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After months of backorder my shocks came in from supporting sponsor.
i am replacing ac delcos gas made in mexico shocks where one of my front shocks broke and replaced with USA bilstein B6 wow what a difference, the hype is worth it…not harsh…
now the rears..made in Mexico???? Damn.. oh well if i knew that i would have gone another USA brand..
- the rear b6 is 3/4 shorter than the replacements? Is this ok? I had to jack up bottom strut to get it on and so the rear suspension When lifted mow is stopped by the shock..? This ok?
manual says 2.2 inches center bolt upper and lower when torquing..i basically lifted it until off quickjack and torqued 50 NM
Reading the manual i also put the bottom washer the wrong way..it should flare out not in so that is correct…seems illogical but…
heh it came with stickers..
rain stops should be interesting test drive!
ps ac delco gas shocks suck…one broke and only 8 thousand miles 2 years broke one and the rears i can compress between my arms..and when returning sounds like pigs snorting….junk Says D height 2.2 in hes when torquing 3/4 shorter?? Damn..mexico..paint thin too I had washer wrong bottom see note
Last edited by interpon; Jul 10, 2021 at 05:27 PM.
I noticed that my Bilstiens were a bit shorter as well. But I have the B8's in the rear. So I figured that was normal. I have a glass spring and slightly lowered rear. So seemed perfect for me. a have about 3 thousand miles on them now and I'm very happy with them. I live in Australia so I had to have them shipped over. cost me double what the guys in the states pay. And I'm still happy. I'd say, go for a drive down a bumpy road to settle them in and judge for yourself. I'm thinking you have a steel spring with B6's. Let us know what you think after you put some miles on them.
It would bother me that the shock is extended out and becoming the down stop.
I tried looking up my rear qa1s. I think that they're 15 inches extended. So my smart struts are the limiting factor. I can have the rear tires off the ground and remove the shocks
You would think the concave washers would "cup" the rubber bushings/grommets similar to the top grommets of a front shock?
My '68 stock rear suspension shocks limit the lower travel. My truck shocks also limit the lower travel
I can remember that when I had Gas adjustable Kby or Kyb and then Koni that I had to use a floor Jack to compress the shocks enough to slip them over the lower mounting point
I noticed that my Bilstiens were a bit shorter as well. But I have the B8's in the rear. So I figured that was normal. I have a glass spring and slightly lowered rear. So seemed perfect for me. a have about 3 thousand miles on them now and I'm very happy with them. I live in Australia so I had to have them shipped over. cost me double what the guys in the states pay. And I'm still happy. I'd say, go for a drive down a bumpy road to settle them in and judge for yourself. I'm thinking you have a steel spring with B6's. Let us know what you think after you put some miles on them.
steel 9 leaf…474# front springs
1 11/8 front bar factory rear 7/16 bar rear
banged about 45 miles..it first felt like i was on air shocks.. mentally thought it was jacked up..it’s not..
i would not hesitate to recommend b6 for street.. zero harshness
i could see if plastic spring on those ac delcos they would bounce after newness wears off.
no experience b8 but i would imagine they would be fine too..
i should note my air pressure is 2 psi above door recommendation.
based on comments i will not worry the shock is limiting factor..thank you.
hard turning seems slightly better but nothing like changing the fronts..big difference there.
this week warranty caliper and no rain will beat on it some more.
i need to stop spending $
real cool cars..almost 10,000 miles since i got it 2 years ago..handles and keeps up with modern cars and smooth very impressive..
ride height same 28 1/4 to 28 5/8 all 4 I run 2 psi more than recommended low pressures 22 and 28 psi
Last edited by interpon; Jul 10, 2021 at 08:17 PM.
Not sure what tires your running, but willing to bet not original. I run Coopers and 32 PSI all around, have for many years. Door sticker pressures are for the original tires. Strongly recommend you disregard them.
Not sure what tires your running, but willing to bet not original. I run Coopers and 32 PSI all around, have for many years. Door sticker pressures are for the original tires. Strongly recommend you disregard them.
BFTA brown letters ..same size as original steel radials..
ive tried a lot of pressure…i like the ride and handling at the lower settings and add a few pounds cold.. I’m rarely 80mph plus for any length of time
Edit….i also notified vendor that clearly advertised 🇺🇸
Last edited by interpon; Jul 10, 2021 at 11:04 PM.
I believe that the concave washer is installed that way to put more squeeze in the middle of that rubber to help it stay centered and to prevent the rubber from 'walking out' of the shock loop.
Bilstein b6 HD rear shocks install
