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How do these shocks go on???

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Old Jul 31, 2013 | 09:42 PM
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Default How do these shocks go on???

Do I have the washer order in the picture correct? There was no instructions in the box and AIM does not show the black washer (2nd from the bottom in this picture.



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Old Jul 31, 2013 | 09:56 PM
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Looks correct, should be washer, rubber, hole in A-Arm , rubber, washer then bolt.
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Old Jul 31, 2013 | 09:57 PM
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Originally Posted by rbowman
Looks correct, should be washer, rubber, hole in A-Arm , rubber, washer then bolt.
Thanks but my concern was the "extra" black washer (the 2nd one from the bottom. Is this the correct location for this washer?
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Old Jul 31, 2013 | 10:09 PM
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Try flipping your rubbers over. There should be a small collar of rubber against the rod.
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Old Jul 31, 2013 | 10:16 PM
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Originally Posted by noonie
Try flipping your rubbers over. There should be a small collar of rubber against the rod.
The rubbers look the same on both ends. Here is what came with the Bilstein HDs, Im not sure about the black washer:

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Old Aug 1, 2013 | 01:29 AM
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I think the black washer goes on under the nut. (That's how I installed mine)
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Old Aug 1, 2013 | 02:16 AM
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Looking more closely at your pics, it looks like the thin metal washer has a small centering collar on it, so it would fit in the center between the two grommets to locate the shaft.
Often times the top washer has a slight hex dimple stamped into it, otherwise it really doesn't matter. Plated will probably look better longer than black oxide in the engine compartment.
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Old Aug 1, 2013 | 04:40 AM
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The only parts in tht second photo that are the same are the 2 rubber cushions. The 2 bright-metal washers are differently shaped on the outer diameter and on the inner holes.

I believe that your first photo is nearly correct, but that the black metal washer and the bright-metal one next to it should be swapped. The black washer is more sturdy, to take the load from the piston rod.

Last edited by 7T1vette; Aug 1, 2013 at 04:43 AM.
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Old Aug 1, 2013 | 12:07 PM
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I went through this when I installed my Bilstein HDs. I can't remember the correct order but I remember finding a foreign language version set of instructions on the web somewhere and it had an exploded diagram that showed where everything was supposed to go. For some reason, I no longer have the link bookmarked and it didn't show up with a quick google search.

I did find this link to another forum that might help:

http://www.smokinvette.com/corvettef...ad.php?t=55481

DC
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Old Aug 1, 2013 | 01:19 PM
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Originally Posted by DC3
I went through this when I installed my Bilstein HDs. I can't remember the correct order but I remember finding a foreign language version set of instructions on the web somewhere and it had an exploded diagram that showed where everything was supposed to go. For some reason, I no longer have the link bookmarked and it didn't show up with a quick google search.

I did find this link to another forum that might help:

http://www.smokinvette.com/corvettef...ad.php?t=55481

DC
Thanks for the link but I think the way the person installed it in that thread makes no sense. Ill keep searching.....
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Old Aug 1, 2013 | 01:36 PM
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Originally Posted by rafalc
Thanks for the link but I think the way the person installed it in that thread makes no sense. Ill keep searching.....
From the linked thread:

I believe the order of the bushings and washers for the Bilsteins would be as follows starting from the bottom - dark thick washer, rubber busing, thin shinny washer with the "shoulder"/"lip" pointing up; then on top - rubber bushing, thick shinny washer and nut.
Frankly, it makes perfect sense.
You either need collared grommets or a collared cup washer to keep the shock rod centered in the hole of the shock tower. Otherwise the rod will just rattle around in the shock tower hole. (Wife had a tire store once install the grommets upside down when installing shocks in her car and that's what happens.)
I'm sure if you test fit the thin lipped washer, it will fit perfectly in the larger shock tower hole.
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Old Aug 1, 2013 | 01:40 PM
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Originally Posted by noonie
From the linked thread:



Frankly, it makes perfect sense.
You either need collared grommets or a collared cup washer to keep the shock rod centered in the hole of the shock tower. Otherwise the rod will just rattle around in the shock tower hole. (Wife had a tire store once install the grommets upside down when installing shocks in her car and that's what happens.)
I'm sure if you test fit the thin lipped washer, it will fit perfectly in the larger shock tower hole.
I see what you mean, I will test fit it but why would the nice shiny washer be hidden right under the shock tower hole. I was going to try putting the black washer there and keeping the shiny one on the bottom. Or possible that the black washer goes on top of the shock tower opening. I'll let you guys know what I find out.
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Old Aug 1, 2013 | 01:47 PM
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The washer that seats against the shoulder at the bottom of the threaded member is what takes all the load. The thick-metal washer goes there, I believe. The thin bright metal washer is just a retainer for the rubber bushing.
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Old Aug 1, 2013 | 01:56 PM
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Originally Posted by rafalc
I see what you mean, I will test fit it but why would the nice shiny washer be hidden right under the shock tower hole. I was going to try putting the black washer there and keeping the shiny one on the bottom. Or possible that the black washer goes on top of the shock tower opening. I'll let you guys know what I find out.
From your first pic, the two heavy washers seems to be the same thickness, so I doubt it matters if you interchange them.
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Old Aug 1, 2013 | 02:25 PM
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Originally Posted by rafalc
Thanks for the link but I think the way the person installed it in that thread makes no sense. Ill keep searching.....
Noonie has it figured out. I checked for you and found that my installation matched that of post #3 in the link which matches the foreign language instructions I found on the internet.

DC
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Old Aug 1, 2013 | 02:46 PM
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Default Washer and Bushing install on Bilstein Shocks

I found this video.
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Old Aug 1, 2013 | 05:34 PM
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Originally Posted by mikep3
I found this video.
Your video did not post but I found this one:

Thanks everyone.
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Old Aug 1, 2013 | 06:12 PM
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Not to hijack the thread, BUT......


Does anyone know who shot the video, or where they are located?? I'm 99.9% sure that one of my buddies at one time owned the Corvette in the video. The paint job is unique, and that's what caught my eye....
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Old Aug 1, 2013 | 09:28 PM
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Originally Posted by leadfoot4
Not to hijack the thread, BUT......


Does anyone know who shot the video, or where they are located?? I'm 99.9% sure that one of my buddies at one time owned the Corvette in the video. The paint job is unique, and that's what caught my eye....
You can probably go to the video's youtube page instead of playing it from here and leave a comment for whoever posted it.
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Old Aug 1, 2013 | 09:38 PM
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rafalc...

Your video photo in post #17 refreshes my memory. The thicker black washer DOES go on the bottom. But the other thin, bright washer goes on top of the bottom cushion. (That one is NOT a thick washer; it just has a rolled-up edge on it.)

Good luck with your install.
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