Bilstein Shock Install on 96 Q
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 425
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From: Frederick MD
Bilstein Shock Install on 96 Q
Installing new standard FE1 shocks, and manual says to install top shock tower nut to 19ft-lbs. First question how do I put the torque wrench on and hold the allen wrench in the center to keep bolt from spinning (do I need a crows foot). Second question I tightened it down with a open ended wrench and holding the allen wrench until it was pretty firm (guessing about 19ft-lbs), the rubber bushings seemed pretty flattened out like 3/8 thick and compressed out past the washer/retainer thing. There was about an inch and a quarter of bolt sticking out the top(kind of seemed like alot). Just don't want to overtighten.
[Modified by tdock, 8:33 AM 4/27/2003]
[Modified by tdock, 8:33 AM 4/27/2003]
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 2,148
Likes: 1
From: Chandler AZ
Re: Bilstein Shock Install on 96 Q (tdock)
Sounds like you got it about right; the rubber does flatten quite a bit and you will have at least 1" of bolt showing. Besides not being able to get the torque wrench on, I don't see how we can measure torque while compressing a rubber bushing!
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 425
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From: Frederick MD
Re: Bilstein Shock Install on 96 Q (gcrouse)
Same issue on the rear shocks, just to get the nut tight the rubber bushings are compressed out past the retainer washers (is this normal). Tried putting the torque wrench in the hex socket on the bolt and turn against the nut but just seems like way too much torque.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 2,148
Likes: 1
From: Chandler AZ
Re: Bilstein Shock Install on 96 Q (tdock)
I stopped tightening once the rubber just cleared the washers; if you go further the washer could tear it up in use. Aren't those lock-nuts anyway? I think they should be hard to turn. I just snugged mine up good till the rubber was compressed and they "felt right." Sounds like you're there.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 3,418
Likes: 1
From: NW Chicago Suburbs
Re: Bilstein Shock Install on 96 Q (gcrouse)
...I just snugged mine up good till the rubber was compressed and they "felt right." Sounds like you're there.
Eric
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 425
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From: Frederick MD
Re: Bilstein Shock Install on 96 Q (silver & red CE)
Yeah the nuts are nylock type, so they don't turn easy. Compared the old shocks with new and the old shocks only had about 3/4-1" of thread so the nut would bottom out on the threads (and you could get 19ft-lbs of torque) where the new ones have about 2 inches of thread so you can really compress the bushings too far if you want to. I'll go with the bushings compressed to the same size as the washer/retainer and go with that. Thanks for the help guys.
Instructor
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 144
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From: Boston, MA
Re: Bilstein Shock Install on 96 Q (silver & red CE)
[QUOTE]...I just snugged mine up good till the rubber was compressed and they "felt right." Sounds like you're there.
Exactly what I did! Make sure you get the lower inner bolts on the rear shocks good and tight, I had my driver side bolt come loose.
Exactly what I did! Make sure you get the lower inner bolts on the rear shocks good and tight, I had my driver side bolt come loose.
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Pro
Joined: Mar 2002
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Re: Bilstein Shock Install on 96 Q (tdock)
That's what I used - Crowfoot with a 3/8" drive torque wrench - worked fine.
Go to this url to see proper mounting/tightening for your shocks:
http://www.eshocks.com/Mounting.asp
:thumbs:
Go to this url to see proper mounting/tightening for your shocks:
http://www.eshocks.com/Mounting.asp
:thumbs:
