So I'm putting on a set (4) of Bilstein shocks on my 2011 F350.

Rears went great! Torq'd to repair manual specs.

Front no so! Had a heck of a time getting the top nut off.
I had to take off the inner wheel well and break out the air ratchet.
Installed the new Bilstein. Went to torq down the top nut.
Repair manual says 46lb-ft But I can only get about 20lbs
before the rubber bushing start looking like an "O" ring about 3/8" thick.

Should I continue to crank down until I get to 46lbs or what ??????

Thank You!

 

Welcome to the site..

Make sure the suspension isn't hanging on the shocks top bushing when tightening. If the truck is lifted for/ during the replacement, it can drop the suspension and make starting the top nut difficult, and put extra stress on the top bushing during tightening...

 

The front shock installed easy.

My concern is with the top nut torque specs.

As stated above, I'm not even close to 46lb-ft and it is flattening out the top bushings.

 

Not sure on the shocks torque, but if both halves of the bushing are equal in the amount they flatten (?), I'd tighten the stem nut down enough to make them bulge out slightly beyond the bushing washer/retainers OD. Squashing or over flattening them out, will most likely cause them to split.

 

OK, Thanks!