Bilstein Shock Install
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 19,691
Likes: 322
From: Alexandria VA
Bilstein Shock Install
So running bilsteins on the 1996; shocks are "old" so looking to get a new set. The issue is that when I install them, I have to use the jack to raise on the LCA to raise the suspension; basically the shock is too short.
The issue arises on the track. Since the shock is bottoming out on some turns, this basically forces the momentum of the upright/wheel/UCA into the lower ball joint. I've had it twice where the lower ball joint (moog) has unseated itself.
More information: car started out as an '84 but I put a '96 cross member on it and am running 96 suspension pieces. I snagged another (used) pair of bilsteins off a 1996 (I pulled them) and they're the exact same lengths as the current ones.
Is this just the way things are? Am I doing something wrong? Any other shock that's considered stock-ish that's better than the bilsteins?
And before you suggest, I can't run coil-overs :*(
The issue arises on the track. Since the shock is bottoming out on some turns, this basically forces the momentum of the upright/wheel/UCA into the lower ball joint. I've had it twice where the lower ball joint (moog) has unseated itself.
More information: car started out as an '84 but I put a '96 cross member on it and am running 96 suspension pieces. I snagged another (used) pair of bilsteins off a 1996 (I pulled them) and they're the exact same lengths as the current ones.
Is this just the way things are? Am I doing something wrong? Any other shock that's considered stock-ish that's better than the bilsteins?
And before you suggest, I can't run coil-overs :*(
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 19,691
Likes: 322
From: Alexandria VA
Edit: if you could get me a rough height difference, that would be awesome. . . or I could just run the '84 bilstein struts up front. . .
Last edited by RandomTask; May 17, 2024 at 08:33 PM.
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 4,564
Likes: 1,676
Yes, the shocks are the same length.
Look at a set of 84-87 lower A-arms and see how high the shock mount is?
Look at a set of 88-96 lower A-arms and see how low the shock mount is?
The difference is taken up by the location of the upper shock tower. the 84-87 sits higher. The 88-96 sits lower.
You have now created an issue where you are using a 96 control arm that has a lower shock mount and now has a higher top mount than expected to go with that 96 lower A-arm.
Look at a set of 84-87 lower A-arms and see how high the shock mount is?
Look at a set of 88-96 lower A-arms and see how low the shock mount is?
The difference is taken up by the location of the upper shock tower. the 84-87 sits higher. The 88-96 sits lower.
You have now created an issue where you are using a 96 control arm that has a lower shock mount and now has a higher top mount than expected to go with that 96 lower A-arm.
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