EPCO

I just replaced all corners with Bilstein 5100 (silver/black), and the right rear is knocking. Especially noticable on wash boards. I crawled underneath and can shake the shock, and push the bed up and down, to reproduce the sound and it is definately the top mount bolt, like the mounting hole is just bigger than the bolt. I triple checked the tightness as well. I can ever-so-slightly hear the left rear as well. I mounted the shocks with the black boot up......that is right, right?

Could I have swapped top and bottom bolts? Would they be a different size? Is this a MFG error? Is there a fix? Thinking of slipping a small peice of rubber in there.......

EPCO

I talked to a local 4x4 shop and they stated that the aftermarket shocks will have a generic sized ring. He has some spares that he'll give me that are sized specificly to take care of the extra play.

bchesley

Whot did you buy your shocks from and what part numbers are they. I just replaced my silver bilsteins and if you got the right part numbers you dont have to change anything. The really cheap rancho or procomp shocks come with a generic set of sleeves for different bolt/mounts but not bilstein. Your 4x4 shop is full of it.

tryNto

My ProComps didn't come with any extra parts, pulled the old stockers, put the new shocks in tightened the bolts, all is fine...

correct part should be same size bolt sleeves and just slide in. if you can get the sleeves to fit the bolt it will work.

stroker101

is the issue the actual bushing in the shock that is too large for the mounting bolt, or is the mounting hole on the brace that is secured to the truck which is too large for the bolt?

i have bilsteins on all four wheels and have no issues with loosness

Fisherguy

I just changed mine to 5100's too, no noises or clunks.

EPCO

It is the bushing. Got them from Geno's. BILSTEIN-BE5-6647 is the only option for silver/black.

Peterbilt

Not sure what happened, but put 5100s on over two years ago and never an issue and were easy to install. Maybe pull the shock out and see if everything on truck and shock are OK. Good luck.

Pete

2003Ram

My Bilstein HD's did come with a bushing/sleeve to use with a smaller bolt. My truck did not need them though.

EPCO

Thanks for the help guys. It is actually the shock itself. Got someone else to help look for the noise. You can feel the shock knock on compression. I will be calling Genos for an exchange.

1-2-3

Just changed my shocks too. Same thing on the passenger rear. On mine, the hole in the frame mount is larger than the bolt. Not by much, but enough to feel. The bolts had some were on it so the other side bolt looked better. Swapped them and it had less slop.

Don't know what I'm gonna do yet. Was thinking about new bolts with a washer on each side that fits the bolts tight, and welding the washers to the mounts.