Bilstein Shock Installation - Boot up or Down
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Senior User
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 169
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From: Anchorage, Alaska
Bilstein Shock Installation - Boot up or Down
Again with my quest for information about new shocks. I did quite a bit of searching on this forum and it seems to be the consensus that Bilstein shocks should be mounted with the boot down. However, I can't find any "official" confirmation of this, and the closest thing I found is this:
FAQ
Just thought I would pass it along...
Do I mount the shocks with the boot pointing up or down?
With the internal design of the Bilstein monotube gas shocks, it does not matter whether the shocks are mounted with the shock rod side up or down. There are some minor advantages in longevity and overall suspension effectiveness with the shock rod pointed down, and there are many instances where Bilstein has changed the orientation to take advantage of these minor improvements where there are no clearance problems. If there is an option, we recommend mounting the shock with the shock rod and boot pointing down, but in the grand scheme of things, there is no noticeable difference.
With the internal design of the Bilstein monotube gas shocks, it does not matter whether the shocks are mounted with the shock rod side up or down. There are some minor advantages in longevity and overall suspension effectiveness with the shock rod pointed down, and there are many instances where Bilstein has changed the orientation to take advantage of these minor improvements where there are no clearance problems. If there is an option, we recommend mounting the shock with the shock rod and boot pointing down, but in the grand scheme of things, there is no noticeable difference.
Just thought I would pass it along...
Lead Driver
Joined: Sep 2007
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From: Scio, OR
I don't know if it applies to all years/configurations, but with mine, I had no choice. The top and bottom mounts were different, so the shocks would only go one way. This was true with the front and the rear.
I don't remember right off which way the boots went, though.
I don't remember right off which way the boots went, though.
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Senior User
Joined: Apr 2010
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From: Anchorage, Alaska
Amazon.com: Bilstein BE5C296H0 Rear Shock Absorber for Ford F250/350: Automotive
Elder User
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 560
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From: 92592
Yea, the only reason I was checking is because the OEM shocks on our Superdutys (mine at least) are installed with the shock rods (& boots) up. Also, it's clear that these style boots are designed to be installed on the top only:
Amazon.com: Bilstein BE5C296H0 Rear Shock Absorber for Ford F250/350: Automotive
Amazon.com: Bilstein BE5C296H0 Rear Shock Absorber for Ford F250/350: Automotive
My 5125's are boot down.
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2006
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From: San Antonio, Texas
Grumpy--it depends on the year of your truck whether you can have boot up or down. I had a 2004 and it was different than my 2005--I think it has to do with clearance for the leaf springs vs. coils. Bilstein customer service say install so you can read the sticker right-side up. Anyway, the 2005 has the boot/rod up in the front...I think down in back--it's too late to go check.
What year is your truck? (edit: 2001--saw it in your profile)
What year is your truck? (edit: 2001--saw it in your profile)
Lead Driver
Joined: Aug 2004
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From: Gilbert
My 2000 has the boot down. Interesting that it doesn't matter. The answer given by Bilstein resembles an answer a politician would give.. heh.
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Senior User
Joined: Apr 2010
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From: Anchorage, Alaska
Grumpy--it depends on the year of your truck whether you can have boot up or down. I had a 2004 and it was different than my 2005--I think it has to do with clearance for the leaf springs vs. coils. Bilstein customer service say install so you can read the sticker right-side up. Anyway, the 2005 has the boot/rod up in the front...I think down in back--it's too late to go check.
What year is your truck? (edit: 2001--saw it in your profile)
What year is your truck? (edit: 2001--saw it in your profile)
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Elder User
Joined: Jun 2009
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From: 92592
That's the point I'm trying to make though. Yes, the shocks supplied with the expanding-bellows type boots, the ones that are sealed to the shock body with a zip-tie, can be mounted in either orientation. The other style boot though, the open ended one is a different story. If thosew are mounted down, they will simply behave like a cup and fill up with water, rocks, dirt whatever. Even if the shock body can be mountied either way, mounting that type of boot wrong could do more harm than good.
I've never seen a sealed boot as they would just blow off the first time the shock compressed.
I've been racing and running Bilsteins since 1978.
Hotshot
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 14,069
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From: Melbourne, Ky
When I put them on my 97 Super Duty, I mounted them so I could read Bilstein on the shocks without having to stand on my head. On this truck, the front shocks have the boots up, the rear have the boots down.
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2006
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From: San Antonio, Texas
I'm sorry--it was late and I forgot to state the holes are also on the bottom to let water out. I think you might be confused--the boots are not sealed...they are ziptied on. Also, Bilstein designed the shocks--put them on how every you want, but, don't complain if you put them on upside down and they don't work the way you think they should.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,433
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From: NH
Seeing as the OP didn't mention which year, they are year specific as mentioned.
All front coil 05 and up trucks can only be installed in one manner. Rod/Boot up as these shocks have the threaded stud at the top and single eye bolt at the bottom and obviously can only be mounted in this manner.
The rears are also mounted rod/boot up (per Bilstein instruction) although these have eye bolts at both ends.
All front coil 05 and up trucks can only be installed in one manner. Rod/Boot up as these shocks have the threaded stud at the top and single eye bolt at the bottom and obviously can only be mounted in this manner.
The rears are also mounted rod/boot up (per Bilstein instruction) although these have eye bolts at both ends.
New User
Joined: Nov 2001
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Installation only one way
I just installed the Bilstein 5100 in my 4x4 2004 f250 lariat. These shocks only install one way b/c the bottom mount has a sleeve and the top has only a rubber bushing. So I can only mount them one way, the boot down. When I tried to install it the other way the end w/ the sleeve wouldn’t fit the top bolt. Hope this helps someone