Bilstein Shocks don't fit right on 96 Blazer 4WD LT
 

Hello Everyone,

I am working on a 96 Blazer 4WD LT, with Torsion Bar front suspension. Everything is factory stock and I have owned the truck since new.

I am replacing the front Bilstein shocks. I am removing "Sport" version (P/N f4-B46-1413-HO) and putting on the standard HD version (P/N 24-187831). According to the Bilstein catalog, both should work for my truck, the Sport is just a little bit firmer ride.

The upper and lower metal sleeve (that the shock bolts go thru) is too big to fit the suspension. I measure the hardware on the old shock at 41.29mm and the new shock is 42.38mm......that's 1mm too wide to fit the mounting brackets on my truck.

I guess I could grind the metal sleeve on the new shocks down to size but it's hard to believe that Bilstein's catalog is wrong and their shocks don't fit. Has anyone else had trouble with shocks fitting the brackets on the Blazer?

Bilstein customer service is closed for the holiday until January....any ideas?

Thanks

I think mine where tight but not that much. Think I persuaded them with a BFH

I was about to say BFH or a grinder will make em fit.

I just installed Bilstein shocks (front/rear) on my Blazer that I bought off Ebay .... Didn't have any issues putting them on ... it might be worth the wait to call Customer Service to see if they sent you the correct ones before you go pounding away or grinding things up on your ride ... just my .02cents

I`m also thinking someone else may have had smaller ones in there and torqued the nut and bolt pinching the slot closed a bit