Those with QA1's up front. Install tips needed.
 

Gang,

In an attempt to install the front pair of QA1's today, I experienced what seems to be a clearance issue and thwarted completion of todays task. :(

The bottom of the shock body on a QA1 is much closer to the lower mount that the Bilstein. This caused hole in the control arm to touch the bottom of the QA1 and subsequently not allow the "T" mount to fit on to the lower shock mount bolts.

A set of Tim's (Skelton) install tips were printed and handy but still caused the above issue. An engineer bud had a look and suggested I grind off the unthreaded portion of the lower shock mount bolts in order to gain some clearance. Dont really want to do that unless ABSOLUTELY necessary.

Any tips or tricks would be greatly appreciated.

Stan, Spike, Tim, you have mail.

Bob

I pointed the shock with the adjustment knob toward the engine and they fitted perfect....Hope this helps......:)

Do that.

And you have to play with the T-fitting. You need to twist it and wiggle the shock. After you get one the next will be much easier.

I had the same problem, just compress the suspension a little and work it. Once the shock slips in to place, the second one will be easy.

Re: Those with QA1's up front. Install tips needed.
 

I emailed my tips back to you earlier.

Bob

I had the same problem on my 2000 L I ended up grinding on the bottom two corners off the shock to gain clearance. Yes it was scary. I was later told that if you pust the shock rod all the way in you can get it in but ...

Hope this helps

Andy

how stiff will these shocks adjust to because i need a stiffer shock than the bell tech nitro active.

Thanks for the replies guys!!

:thumbsup: :beers:

Will attempt this again this evening.

....Paging Dr. mOdThRaX....


99REDBOLT,

From what I can ascertain what those that have posted their experiences (Spike, thepawn, awhittle, Ruslow, et. al.), the #12 setting is REAL stiff.

I'll post my findings after all four are installed and have a chance to play with the settings.

Bob

Well?

Bob

Start at about 4 or 5 clicks front and rear for normal street driving.

AW

Bob,

The trick that we used t oisnbtall the shocks onto my truck was to raise the lower control arm some after we had the shock installed in the location. If we had left the lower control arm down, we were not ablet to get the bottom shock mount to propely fit with the t-section.

Took one phone call to George and about 5 minutes of playing to figure this out after 20 minutes of staring. :)

Daniel

It is tight, I jack the arm to where it is loaded. Iuuuuuuuuuu turn the shock to the lowest setting, compress the piston most of the way. Use a screw driver to angle the lower T mount and work one side on then the other. Something similar to that will get it in there. I use blue 242 loctite since the nuts don't go back on as far. make sure you reused the stock lower bushsings. They help locate the shock. You have to cut the top tower down to about 1/4", then I cut the bottom in half. The shock hole is almost as large as the supplied bushings.
QA1's scan go from no shock floating to break your teeth stiff.

I didn't have to cut anything on mine? Did you buy the shocks for a lowered truck or no?

Daniel

Fronts INSTALLED!!
 

Thanks to Spike and all, both front QA1's were installed in less than an hour. :wave:

Following Andy's advice, I set them to 5 and headed out for a 40 mile drive (had to go back to work).

The roads were wet so pushing the truck was a NO NO.

As for comfort, MOST EXCELLENT!! Can't wait to get the rears on and test thoroughly in the spring.

Backing out of the driveway clearly indicated the 22K mile Bilsteins were shot.

as always gratuitous imagery.

https://www.f150online.com/galleries...5-79-42344.jpg

install tools (floor jack and jackstands also required)
https://www.f150online.com/galleries...5-79-42345.jpg

Thanks again guys!!

Bob