Instruction on installing Bilstein shocks?
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,239
Likes: 0
From: Kennesaw GA
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '08,'16,'18,'21-'22,'24
Instruction on installing Bilstein shocks?
I just bought some Bilstein Sports shocks, and I want to put them on myself. For the ppl who've done it, how hard is it and how much time? Is there any instructions for it? TIA!
Andy
Andy
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 1,426
Likes: 0
From: AnnArbor Michigan
St. Jude Donor '05
It is pretty straight forward. It took me about 1-2 hours to install them, taking my time. Basically if you are going to do all 4 at once, jack the car up and put it on stands, take off all 4 wheels, and go to town. I would say the rear is the easiest, but the front is not that hard at all.
The problems I ran into after, was the codes that were beign thrown after taking the ride control shocks off. Its a pretty simple fix to get them to stop, some people have used resistors to stop it, or you can have a shop with a Tech 2 programer reprogram it.
I believe there is a write up in the tech articles on installing the bilsteins.
The problems I ran into after, was the codes that were beign thrown after taking the ride control shocks off. Its a pretty simple fix to get them to stop, some people have used resistors to stop it, or you can have a shop with a Tech 2 programer reprogram it.
I believe there is a write up in the tech articles on installing the bilsteins.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 936
Likes: 0
From: Reston VA
I did it one wheel at a time. Jack up the corner you’re working with and take off the wheel. Put another jack under the A arm and compress the shock. Get some heavy duty zip ties and lock the shock in compressed mode. Loosen the bolts and slightly lower the A arm. The shock will come right out. Compress the new shock and put the zip ties on. You could do it yourself but it’s easier if you have help. To install, reverse the procedure. Now, some things to be aware of:
Count the threads on the top of the front shocks. You’ll have to reuse the rubber grommets and nut to install them but you can’t torque them, so you have to tighten the nut down to where it was.
Torquing the rear lower bolt is a B###H. Spec says 160 lb ft and most wrenches only go to 150. Getting leverage on the bolt while holding the nut takes a bit of doing
Other than that, piece of cake. Good luck. Oh, BTW, if you have F45 suspension, it wont work anymore with Bilsteins. – C.
Count the threads on the top of the front shocks. You’ll have to reuse the rubber grommets and nut to install them but you can’t torque them, so you have to tighten the nut down to where it was.
Torquing the rear lower bolt is a B###H. Spec says 160 lb ft and most wrenches only go to 150. Getting leverage on the bolt while holding the nut takes a bit of doing
Other than that, piece of cake. Good luck. Oh, BTW, if you have F45 suspension, it wont work anymore with Bilsteins. – C.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,890
Likes: 1
From: Indiana
St. Jude Contributor
Originally Posted by Mr. C's 5
I did it one wheel at a time. Jack up the corner you’re working with and take off the wheel. Put another jack under the A arm and compress the shock. Get some heavy duty zip ties and lock the shock in compressed mode. Loosen the bolts and slightly lower the A arm. The shock will come right out. Compress the new shock and put the zip ties on. You could do it yourself but it’s easier if you have help. To install, reverse the procedure. Now, some things to be aware of:
Count the threads on the top of the front shocks. You’ll have to reuse the rubber grommets and nut to install them but you can’t torque them, so you have to tighten the nut down to where it was.
Torquing the rear lower bolt is a B###H. Spec says 160 lb ft and most wrenches only go to 150. Getting leverage on the bolt while holding the nut takes a bit of doing
Other than that, piece of cake. Good luck. Oh, BTW, if you have F45 suspension, it wont work anymore with Bilsteins. – C.
Count the threads on the top of the front shocks. You’ll have to reuse the rubber grommets and nut to install them but you can’t torque them, so you have to tighten the nut down to where it was.
Torquing the rear lower bolt is a B###H. Spec says 160 lb ft and most wrenches only go to 150. Getting leverage on the bolt while holding the nut takes a bit of doing
Other than that, piece of cake. Good luck. Oh, BTW, if you have F45 suspension, it wont work anymore with Bilsteins. – C.
No need to use old stuff. I also used an impact and pulled upper control arms loose in front and that made the fronts a breeze. You will need to pull washer and coolant tanks to get a torx socket in the end of the shaft to hold it while you tighten the nut. The rears were certainly more difficult because I didn't zip tie the old ones B4 I tried to remove them
If you pull your upper control arms, watch for any washers between the arm and the frame.....they are there for a reason
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,890
Likes: 1
From: Indiana
St. Jude Contributor
[QUOTE=Mr. C's 5]
Yep....they are the HD 'Steins.........the grommets aren't exactly like the OEM......but they had nice little (pardon Ladies) **** on them that went into the bracket. Counting the threads is a good idea....but if you are off a thread or two..........that's probably less than .020 so I don't think you'll notice it driving OR measuring
Originally Posted by BWP 5P
My shocks came with new washers and grommets No need to use old stuff. QUOTE]
Are they Bilsteins? Mine didn't come with the right ones and you can't get a torque wrench on the nut while you hold the center shaft hence counting the threads. - C.
No need to use old stuff. QUOTE]Are they Bilsteins? Mine didn't come with the right ones and you can't get a torque wrench on the nut while you hold the center shaft hence counting the threads. - C.
Drifting
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,564
Likes: 19
From: Driftwood PA
I just put mine on this past weekend, peice of cake. I reused my stock rubber grommets because I think they fit the holes in the frame better. Not sure if the rubber is as good as comes with the Bilstien's or not but I was happier with the fit. One thing I did to tighten the top nut on the front shock was cut a allen wrench off with about an 1/2" showing and it fit right in. Didn't have to take any tanks out under the hood.
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