I''ve got my front wheel off and am trying to install my new Bilsteins. I'm not able to compress them by hand whatsover...even putting all my weight on them they do not compress. Are they just that stiff??? Is there some kind of retaining pin that needs to be removed or something???

The back ones compress relatively easy.

Please help!

 

Disregard...got em in...had to use a cheater bar to get a little leverage at the bottom end and work em up into place. Phew...that was an easy job by technical standards...but there was some difficulty in breaking the nut loose that holds the bottom pin (hint: do not use a 3/8 inch driver) and then muscling it into place.

One thing I'm disappointed with is the fact that the post is not long enough to get the bushing, cap, and nut on. I had to use a smaller washer in place of the cap to get the screw started. I'm hoping over time the bushing will compress long enough for me to replace the washer with the proper cap.