Catch 22 on Ride Height/Alignment

[cab83_750]

I just installed my newly revalved Bilsteins struts and shocks.

Observations prior to the revalve:

1. I was able to manually compress the 4-year old struts.
2. If I put the shocks side by side, I was able to compress them easily and all the way down using my weight.
3. If I put the struts side by side, I was also able to compress them using my weight.
4. The top nut just rotates with the strut at installation even with a channel-lock holding the strut cover.


Observations after revalve:
1. I need to hire Arnold to compress the struts
Compression was impossible; I had to use some tie-downs to compress them.
2. Side-by-side, I can longer compress the struts all the way with my body weight; just barely half-way.
3. The top nut tightens without the strut-tower rotating with it.
4. My ride height is now screwed up.


I am posting this 'for information purposes only'. So far (even though I was expecting it) I am somewhat disappointed that my car is higher than normal; I will be driving it for a while before readjusting.

I drove the car for about 5 miles and I think I need a lot more miles before I can evaluate this extra expense.

[MotoSook]

You need to provide a little more information about the revalve job, spec? Also, did you just replace the strut inserts and shocks, without touching the ride height adjustment? T-bars changed? Was the revalve performed by Bilstein? Are they new?