Bilstein Install help
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Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 97
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From: Smith Maryland
Bilstein Install help
I am installing Bilstein Sports and am having a little difficulty with the front shocks. I noticed that the bottom part of the shock, where the lower shock mounting bolts are fed through, are not angeled the way the GM stock shocks are angeled. This is making it impossible to feed the lower shock mounting bolts through. I tried to turn them with a pair of vice grips , but they won't budge. I do not want to break them so I gave up on that idea. Are the shocks suppossed to be adjustable on the bottom? Has anyone else experienced this problem?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2004
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From: Time is a great teacher. Unfortunately, it kills all its pupils.
Cruise-In VIII Veteran
St. Jude Donor '07
Yup, installed mine yesterday and the fronts were a real PITA! Taking the old ones off and putting the new ones back on. 
I compressed the Bilsteins and used zip-ties to keep them compressed. Then installed the bottom bolts first, swung them over and cut the zip-tie and started working on the top nut.
Good luck!
I compressed the Bilsteins and used zip-ties to keep them compressed. Then installed the bottom bolts first, swung them over and cut the zip-tie and started working on the top nut.
Good luck!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 6,126
Likes: 19
From: Streamwood illinois
Originally Posted by RoadVette1999
I am installing Bilstein Sports and am having a little difficulty with the front shocks. I noticed that the bottom part of the shock, where the lower shock mounting bolts are fed through, are not angeled the way the GM stock shocks are angeled. This is making it impossible to feed the lower shock mounting bolts through. I tried to turn them with a pair of vice grips , but they won't budge. I do not want to break them so I gave up on that idea. Are the shocks suppossed to be adjustable on the bottom? Has anyone else experienced this problem?
Dave
Supporting Tuner
Joined: Sep 2004
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From: ================== Houston, Texas www.englandgreen.com ================== Necessary Evil™ __________
CI 6-7-8-9-10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14
zipties are your friends. Just make sure you use several because just one will break.EG
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Drifting
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,937
Likes: 3
From: Jacksonville Florida
Never had a problem installing the Bilstein Sports.....All I had to do is jack up the side I'm working on and unbolt the old shocks and install the new one. I didn't use any zip tie at all.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 470
Likes: 8
From: Northwest Washington
Originally Posted by RoadVette1999
I am installing Bilstein Sports and am having a little difficulty with the front shocks. I noticed that the bottom part of the shock, where the lower shock mounting bolts are fed through, are not angeled the way the GM stock shocks are angeled. This is making it impossible to feed the lower shock mounting bolts through. I tried to turn them with a pair of vice grips , but they won't budge. I do not want to break them so I gave up on that idea. Are the shocks suppossed to be adjustable on the bottom? Has anyone else experienced this problem?
