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86 Bilstein grommets?

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Old May 13, 2008 | 12:05 PM
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Default 86 Bilstein grommets?

The lower rubber grommets on my OEM front Bilstein Gas shocks have slipped to the front of the shock base. Can these grommets or rubber bushings be replaced or are the shocks trash? As these are original shocks, I would like to repair rather than replace them if possible.
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Old May 13, 2008 | 01:06 PM
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Have you ever had them redone?

If you haven't, I think you'd be amazed what a difference new shocks can make. I just replaced my original Delcos on my '86 Pacer with Bilsteins this spring, and its a completely different car now.

The old shocks, you could compress them and there was no rebound whatsoever.
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Old May 14, 2008 | 01:46 AM
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Originally Posted by pmihaltian
As these are original shocks, I would like to repair rather than replace them if possible.
What sequence number is your Pace Car? You're positive the Bilsteins are the originals. I know of no '86 Pace Cars that didn't come with the black Delco Deflected Disc shocks. There were no suspension options for the convertible. What did the NCRS think?
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Old May 14, 2008 | 10:26 AM
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Originally Posted by Ray Quayle
What sequence number is your Pace Car? You're positive the Bilsteins are the originals. I know of no '86 Pace Cars that didn't come with the black Delco Deflected Disc shocks. There were no suspension options for the convertible. What did the NCRS think?
Ray - again you are correct. The car came with the black Delco Deflected Disc shocks. I took these OEM shocks off when the car was about 6 months old. They are still in original form stashed in my garage. When I took the OEM shocks off, I replaced them with OEM Z51 Bilsteins. These have been on the car ever since, but are now showing their age.

Yes, the NCRS judges deducted points for my Bilstein shocks. They judged them as OEM replacement shocks, a 20% point deduction, and also took off additional points for their condition. I lost points for the Bilsteins. When I get to the Regional and National NCRS events, I'll remove whatever shocks that I then have on the car and replace them with the original black Delco Deflected Disc shocks.

In the mean time, what do you think about these slipping rubber bushings? Should I try to have them repaired or just purchase a new set of Delco/Bilstein shocks? Please let me know what you think.

Thanks

Last edited by pmihaltian; May 14, 2008 at 10:29 AM. Reason: clarity
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Old May 14, 2008 | 02:36 PM
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Originally Posted by pmihaltian
Ray - again you are correct. The car came with the black Delco Deflected Disc shocks. I took these OEM shocks off when the car was about 6 months old. They are still in original form stashed in my garage. When I took the OEM shocks off, I replaced them with OEM Z51 Bilsteins. These have been on the car ever since, but are now showing their age.

Yes, the NCRS judges deducted points for my Bilstein shocks. They judged them as OEM replacement shocks, a 20% point deduction, and also took off additional points for their condition. I lost points for the Bilsteins. When I get to the Regional and National NCRS events, I'll remove whatever shocks that I then have on the car and replace them with the original black Delco Deflected Disc shocks.

In the mean time, what do you think about these slipping rubber bushings? Should I try to have them repaired or just purchase a new set of Delco/Bilstein shocks? Please let me know what you think.

Thanks
More good NCRS info Pete. Thanks again. For the bushings, I'd replace the shocks. If the shocks were reasonably new, maybe look at replacing the bushings, but with the years these have done, you got your money out of them. For $250, spring for another set of Bilsteins. If money is tight, the KYBs can be had for about $150 and even less for the ACDelcos.

Thanks again for the NCRS info. Please keep me informed as you progress through the Regional and National events.
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Old May 15, 2008 | 09:40 AM
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Originally Posted by Ray Quayle
More good NCRS info Pete. Thanks again. For the bushings, I'd replace the shocks. If the shocks were reasonably new, maybe look at replacing the bushings, but with the years these have done, you got your money out of them. For $250, spring for another set of Bilsteins. If money is tight, the KYBs can be had for about $150 and even less for the ACDelcos.

Thanks again for the NCRS info. Please keep me informed as you progress through the Regional and National events.
Thanks Ray. I think that your advice is sound. The Bilsteins that are sold at Ecklers, Mid-America and other Corvette parts vendors are not the same as the original GM Delco/Bilstein shocks. I have been told that the new Bilsteins are a little stiffer than the OEM shocks. Soooooo, I'll see if the original GM shocks are still available and if not, I'll purchase a set of the after-market Bilstein shocks.

Thanks for your advice.
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