Bilstein rear shock install question

[1pt21gw]

and today i finally got the rear shocks put on. it was much easier than i thought it would be. except for having to go fishing for the top curbside nut... it was holding it self in place perfectly from all the mud so i didnt bother with tape. soon as i lined up the new shock and put in the bolt the nut went right into no hands fit land...

So how was the test ride?

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[CompDude]

and today i finally got the rear shocks put on. it was much easier than i thought it would be. except for having to go fishing for the top curbside nut... it was holding it self in place perfectly from all the mud so i didnt bother with tape. soon as i lined up the new shock and put in the bolt the nut went right into no hands fit land...

Enjoy the improvement

 

[9zero1790]

have not tried them yet, had to shower and change i was nasty from crawling on the ground and creeper. dont wanna mess up the interior of the truck. i will likely take it for a spin in a couple hours when traffic dies down.

 

[1pt21gw]

Ok, we'll wait.

 

[9zero1790]

finally got to take it for a spin. I could tell a big difference already. just stepping on the back bumper was better. the back of the truck feels controlled now and not like a fat man standing in up in a small canoe. Cant wait to get the rest done!

 

[micl9]

I have already gone from Stock (Fx4) to Rough Countrys and about to go to Bilsteins.
Question to all of you - the shop manual says throw aware the hardware. I didn't when I installed the Rough Countrys. I figure it has something to do with deforming to lock and re-use will not lock as well. This time I may break out the loctite...
Anyone replace theirs?

 

[1pt21gw]

Changed shocks out twice, only at 10k miles, I reused the 1st time as it was only like 700 miles on the clock. The second time, I added 589 Shock Protection and they came with a new longer bolt.

I try to replace with new when I can.

 

[got3fords]

Getting ready to install these and the label still indicates boot up

That's how I installed my Eibachs. I figured if the zip tie failed the boot would just flop around but still be somewhat protective. If it was upside down it would collect debris.

 

[9zero1790]

I have already gone from Stock (Fx4) to Rough Countrys and about to go to Bilsteins.
Question to all of you - the shop manual says throw aware the hardware. I didn't when I installed the Rough Countrys. I figure it has something to do with deforming to lock and re-use will not lock as well. This time I may break out the loctite...
Anyone replace theirs?

since it is not the first or second go round with the hardware i would change them for new. i figure one change out should be fine on the hardware but after that it is not worth the possible headaches. hardware is cheap. having a shock come free while rounding a turn on the freeway, very costly lol. i plan on checking them out in a week or so and make sure they are still at the correct foot pounds of torque and touching up the thread lock.

 

[micl9]

Went with new bolts and nuts.
Ride is marginally better than my Rough Country shocks I replaced. The proof will be when I drive tonight - The LED headlight have a very definitive horizon line and is a good gauge for how much float is in the suspension. It was sea sick worthy with the stock Fx4 shocks ?
As I bought these used I could tell which one was on the exhaust side as the boot was a bit deformed. Anyone else notice this, it is close to the exhaust.

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