The rubber boot can collect water and debris when mounted in that fashion, possibly leading to shaft corrosion. Upside down it acts as a funnel because where the rubber meets the shaft towards the eyelet is a tight fit causing collection. The shocks that use a solid shield instead of rubber boots, no way they could be mounted that way.

**edit I see the drain holes in the bottom of the boot.

 

That installation orientation is something I have noticed before, and I think only on Bilstien shocks. It definitely does not look right, but I have done that head scratch many times before looking at Bilstien installs.

 

Thank you again for bringing this to my attention. At the very least I learned that I did it right! When you said it, I was thinking to myself "well crap", I guess I know what I am doing this weekend. I will add checking the drainage holes to my list of things to check when changing the oil. Things like front/rear differential vents, starter bolts, etc...

It did not even occur to me they might be upside down until Brokestroke said it. I thought he was right at first, but luckily I was able to identify at least 2 other images verifying the installation orientation. I am grateful for the FTE though for having my back and pointing out things that I may have done incorrectly. It happens... At the very least, I learned something and have another checklist item to look at.

They doo like a bit strange though when looking at most any other type of shock with a protective shroud.

 

I was thinking my silver Bilsteins were also “upside down” as in boot on bottom. I’m too lazy to head to the cold garage at the moment but found a photo supporting this statement. And yes, there are a couple holes in the bottom of the boot.




I have used a jack on the chassis or axle to help align the end of shocks during installation. Can’t remember off hand but thinking put a jackstand under the frame then drop the axle. This at least gets it a little closer to lining up.

 

I thought my rears were upside down (bilistein) as well but the only way they fit was with the the boot down.

 

One month later comes my Victory post!! My alignment tools below came in handy. Daily confident the ears were bent in as one side was way easier than the other. Although both sides were a challenge.

 

Sweet... Glad you finally got it done! Let’s see pics of the truck. Sorry about your back…

 

thanks for the well wishes

Rigcity on the far right fellow 7.3 in the middle and a 6.7 on the far end
130kw genset and 200 gallons of diesel per truck

Only the Best Fresh Water for my truck lol just had to pickup a hitch extender for one of the small boats to keep my truck out of the salt water down here on launch good option for anyone else with a similar issue

 

Well done sir! We knew you could do it when you had the time. Truck looks good working for a living.

The ears for my steering stabilizer were bent out of whack and I had to massage them back to a useable form. They are not as thick as the ears for the shocks, but I get what you are referring to. Your tools of choice look a lot like my tools of choice when I was fighting the steel.

We look forward to your thoughts on the ride quality going forward.

 

I would still question your installation on your front shocks....

I installed Rancho RS5000s yesterday. When taking off the old (original) shocks, all pistons were in the going up position. Both of the front and back 'boots' were on my truck now installed on the upper side of each. Why would your front shock boots be in the down position and your rear boots be in the up position? I would think that they would all be the same. The videos that I looked at showed pistons going up and that was the way that my originals (yes very old) were and that is how I reinstalled they. I would have installed them that way (pistons going up) no matter the brand.
It was also labeled on the shock... which way is up..

 

I did as well when brokestroke asked about the mounting orientation.

Although, Bilstein are designed to be mounted with the label legible from standing next to or looking under the truck. RacinJasonWV provided a picture of the 5100 series Bilstein mounted in the same orientation as I have mine. The image in post #14 confirms the orientation of the Bilstein label is correct and in line with the installation instructions.

The first image in post #15 shows the "drainage" holes in the boots for the front shocks which are facing down. I have highlighted those holes in red in the image below for easy identification.



The second and third images in post #15 show the same mounting orientation as mine and RacinJasonWV used, which is also according to the instructions. One of the images is from the FTE and our sub-forum, the other is from www.superdutypsd.com which is considered a trusted source of information for our trucks.

Link directly to the page: https://www.superdutypsd.com/shocks.php

This is a link to another installation on a 2002 F-250 with the same orientation that I had not found before: https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...l#post12861607

I don't know everything and I make mistakes every day of my life. I thought for sure I had made a mistake when brokestroke mentioned it, but after careful consideration I am 100% confident the shocks are mounted properly and in the proper orientation. Why Bilstein designed them like this, I don't know. Frankly these are the only shocks I have ever bought for a vehicle besides Koni adjustable struts for a sports car I had years ago.

I bought these and installed them in July of 2016. I just went out and did my best to peak inside the boot and check the drainage holes for debris and could not find any. Despite having traveled a lot of the country during that time, they are doing well and still provide a comfortable ride. I agree that this is the only brand I have seen mount the shocks in that orientation, but I feel I must go with the manufacturer suggested installation method than what I think might be right. Sometimes I don't go by the manufacturers guidelines, but sometimes I do.

Thank you for your input and allowing me to triple check myself though, I do appreciate it and I hope that RigCity does not mind us straying his thread off course again. If so, I would be glad to ask one of our moderators to move the off topic posts to another thread more suited for the discussion, or to create a new thread based on the discussion content.

 

I up graded my last to post to read..... there is an imprint on the shock that tells you which way is up...

Have you found Any where (official) that says that those holes are 'drain holes'???? I do not think that they are 'drain holes'? imo.

The link from 2002 show front and back pistons 'installed' going down.... my originals (that I took off yesterday) were both going up...

(bottom line... you being 'good' with how they are is all that matters..)

Blessings Sous.

I had to chuckle a little on this statement. The wife and I had a long dialog (in Love) about doing something to our house that we own out right and have lived in for 36 years ( we will never move). We were a little 'torn'... should we or should we not.... we looked at each other and both nodded and said at this same time.. "This is our house and if we make a mistake or go through a learning process and don't like it.... we can always tear it back out and try again at something else or go back to the way it was. It was a little sad and funny that we had to 'give' ourselves 'permission' to do what we both wanted to do.

Again, Blessings

 

No, I can only guess that is what they are, again I don't know everything and make mistakes everyday. But, I have mounted the front shocks the exact same way every other 99-03 Super Duty truck has Bilstein shocks mounted that I could find.

I think we are confusing our terminology here. The link from the 2002 has the shocks exactly how I have mine. The rear shocks have the piston in the up orientation (piston goes down into the housing) when installed properly, just like they are shown for their product listing, which is the first image in post #15. The front shock has the piston in the down orientation (piston goes up into the housing). Your also right that I have not seen any other shock mounted in this orientation on the 99-03 Super Duty.

Although, I specifically remember reading the Bilstein label should be legible by looking in at the shocks (front and rear) from outside the truck. This is the way the rear are with the piston up and the front are with the piston down. I may have made a mistake installing them, but I find it hard to believe that I made the same mistake every other Bilstein customer has made along the way, that I could find at least.


Blessings to you as well sir! I don't mind people double or triple checking what I have done. I am not perfect, I am not a master technician and I am not too proud to say so when I make a mistake. The truck does not seem to ride adversly or make strange noises. Maybe the holes are breather holes and not drainage holes, I don't know. I do know that they are clean and the shocks seem to perform well. If/when I remove them one day, I will be sure to post images and results of the "upside down" mounting orientation for everyone to see. Again, not too proud to admit when I am wrong and maybe I will be.

Thanks again for checking my work sir, I hope your week is a good one!

 

I have absolutely no idea if the shocks are the correct way up or not, but I would think that the purpose of the hole at one end of the bellows is to allow the passage of air. This would prevent the bellows from becoming dislodged from the extension & ccontraction going over rough terrain, which would likely happen if the bellows were sealed. JMHO.....

 

Sorry to the OP for the thread detour.

The Bilstein 5100 front shocks mount with the boot down in our application. I can’t remember if they would even install the other direction. But I do remember questioning it during installation and finding the solution somewhere before putting them on “upside down”.

This is a screenshot from the Bilstein website FAQ. The sticker reads correctly with boot down on our trucks.




Here is another thread on the subject FWIW.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/9...p-or-down.html