I just got my Bilsteins from eshock.com. The instructions for the rears is non-existant. I need to know which end of the shock is UP. If they follow the convention of the stockers, the rod end will be at the top and the body on the bottom. Does anyone know which is correct? Bilstein's web site does not have any help.

Thanks !!!!

 

Yes, the end with the threaded stud will be on top and the end with the bolt hole with bushing will be on the bottom. You cannot mount them otherwise unless you have a welder.

 

Rocky, you are describing the front shocks. The rear shocks have a rubber bushing eye at both ends that are the same size. They could be installed either way.

 

ahh, new style. Heck, just look at your old ones when taking them off and put the new ones on the same way. They will all mount the same way regardless of brand.

And all the older models (on every truck I've ever owned), the rears mounted with the rod end up.

 

The rubber boot on the rear Bilstiens goes up.

 

I mounted mine boots down, the reason being if you look closely at the boots they have drain holes near the end to let water drain out. But the shock eyes are both the same size so you can mount them either way. However on my previous truck, 2002 f250, the rear bilstein shocks would only mount in one direction boots down.

 

I put mine on boots up also, the little holes in the end of the boots are for the trapped air to excape upon compression of the shock, So the boots dont pop off.

 

Agreed, boots up. Look at what is already on your truck. It has the plastic oversleeve on top.

 

Yeah, but if you mount them boots up the writing on the shock is upside down. Honestly for the vast majority of people I don't think it matters. However the thing you have to worry about is either a nick in the shaft or grit buildup ruining the seals and the oil leaking out. With the boot up you are less likely to nick the shaft but any grit that gets in the boot settles at the bottom and can ruin the seals as the shock cycles.

 

The correct way is boot DOWN, this may seem a strange way to explain but it is that the shock is split between sprung and unsprung weight. The lighter end is the shaft end and goes to the axle which is unsprung weight. You are always (if you are doing it correctly) tring to keep the unsprung weight as low as possible. The shock is thought of as 2 parts the body with all the oil and divider piston ( heavy end) and the shaft which contains the piston with valving and rod end (light side).

 

If I was you I'd just call Blistein with all this different answers coming in.

If you would measure you truck from the ground to the middle of the cab. and afterwards. I want to see if these things will really give a little bit of lift like some people have been claiming.

 

Look, see and learn

http://www.off-road.com/ford/reviews...ein01.jpg.html[/IMG]

 

After looking at the internal nitrogen piston arrangement, I doubt that it matters which end is up. I will mount the rears to match the front, with the rod end up. Unsprung weight notwithstanding, I think that the main shock body will be less susceptable to brush and road hazards than the boot.

I also plan to make measurements before and after to check ride height. The rears could not possible change ride height as the rod only has a few pounds (maybe 40 or 50) of extension pressure caused by the nitrogen charge. The fronts may have a higher spring retaining position on the shock body though. I will post heights after I get hold of a compressor.

 

Please post a review on how they are! I'm very interested to hear how they effect the already cushy ride...

 

dzervit, I put them on a couple of weeks ago. As I had reached 30k, I was due anyhow. The truck seems to ride smoother, I don't feel as much vibration as with OE. At times, especially on the highway, it feels like the truck is floating a couple of inches over the highway. It's that smooth. I do think the Bilsteins are a bit firmer for cornering and they definitely rebound quicker than OE. I don't mean that as a bad thing, but when I go over speed bumps a little too fast, you can here the front end expand out to the limit. Something that did not happen with the OE shocks. I have not hit any road yet that I had problems with the washboard effect with OE, so I can't say there that they are better. As I had Bilsteins on my 01, I can say so far no surprises, and no regrets.