Yeah, but he forgot to mention that he's eight feet tall.
Bilstein Shocks - Stupid Question
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 741
Likes: 37
From: Athens, GA
Bilstein Shocks - Stupid Question
I just got a set of Bilstein shocks from VB&P for my '95. I bought the Bilstein Sports (Z51 valving) instead of the Bilstein HD shocks based on my discussion with VB&P about my driving style (and my local roads).
I took all four out of their boxes (they sent me the wrong set the first time).
Here's the dumb question - why can't I move 'em???
Are these suckers so stiff that a mere mortal can't compress or decompress them? I push, I pull - and its like pushing or pulling a chunk of steel! Is it due to the gas pressure? I've only dealt with "regular" shocks for my other vehicles.
I'd prefer to solve this little puzzle before I put them on the car and find out that there is a 'secret handshake' routine that should have been followed prior to installation!
Thanks,
Steven
PS - If this is the intended operation, I guess the car will really handle like a go kart!!
I took all four out of their boxes (they sent me the wrong set the first time).
Here's the dumb question - why can't I move 'em???
Are these suckers so stiff that a mere mortal can't compress or decompress them? I push, I pull - and its like pushing or pulling a chunk of steel! Is it due to the gas pressure? I've only dealt with "regular" shocks for my other vehicles.
I'd prefer to solve this little puzzle before I put them on the car and find out that there is a 'secret handshake' routine that should have been followed prior to installation!
Thanks,
Steven
PS - If this is the intended operation, I guess the car will really handle like a go kart!!
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 40,156
Likes: 45
From: San Pedro CA
and ride like a truck....
however, a new shock will not compress by hand very easily. I put KYBs on my wifes 87 a couple weeks ago, and they would not move, unless I sat them on the pavement and put my 265lbs on them.
however, a new shock will not compress by hand very easily. I put KYBs on my wifes 87 a couple weeks ago, and they would not move, unless I sat them on the pavement and put my 265lbs on them.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 741
Likes: 37
From: Athens, GA
Originally Posted by bogus
and ride like a truck....
however, a new shock will not compress by hand very easily. I put KYBs on my wifes 87 a couple weeks ago, and they would not move, unless I sat them on the pavement and put my 265lbs on them.
however, a new shock will not compress by hand very easily. I put KYBs on my wifes 87 a couple weeks ago, and they would not move, unless I sat them on the pavement and put my 265lbs on them.
OK - I'll see what happens if I push using my body weight...
Thanks!
Steven
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 46,295
Likes: 2,596
From: Northern, VA
St. Jude Donor '15
"In honor of jpee"
Now, don't forget to tell us how the car rides, then how it handles, and finally how it sounds (if there's any change in that; probably not tho). I presume once you put them on, they're yours. But you still might like to keep the old ones around vs. throwing them out.
Good luck, Steven!!!
Good luck, Steven!!!
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 741
Likes: 37
From: Athens, GA
Originally Posted by LT4CompYell
Now, don't forget to tell us how the car rides, then how it handles, and finally how it sounds (if there's any change in that; probably not tho). I presume once you put them on, they're yours. But you still might like to keep the old ones around vs. throwing them out.
Good luck, Steven!!!
Good luck, Steven!!!
Handling, though, is a bit different. The Z52 car is more "go kart" like, while mine seems more content to plough around corners. My seat of the pants comparison between his Z52, my '95, and another guy's '02 SS Camaro has the Z52 a clear winner, and my '95 and the SS close.
The other thing that decided it for me really occurred prior to any handling tests - when I got the car, I cleaned up the front suspension as betst I could. In my periodic inspections, I'm seeing a build up of accumulated oil/dirt (combining to look like grease, but it's not) at the base of the shocks (both sides). This isn't the expected oil film that the FSM discusses - its coming from the piston area, running down to the mount, and collecting dirt and dust. So, time to change!
I'm planning to document the procedure, and I'll certainly report back what differences I feel. I'll also keep the old ones for the next owner (I already have a big plastic box for old parts!).
Steven
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 741
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From: Athens, GA
Problem Solved!
I have now added new knowledge to my Corvette data bank -
When you get your new Bilsteins, put them on the floor, and push them down with all your might. You will hear a little 'gurgling' sound, and then voila! the shock will move! It isn't easy, but it does. Once you get past the initial gurgling noise, then it is easier. I exercised each shock about ten strokes (full travel), and now I can skip my next workout!
I wonder if this explains some of the "ride height" change issues that have been posted in other threads. I'll take ride height measurements before and after and see if there's a difference in mine.
Thanks for all the help!
Steven
When you get your new Bilsteins, put them on the floor, and push them down with all your might. You will hear a little 'gurgling' sound, and then voila! the shock will move! It isn't easy, but it does. Once you get past the initial gurgling noise, then it is easier. I exercised each shock about ten strokes (full travel), and now I can skip my next workout!
I wonder if this explains some of the "ride height" change issues that have been posted in other threads. I'll take ride height measurements before and after and see if there's a difference in mine.
Thanks for all the help!
Steven
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Racer
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 399
Likes: 2
From: Newtown PA
My base suspension 95 came with flacid Bilsteins. I dont recall them being very difficult to compress and they had very little resistance in rebound (I replaced them with Koni sport adjustables in early 1996).
However, back a longggg time ago I purchased Bilsteins for my then brand new 79 Firebird WS6 Trans Am. The base shocks did not do a good job of controlling the solid rear axle so I tried the Bilsteins. I remember them being extremely difficult to compress also. They cured most of my concerns with the solid rear axle and they noticeably increased the ride height of the car, especially in the rear. This was OK, however, as the rear leaf springs in those 2nd generation F-bodies tended to sag over time giving the car an undesirable(IMO) backwards rake.
However, back a longggg time ago I purchased Bilsteins for my then brand new 79 Firebird WS6 Trans Am. The base shocks did not do a good job of controlling the solid rear axle so I tried the Bilsteins. I remember them being extremely difficult to compress also. They cured most of my concerns with the solid rear axle and they noticeably increased the ride height of the car, especially in the rear. This was OK, however, as the rear leaf springs in those 2nd generation F-bodies tended to sag over time giving the car an undesirable(IMO) backwards rake.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 741
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From: Athens, GA
Originally Posted by lefoy84
This may sound obvious, but they usually come compressed and held that way by some kind of strap that must be removed.
Even I would have noticed a strap (or some other external object) holding the shock in compression. I'm just glad that I tried Andy's recommendation with my full body weight!
Steven
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 7,858
Likes: 2
Originally Posted by LT4CompYell
Now, don't forget to tell us how the car rides, then how it handles, and finally how it sounds (if there's any change in that; probably not tho). I presume once you put them on, they're yours. But you still might like to keep the old ones around vs. throwing them out.
Good luck, Steven!!!
Good luck, Steven!!!
I've thought about installing the Z51 Bilstein's on my '95 also. I'm very interested to hear how this works out. 
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 8,700
Likes: 298
From: Ft. Lauderdale Fl
Originally Posted by bogus
and ride like a truck....
however, a new shock will not compress by hand very easily. I put KYBs on my wifes 87 a couple weeks ago, and they would not move, unless I sat them on the pavement and put my 265lbs on them.
however, a new shock will not compress by hand very easily. I put KYBs on my wifes 87 a couple weeks ago, and they would not move, unless I sat them on the pavement and put my 265lbs on them.
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 13,960
Likes: 707
From: WI
I just installed Bilsteins to, no problems installing other then not being able to torque the top nut. It doesn't reach what the book says before the rubber bulges way out. So I set it so that the bushing looks tensioned. I didn't try to excersise them, it'd be my luck I'd bend it. No ride height changes.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 6,050
Likes: 147
From: Phoenix AZ
2021 C4 of the Year - Modified Finalist
shocks
I installed bilsteins om my 86, and they had plastic restraints on the shocks. But:
in the meantime, I got some used KYB, monroe, bilstein, and what looked like (don't laugh) sears shocks (maremount shocks)
out of the junk yard to try different ones to see how I liked them.
The Kyb were really stiff and the bilsteins were firmer than my originals.
The sears ones were just like the monroes, kinda like my originals.
Don't know if that helps, but I only spent 40 bucks cause they only wanted 2.50 for "used" shocks and they let me pick and choose what ones I wanted, and cause I had so many in the milk crate.
I picked ones that looked fairly new with what appeared to be almost new bushings on them.
I kept the KYB shocks because they were stiffer than the bilstiens, and if I get a wild hair, I put them on, and race around a little, and put the bilsteins back on cause I'm a wuss and like a better ride.
in the meantime, I got some used KYB, monroe, bilstein, and what looked like (don't laugh) sears shocks (maremount shocks)
out of the junk yard to try different ones to see how I liked them.
The Kyb were really stiff and the bilsteins were firmer than my originals.
The sears ones were just like the monroes, kinda like my originals.
Don't know if that helps, but I only spent 40 bucks cause they only wanted 2.50 for "used" shocks and they let me pick and choose what ones I wanted, and cause I had so many in the milk crate.
I picked ones that looked fairly new with what appeared to be almost new bushings on them.
I kept the KYB shocks because they were stiffer than the bilstiens, and if I get a wild hair, I put them on, and race around a little, and put the bilsteins back on cause I'm a wuss and like a better ride.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 6,050
Likes: 147
From: Phoenix AZ
2021 C4 of the Year - Modified Finalist
shocks
OH BTW,
I had a machine shop machine upper shock mount biscuits out of polyeurethane because the rubber bushings took up most of the movement, and the shocks seemed lazy.
It firmed up the ride a tad, but it seemed to respond better to corners.
Oh btw,
I replaced my hollow sway bar with a solid bar out of an 84 and now it CORNERS!!
I had a machine shop machine upper shock mount biscuits out of polyeurethane because the rubber bushings took up most of the movement, and the shocks seemed lazy.
It firmed up the ride a tad, but it seemed to respond better to corners.
Oh btw,
I replaced my hollow sway bar with a solid bar out of an 84 and now it CORNERS!!