Posted in General 2 days ago but no help yet!

My son purchased a new set of Bilstein shocks for his '92 direct from the factory. Today we attempted to change the front shocks - up went the car and off came the shocks - not too much of a problem (one top nut had to be taken off with a "nut-cutter" but other than that things were fine - threads on the shocks clean and undamaged.

However, when it came time to put the new ones on, everything went together great except the new top nut won't tighten (without the shaft turning). The minute the self-locking nut (included with the shocks) hits the blue plastic internal ring, the shaft begins to spin. There is NO place to hold the shaft (unlike the Delco Bilsteins) on the new factory shocks.

I am unable to draw the shock spacers tight because I can't tighten the nut. We put the "assembly" under load (as if the car was on the ground/tire) but it makes no difference. According to the instructions, tourque is a simple 24lb but I know I have to penetrate that blue internal seal so I can draw up the slack in the shock/bushings - just can't figure out how!

I'm a bit puzzled by this because the nuts we removed from the Declo Bilsteins had a simple nut - no self-locking type or even a lock washer! I purchased a set of 3/8" coarse (#8) nuts and lock washers to use instead of the nuts that came with the shocks - plus using HD Stud & Bearing Loctite on the bolt threads above the nut/washer assy.

I guess I'm asking if anyone else has run into this - if so, how did you get around it - I can't believe this lock-nut would be included if it couldn't be easily used??

Any comments/help?? I thought this would be easy!! :crazy:



[Modified by linkschamp, 3:53 AM 3/25/2003]

 

It is quite a let down I know when nobody replies ...

I think you should exchange them. If the instructions have been followed and yet they move so as not to be fastened properly something is wrong. And I do no think it is you...

Good luck ... now... can you help me with my oil leak thread???

THANKS!


[Modified by 96TorchRedCoupe, 2:00 AM 3/24/2003]

 

Why not put a regular nut on,tighten it up and then install the nylocs. :cheers:

 

Since these are new shocks I would recommend contacting bilstein.

http://www.bilstein.com/warranty.html

On a sidenote, I would be more descriptive in the heading while posting. I feel that a heading such as "BILSTEIN HELP NEEDED" would attract those who are familiar with Bilstein Shocks.

Good luck and let us know how it goes by posting the results.

Just my $.02

Anyway this TTT

 

Can you get something on the squared end on the top? They should be fine thread also and if you use red Locktite you'll have to put heat on it to remove it. I don't recommend it at all.


[Modified by sumoboy, 1:54 PM 3/25/2003]

 

I just re-installed the factory shocks after a re-valve at Bilstein. The factory nuts are of the self locking type you are talking about. You can get a special socket that fits on the very top of the shaft on the shock that you can use to hold it in place while you turn the nut with a boxed end wrench.

Hand tighten the nut until it starts to turn the shaft. That should give you just enough room at the top of the shaft to get a grip with the special socket.

I wouldn't use locktight on it.

 

:iagree: :yesnod: Get the tool from your local parts shop. Cost ~$10 I believe. Will make life a whole lot easier :cheers:

 

The top of mine have a flat on each side.
I think it was a 3/8 open end wrench I used to hold the shaft while I tightened the nuts.

You could also use the 'universal wrench' on the top of the shaft...visegrips.
But I reccomend the wrench method.

 

I just replaced mine not too long ago and mine had slots in the top for those little L-wrenches (probably not the right name), but if yours don't have that I would do as others suggested and use vice grips or something to keep the shaft from spinning. That is what I had to do when removing the shocks they didn't have the holes on top. Good luck :cheers:

 

I found time to call Bilstein late this afternoon to speak with a technical person. Man, I feel so "DUMB"! I didn't check over the new shocks other than verifying they were the same style, fit, size, etc., so I just ploped them in. I never got a chance to see the top of the shock post... and wouldn't ya know it... the tech tells me there is an allen-key hole in the top of the shock post that will allow me to hold the post while tightening the nut!! Duh! I aksed where that was in the directions and they tech jokingly said "what directions?".

Ok, I get the point... so, I guess the Bilstein's sold by the factory are coming through with this allen-key'd top as opposed to the two small flat areas on the Delco Bilstein versions.

Technology I guess - too much for this ol'e timer! :crazy:

 

Glad to hear it's straightned out. :thumbs:

 

:cheers: :cheers: