Alot of question and bad answers on forums.

There have been alot of questions on forums regarding the CORRECT install of Bilstein Shocks.
I recently purchased a 2007 Durango with 29,000 miles. The ride was terrible, so i decided to change the shocks all around to Bilsteins.

Installing: Very easy to install but when I went to install the rear shocks first. The bushings didnt fit with the rubber boot up. I tryed everything to get it to fit and I got nowhere so I install boot down and it fit perfect, THIS IS WRONG!!!

I new it didnt look correct and decided to go to my local mechanic and he informed me boot always up, YES RUBBER BOOT UP. All I said was, I know you probably hate people watching you work but I have to see what you are going to do to make it fit correct. He is cool and he said no prooblem.

So it took him a total of 20 min to do all four and he might of had a cigerette. He didnt even need to take tires off but then again he had a lift.
=So what did he do to make them fit is the question??=
After removing the old shock he took pry bar and pressed ever so gently and then took a large set of pliers and pulled lightly enough on the bottom bracket to make enough room that the bushing went right it. I couldnt beleive how easy he made it look. I was trying to wedge a scewdriver in and I tryed a C clamp and i got no where.

So bottom line.......BOOT ON TOP, LARGER CAN ON THE BOTTOM!!!!!

 

My Biltsteins are upside down (boot at the bottom) on my rears with no adverse effects,
FF

 

Hey FF,

I asked what the down side is..........

The tech said to me you have to think of it like a house, The frame or the most sturdy part goes on the bottom, you have a better chance of road debris hitting the smaller part of the shock and bending it.

In addtion, he also explained billstein does make a particular shock (heavy duty- for lift kits) that has the option to go on upsidedown.

 

You can flip flop them to preference with no ill effects. With that said, my bils are boots up.

IndyD

 

Accually you can install many different things the wrong way, but there is a reason for the correct install, FUNCTIONALITY!!!!!

 

they are designed, engineered and even labled to go on boot down

 

Yup, boot down.

 

NOTE 2003 model but I figure the shocks and mounting points are pretty close to the same for all models.

I replaced the factory shocks in 2009....I put them in the same way I took them out...

Strut upper....tower lower.... Dust boots upper..... bolts facing inboard If they were wrong they were wrong from the factory......as most have stated....no ill effects.

 

Mine has the boots down in the rear but they are the HD's (lift option) shocks. Body and shaft stroke are a bit longer; since the standard Bilsteins HD replacements were out of stock at the time. My truck does ride significantly rougher than stock and coming off of KYB's (CRAP!). It does deserve to be lifted for my shocks to function properly..

Now to find stiffer rear springs...