So I recently purchased a zone 2.5" lift kit for my dodge ram.
This lift kit consists of 2.5" spacers for the front, 2" block for the rear, and four new shocks.
I chose to do the install myself but... stuck bolts, lack of tools, and inexperience in the installation field made the process take a lot longer than it should, and i'm not done yet...

My plan was to be done today but I made a mistake, which is why i need your help.

I installed the rear lift and was pretty much done with the front lift when i remembered that I had forgotten to install the metal sleeves in the bushings on the lower shock mounts in the front.
So I unbolted the shock and shock tower and while it was still on the truck managed to install the sleeves. Because the sleeves were not in the bushings when I torqued the bolt, the shock mounts bent and now I cant get the shock back into the lower mount.

Any suggestions on how to get the shock in the lower mount would be greatly appreciated.

And one more question...zone offroad gave a recommended torque of 100ft/lbs. for the lower shock mounts both front and rear, yet before I even get past 70ft/lbs. the mounts start to bend and I have to stop. Any reason why this would be happening? And would it be ok just to leave them torqued at 70ft/lbs.?

 

Might be best to pull the springs and a little heat with a bfh lol. There right though 100 ft lb's on the shock mounts.

 

Omg phone typing lol. I meant add a little heat. Also they're not there.

 

If i torque those bolts to 100ft./lbs. the mount will be pressing against the shock itself though; limiting its movement and definitely damaging it.

i dont know what to do..

 

Post a pic. With the sleeves in place, the mount shouldn't collapse onto the shock.

To spread them out a little more, so you can actually get the shocks in there, just use a crowbar, or something similar to 'convince' them to open up a bit.

 

I'm gonna try again today and if I fail then I will post a pic.

It makes sense that the mounts shouldn't collapse which is why I was surprised that the rear lower mount did.

 

How much rust do you have? It obviously eats into the mounts and makes the steel thinner. Use a wrench on the opposite side to tighten the bolts.

 

Lift kit done!!!!

It looks awesome and everything finally went together.
Turns out I was only off on the lower rear shock mounts by 10 ft./lbs.

 

Awesome! How's it drive?

 

Drives great actually..suspension is a stiffer but thats expected..kinda feels like it handles better than before lol