Work required to add/remove coilover spacer shims?

Does anyone have an idea of how much needs to be done to drop the coilover far enough to add/remove spacer shims? I'm referring to the 1/4" thick plate ones.
Can you get enough droop to slim them in/out just by lifting the vehicle, loosening the lower shock bolt and removing the 4 coilover coil over nuts?
I ended up with a little less rake than I would have wanted, so I am planning to remove one from either side. Hoping I can sneak by without having to disconnect the LCA, loosen the alignment cams like you would if replacing the coilovers.

 

Great question ! I was unsuccessful when I attempted it with my 1 inch spacer that I have installed on top of my coilover..

 

You will need a new alignment if you disconnect the coilover from the mount. If it's a new install it will settle just a little. What is your setup for the front and rear? I have an idea that will probably work better if you are trying to increase your rake.

 

Correct, a realignment is understood, especially when changing the angles of the suspension components. I have the Bilstein 6112 at 1.9" with (2) shims on one side and (1) on the other. I have the Icon AAL that retains the factory overload and Bilsteins 5160s in the rear. I have about 7k miles on the setup now.
If I recall correctly, I have about a 1/2" rake and was wanting an inch, so removing one spacer each side should do it. Just trying to gauge how much of an event this will be. The install wasn't too bad, but took a full day to do mostly by myself. If I don't have to get into dropping the LCA, I can do it in my driveway without having to clean up the garage, which is in woodshop mode at the moment.

 

My fix will be perfect for what you want and a hell of a lot easier. 1/2 inch axle shims!! You will need 2 of them and a set of 7 inch u-bolts, and 2 c-clamps.

 

I had considered that as well. Do you need the center pin bolt as well? I am also at 1.5" lift in the rear, which is what the Bilsteins are rated at, if I recall, so I didn't want to go any higher.

 

The center pin bolts come with the shims. You will barely notice a difference with the 1/2 inch shims in the rear. It will give you the rake that you want and alot easier than pulling the front apart.

 

C

Can you add just one shim to the driver side rear leaf that has a lift block to correct for driver side lean? Thanks.

 

I would not combine a shim with a block. Driver side lean is usually corrected with a shim up front on the drivers side.....unless you have adjustable coilovers.

 

Understood. Thanks for the reply

 

To answer your original question about adding the front spacer, I just added one to my driver side last weekend and didn't need to remove the whole coilover. I just removed the 4 top hat nuts and disconnected the upper control arm from the spindle, then had someone put some weight on the brake disc and I was able to get the spacer in. Took about 25 minutes. I recently had an alignment so I'm just taking it back to have it rechecked.

 

Excellent. Thank you, I was hoping that might be the case. I was thinking I would try leaving/reinstalling the wheel and hanging a tractor weight on the tire if needed.

 

Following up on this, it looks like I'll have to drop the lower control arm. Loosening the upper and lower coilover fasteners, lifting the truck didn't provide enough droop.