Suspension Bilstien rear shocks

[Mustang5L5]

I'm having trouble figuring these out. They are 94/04 shocks but that shouldn't matter. Not enough threads to engage the nuts.

Circlip everytinh bottoms out on

You can see the stackup minus the dust boot gives me 1/4"

But the spacer in the boot is more than that. So with everything installed I have no thread

I've pushed and pulled and rearranged but can't get a nut on these. All pics I find show this exact arrangement.

Both shocks do this

 

[BlakeusMaximus]

Would installing them in the car with the weight pushing down on them give you the extra room to tighten the nut?? Mount them on the bottom, guide the shock threads in the hole while letting the car down on the ground then tighten? Maybe the lower bushing will compress enough to get you the room you need. Maybe I’m totally wrong, or maybe I’m a idiot and you already tried that.

 

[Mustang5L5]

Can't get the axle to articulate that far up with the spring in. Would need to remove it and then jack the axle up. I kinda feel that if that's what I need to do then something is off

 

[dgollem]

Those rubber bushings usually squeeze up a lot when you tighten everything up. Maybe you can pre squeeze them some by using a nut and bolt to compress them before placing on the shock. I don't know how much they will spring back but it looks like you only need a bit more to get it on. Good Luck

 

[Mustang5L5]

Tried jacking one side up all the way but it only lifts the car. I tried using the worn bushings from old shocks but they don't fit right but I'm albe to get it to squeeze down. Problem is when I go to swap the new bushing in it relaxes

This is what I got on both sides. Can't catch a single thread

 

[Mustang5L5]

Figured it out.


This washer...

Is on the wrong side of the clip.

See page two of the MM coil-over instructions for bilstien shocks. They show the washer between the bump stop and clip. Obviously my setup is not correct here.

https://www.maximummotorsports.com/Assets/install/pdf/rear_susp/MMCO-3r4.pdf

 

[Mustang5L5]

Flipped the washer to other side of clip...much better

 

[BlakeusMaximus]

You were able to reuse the clip?

 

[Mustang5L5]

You were able to reuse the clip?

Yes sir.

MM does sell replacement clips for $2....plus $19 s&h