Shocking! A little help please.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 243
Likes: 23
From: Vancouver WA
Shocking! A little help please.
Hello all, I have a couple of questions if its not too much trouble...
I searched the Internet for installation info but couldn't find anything specific to my application.
I installed a new set of Billy's on the front of my 92 c4. The instructions (which are not designed for the home mechanic) seemed to indicate that you should use the included hardware with the shocks and discard the factory bushings. Factory bushing in the top mounting hole went all the way through the hole with a hole in it just large enough for the shock rod. I removed them (had to cut them out), and used the included hardware. The new top rubber has a small boss on it that just barely goes into the mounting hole, and the bottom rubber had no boss at all. I am worried about the shock rod moving around in the hole while driving.
I tightened the top bolt until the rubbers just became the same diameter as the washers. Is that correct?
Also, I hear squeaking coming from there while driving the car and I am wondering if I should have greased those rubbers before I installed them. If so, what kind of grease?
Thanks for all the help.
I searched the Internet for installation info but couldn't find anything specific to my application.
I installed a new set of Billy's on the front of my 92 c4. The instructions (which are not designed for the home mechanic) seemed to indicate that you should use the included hardware with the shocks and discard the factory bushings. Factory bushing in the top mounting hole went all the way through the hole with a hole in it just large enough for the shock rod. I removed them (had to cut them out), and used the included hardware. The new top rubber has a small boss on it that just barely goes into the mounting hole, and the bottom rubber had no boss at all. I am worried about the shock rod moving around in the hole while driving.
I tightened the top bolt until the rubbers just became the same diameter as the washers. Is that correct?
Also, I hear squeaking coming from there while driving the car and I am wondering if I should have greased those rubbers before I installed them. If so, what kind of grease?
Thanks for all the help.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 6,528
Likes: 752
From: South Dakota
I changed to bilstein's a few weeks ago too.
Yes the bushings are different, but the Bilstein bushings work fine. How you tightened them should be good also. That is how I did mine too and they don't move around while driving.
I have never greased the bushings and I don't think it is needed. I do not know where your squeaking is coming from, but mine don't. Could it be something else in your suspension?
Yes the bushings are different, but the Bilstein bushings work fine. How you tightened them should be good also. That is how I did mine too and they don't move around while driving.
I have never greased the bushings and I don't think it is needed. I do not know where your squeaking is coming from, but mine don't. Could it be something else in your suspension?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 243
Likes: 23
From: Vancouver WA
Well it's possible but the squeaking (sounds like rubber being rubbed against itself) only appeared right after the shock replacement.
I will grease them a bit to help with that but I don't want to put the wrong type of grease that will eat the rubber or dry it out. Thanks for the reply.
I will grease them a bit to help with that but I don't want to put the wrong type of grease that will eat the rubber or dry it out. Thanks for the reply.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 34,873
Likes: 487
From: Lacey WA RVN 68-69
NCM Sinkhole Donor
I've gone thru two sets of Bilstein Z51 specific shocks on my '87 autocross car and never had a problem with squeaking. Did you clean the mounting surfaces of the upper shock tower? I never used any sort of grease on the upper bushing; installed them dry and they don't move.
As far as tightening the upper mount, the bushing should be just even with or just outside of the upper washer with the car at ride height and the suspension loaded. One nice thing about the C4 front shocks is that they can be installed without raising the car!
It's possible that the sway bar mounting bushing are squeaking. The end links shouldn't squeak. One thing that you might tru is to squirt some silicone spray into the upper control arm bushings. If that doesn't work, spray the lower control arm bushing.
As far as tightening the upper mount, the bushing should be just even with or just outside of the upper washer with the car at ride height and the suspension loaded. One nice thing about the C4 front shocks is that they can be installed without raising the car!
It's possible that the sway bar mounting bushing are squeaking. The end links shouldn't squeak. One thing that you might tru is to squirt some silicone spray into the upper control arm bushings. If that doesn't work, spray the lower control arm bushing.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 243
Likes: 23
From: Vancouver WA
Went for a drive today and somehow the squeaking seems to be gone. But I do remember that the squeaking was more noticeable when going over speed bumps. Perhaps it was there all along and I just never noticed. Still getting used to the car and it's quirks and personality. Thanks again for the info!
