle? They'd have to be on the frame, which goes back to my question on whether that's okay.

 

[jblc]

Can you lay on your back and bench press them?

I'm concerned about getting pinched and/or stuck (perhaps fingers etc amputated) if that goes wrong, and my hand gets between an expanding shock and the sheet metal that forms the bolt cradle...

 

[AZRanger]

Just use a floor jack on the hitch to let the suspension decompress a bit. Don’t need the wheels off the ground

 

[LoneRNGR]

Bench press it above the mount. Let go. It moves slowly. Get the screwdriver in that mount and use it like a pry bar to adjust it and get the bolt in.

Put another screwdriver through the bolt hole if you want to press without holding the shock mount.

 

[aeroshots]

Just use a floor jack on the hitch to let the suspension decompress a bit. Don’t need the wheels off the ground

Wouldn't be the first time I was wrong. ?

 

[Msfitoy]

I'm stuck in the middle of trying to install Bilstein 5100s on the rear. How do people compress the shocks enough to mount?

This isn't on a lift.

It took 2 mins to remove the old shocks, but I've been struggling for an hour to try and compress them enough to mount the new ones.
It'd be easy if I could lift the vehicle enough to have the wheels sag, but the manual says not to lift on frame members on the rear-- but only the axle which obviously doesn't help

I do have a tow hitch, but no hi-lift with which to lift the rear...

Zip ties, cables, etc do not fit into the cradle that holds either end of the shock (tolerances are tight), so I can't place compress beforehand, mount, and the release whatever holds it together.

What do people do?

With the truck on the ground (on tires of course), I placed my jack under the shock and gently lifted it up enough till the bolt slid through...

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