Issues removing the OEM "spring seat" when installing Bilstein 5100s?

[jastevenson]

Am ready to bite the bullet and install these on my 2019 Expy. However, I read that they require reuse of the OEM spring seats, and that there is some controversy as to whether the spring seats are removable or welded on.

Someone wrote in a prior post: "I took it to the Ford dealership to have them installed and they are telling me that they are unable to reuse the spring seat from the original parts."

Has anyone had issues swapping their OEM struts for Bilsteins? Or was it pretty straightforward? I will have this done at a mechanic, but want to be sure it's ok to proceed.

Thanks in advance!!

 

[Deadman]

If you do them yourself, BE CAREFUL with the springs. They can wound you bad..... Use the correct spring compressor!

 

[Greg Parker]

Am ready to bite the bullet and install these on my 2019 Expy. However, I read that they require reuse of the OEM spring seats, and that there is some controversy as to whether the spring seats are removable or welded on.

Someone wrote in a prior post: "I took it to the Ford dealership to have them installed and they are telling me that they are unable to reuse the spring seat from the original parts."

Has anyone had issues swapping their OEM struts for Bilsteins? Or was it pretty straightforward? I will have this done at a mechanic, but want to be sure it's ok to proceed.

Thanks in advance!!

My question is ...are you just hoping for a stock-height, better ride?....or have you sourced some information where the Bilstein's will raise / level the Expy?

 

[duneslider]

The spring seats came off mine no problem at all. Not sure what would cause people to have issues, maybe if they were old and really rusty or something.

I also am really happy with the bilsteins. I use/have the OTC clamshell compressor and it worked great. Make sure to lube the screw and friction points and I used a big impact gun on it, works great. The springs are thick and the compressor was tight to get on the springs. I kept mine at stock height.

 

[wakeboarder]

See post #6 in the thread linked below. There is a video that shows you how to remove them.

https://www.expeditionforum.com/threads/bilstein-5100-and-spring-seat-part.43302/#post-389463

 

[jastevenson]

Thanks all!

To answer the question above, I am replacing my stock shocks because the ride is awful (I posted on this in the pst, but basically I think there is something wrong with the shocks because my Tahoe rode 10x better, and other Expeditions I’ve been on also ride better). Not interested in lifting, just better ride quality!

 

[Greg Parker]

Thanks all!

To answer the question above, I am replacing my stock shocks because the ride is awful (I posted on this in the pst, but basically I think there is something wrong with the shocks because my Tahoe rode 10x better, and other Expeditions I’ve been on also ride better). Not interested in lifting, just better ride quality!

Thanks for the clarification Jay. I've been quite happy with the ride on my new Expy, but have some notions about lifting slightly and putting bigger tires (perhaps wheels, if necessary) on it when these factory shoes wear out.

Good info. Bilsteins have always rocked (had 'em on my Duramax).

 

[Gary Waugh]

As above, I had no issues removing the mounts on my old shocks and fitting them to the Bilsteins, also love the way the expy handles with the Bilsteins. Hope you are pleasantly surprised by the ride.

Gary

 

[Deadman]

Bilsteins won't be as smooth as factory struts.....

 

[fordperfaddict]

Is there a bilstein shock seat available to buy? My install shop was saying they wouldn’t recommend it or try it but that’s without them looking at it. Ford doesn’t sell a seat separately as it’s apart of the strut from a parts perspective