hi all..

the shocks on my 90 coupe are shot....are the bilstein shocks the same from 89-95, or are there differences?

thanks

 

I think (?) 89-91 are same; 92-95 same.

Fronts and rears are different of course.

Actuators (front) interchangeable, actuators (rear) interchangeable 89-95?

Pete

 

Damn..i found it out the hard way..

i installed them on a few hours ago, drove around a bit...service ride control :mad

i noticed that the gear on top..on the old ones ..180° movement, on the new ones.. 120° movement..

but, to my apologize, my dealer insured, sweared, aso, me that this were the wright shocks..

and now ...what should i do?

any possibilities ?

or will i have to order again?

ah yes..my car is a 90, the new shocks are designed for 92-95, i ve found out at bilsteins website..


i have waited 4-four!!!!! months, spent 950 $ and now, they don´t work
:(

 

As mentioned 89-91 then 92-95

Actuators the same

The dealer should make things right since it was their error. The best thing to do is to have your stock ones rebuilt, but since you're in Austria it's a chore.

 

ok..update..

i called bilstein, and they can recondition my shocks, and its not too expensive..

now, i must put in some el cheapos, what to do with the SRC-light?

should i live with it, for a few weeks, opr can i unplug the SRC-Module?

does it hurt anything?

should i remove the actuaror motors, ore leave them connected?

please give me some advice

Thanks..

 

The alternative is to get a later model controller. It is located behind the drivers seat in the storage well with the ABS pump, towards the center of the car.

Rippie, Mid America, almost all the suppliers have either the replacement unit or one that has had a socket installed to replace the PROM. If you are capable with electronics, you can remove the PROM and install a socket, then get a PROM from Bilstein.

When I had my shocks rebuilt, they did them to the later model specs. Seems they are better than the early versions. You already have the shocks, and a controller runs around $200. Knowing what I do now, I'd find someone to solder the socket in. I wasn't very pleased with the quality of the work when I got mine. I'm NASA Level 5 qualified for electronics repair, and I had to fix 4 cold-solder joints on the one I got from Rippie.

The other thing is that the Bilstein replacement shocks (do not confuse this with the OEM shocks) have a Lifetime warranty. They will repair or replace the shocks for free for as long as you own the car. The OEM shocks have a 1-year warranty.

 

ok...

i called bilstein, and they will repair my shocks..

when they rebuilt your shocks, did the valve sprocket turn 90°, or 180°?

my original ones, 89-91, ba5-7001 turned 180°, the one i got, ba5-7028 turns 90°

i would say, that the SRC-light is triggered´, because the new ones doesn´t turn 180°, i don´t think its triggered by internal changes in pressure, valving aso

another issue..

rebuild is 150$ each, new one is 500$ each :eek: i live in Austria!!!

 

Mine turned 180 degrees when they came out. They now turn 90 degrees. The response time is much faster on the newer style shocks.

Like I said, if you (or someone you know) can remove the PROM from the controller and install a socket for it, you can upgrade your shocks to the newer style. Bilstein will need to replace the tubes on them (and with the price they gave you are planning to do so anyway), and the total will still be $150. Make sure you tell them this is what you are doing, and they will install the correct tubes for the rebuild.

You'll just need the newer PROM from Bilstein as well. They should be able to send it with the shocks.

I'd just install a set of shocks (like adjustable Koni's or something like them) until the FX3's are back. Ignore the light, and remove the shock actuators until the rebuilt shocks arrive. Make sure you wrap the connectors, and tie a piece of string to the rear wire harnesses to make sure they don't get lost inside the frame rails. Secure the string to the replacement shocks.

 

hi Joe

thanks for your reply..

the shocks turns me mad..but i cannot drive with 2 * 180° and 2 * 90°

is it really necessary to replace the tubes? i don´t think so, they look really nice, no scores or scratches..the only thing is the seal that is leaking i think

hope you answer me again..

 

ah yes..if really some soldering is needed. i can do it myself, ..no problem..

thanks for your advice..

but i still dont know, what to do..

when they rebuild it to 90°..neverending story :confused:

 

and yes, i forget to mention, that the front shocks are in good condition, only rears are shot

 

Even though "only" 2 shocks seem to need a repair now, all 4 have been through the same duty-cycles. You should really have all 4 rebuilt at the same time. The other 2 may be a few months (or a few years) from failure.

I think that Bilstein's basic rebuild now includes the replacement of the valve-tube. Their price used to be $100/ea for basic and $150/ea if they needed to replace the valve-tube. They may have had a lot of returns because they have a 1-year warranty on the rebuild, and IF they didn't replace the tubes on the original rebuild, they would have to pay for the rebuild out of their pocket if the tubes started to leak.

I did all of mine at the same time. I didn't want to have to go through it twice.

 

yes you are sure right...

problems problems..

i will talk to my dealer tomorrow..

thanks again..

 

update..

my delaer told me today, that i can install the new shocks, and the SRC-Module can be programmed to accept them

anyone heard of this?

thanks

 

Yes, it is just like I was saying. They upgrade the PROM in the SRC to the later specs.

It then looks for 90 degrees of movement instead of the 180 degrees of the older model. Like I said, with the socket installed, you can also get different PROMs done for different driving conditions (or...in the case of Doug Rippie you can get PROMs tuned for individual tracks).

 

ok, Joe, i understand.. different movement 90-180° = different chip

but my dealer told me, to install the 90°, and program the stock chip ( 180°) with a tech1 ...

so i will have two 90° in rear and two 180° in front..and all this with the stock chip?

thanks

 

I'm not an expert, but I don't think that will work. Hopefully someone else out there will chime in.

I think all 4 shocks need to be the same for the controller to work properly.