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Bilstein shocks

Old Sep 22, 2006 | 08:43 PM
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Default Bilstein shocks

Ball park, how long does it take to intsall . these shocks on a C5


thanks


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Old Sep 22, 2006 | 08:59 PM
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I have all of the tools except for a lift and i did mine in 3 hours and took my time.
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Old Sep 22, 2006 | 09:21 PM
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Originally Posted by RTSVET
I have all of the tools except for a lift and i did mine in 3 hours and took my time.
No lift here either. But I had issues with the rear ones squealing so I had to go back and replace the bushings with the OEM rear bushings, to me they are a better design (they inter lock). I used a lot of Di-Electric grease on the bushings after the third attempt to stop the squealing. So far nice and quiet. Ride is a lil firmer than stock and works well with my ZO6 sway bars.

Last edited by SLPRC5; Sep 22, 2006 at 10:51 PM.
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Old Sep 22, 2006 | 10:24 PM
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Probably take about 3 hours, helps to have an air gun to break loose the rear bolts.

Just make sure you tighten down the top bushing nut until the rubber bushing is crushed to the same size as the metal washers or else you could get some noise.
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Old Sep 22, 2006 | 10:52 PM
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Originally Posted by ajg1915
Probably take about 3 hours, helps to have an air gun to break loose the rear bolts.

Just make sure you tighten down the top bushing nut until the rubber bushing is crushed to the same size as the metal washers or else you could get some noise.
Very good input
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Old Sep 22, 2006 | 11:27 PM
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After you've done it a few times...you can get it down to about an hour to an hour and a half.


Chris
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Old Sep 22, 2006 | 11:47 PM
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Originally Posted by SleeperC5
No lift here either. But I had issues with the rear ones squealing so I had to go back and replace the bushings with the OEM rear bushings, to me they are a better design (they inter lock). I used a lot of Di-Electric grease on the bushings after the third attempt to stop the squealing. So far nice and quiet. Ride is a lil firmer than stock and works well with my ZO6 sway bars.
I have a DIY on my web site, but I'm with SleeperC5. I had squeaking problem with the rear upper bushing. I remove them, greased them and re-tight until the rubber makes a dunnot wiht the washer.

If you count jacking the car and replacing the shock 3-4 hours.

DIY at
http://pages.videotron.com/vette747/
and scroll down to the Bilstein Sport Installation link.
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Old Sep 23, 2006 | 01:28 AM
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Originally Posted by vette747
I have a DIY on my web site, but I'm with SleeperC5. I had squeaking problem with the rear upper bushing. I remove them, greased them and re-tight until the rubber makes a dunnot wiht the washer.

If you count jacking the car and replacing the shock 3-4 hours.

DIY at
http://pages.videotron.com/vette747/
and scroll down to the Bilstein Sport Installation link.

Great info there. A question - When putting on the Bilstien shocks, does it matter how much you *compress* the bushings? Would compressing little, or compressing them more where they begin to bulge - have any affect in the ride/handling?

Thanks...
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Old Sep 23, 2006 | 11:09 AM
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Did mine couple months ago, took around 4 hours by myself (if you can get some help it will save you 45 min or so). Had problem getting new shocks on the front - hard to compress new bushings on upper mounts under hood to get the nuts started. Also spent extra hour or so cleaning the wheel wells and back side of rims out (had a car show coming up).

Just take your time and do it right. Give you good bonding time with your ride.
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Old Sep 23, 2006 | 01:28 PM
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Originally Posted by Cali17
Ball park, how long does it take to intsall . these shocks on a C5


thanks



I've heard that compared to installing a set of C6 Z06 shocks, the bilsteins are a real PITA to get on, especially the front ones.

Seems like with the Bilsteins, in order to get at the top of the shaft to keep it from turning, you have to take off the overflow tank on one side and the washer tank on the other side.

With the Z06 shocks, everything can be reached from inside the fenderwell. Plus, the Z06 shocks are cheaper than the Bilsteins and the overall ride and dampening effect is about the same. They just aren't painted "yellow" like the Bilsteins...whoopdedoo.
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Old Sep 23, 2006 | 04:58 PM
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From: American Canyon Lethal Injection
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Originally Posted by vette747
I have a DIY on my web site, but I'm with SleeperC5. I had squeaking problem with the rear upper bushing. I remove them, greased them and re-tight until the rubber makes a dunnot wiht the washer.

If you count jacking the car and replacing the shock 3-4 hours.

DIY at
http://pages.videotron.com/vette747/
and scroll down to the Bilstein Sport Installation link.
WOW!!!! that is one bad azz LINK to your web page. You put a lot of work in this informational site. It is detailed and simple to follow. Man you have skills in not only working on your Corvettes, BUT at building a web page. Thanks for sharing

Last edited by SLPRC5; Sep 23, 2006 at 05:06 PM.
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Old Sep 23, 2006 | 05:09 PM
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From: American Canyon Lethal Injection
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Originally Posted by Vette_Fan
Great info there. A question - When putting on the Bilstien shocks, does it matter how much you *compress* the bushings? Would compressing little, or compressing them more where they begin to bulge - have any affect in the ride/handling?

Thanks...
Nope the ride is the same.I would try as suggested, but I have already replaced the rear bushings with the stock bushings with lots of Di-Electric grease and so far no noise.
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Old Sep 23, 2006 | 05:15 PM
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From: American Canyon Lethal Injection
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Originally Posted by TuffShift
I've heard that compared to installing a set of C6 Z06 shocks, the bilsteins are a real PITA to get on, especially the front ones.

Seems like with the Bilsteins, in order to get at the top of the shaft to keep it from turning, you have to take off the overflow tank on one side and the washer tank on the other side.

With the Z06 shocks, everything can be reached from inside the fenderwell. Plus, the Z06 shocks are cheaper than the Bilsteins and the overall ride and dampening effect is about the same. They just aren't painted "yellow" like the Bilsteins...whoopdedoo.
Not too bad to replace the fronts if you follow the instructions of vette747 DIY web page. I did mine before seeing his web page and pratically the way he has shown. Yes removing the screws from the recovery tank and lifting it isn't bad, the washer tank can be left in place and the allen wrench will fit.
But you may be correct, I heard that the 2004 ZO6 shocks are just as good as the Bilstein shocks.
SC5
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Old Sep 24, 2006 | 12:27 AM
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The tanks do not need to be moved at all. Use a small allen bit and drop into top of shock then use a small open to hold it while you turn the bolt down. Very easy and saves a lot of time.
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Old Sep 24, 2006 | 10:51 AM
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I did this myself and it is a royal PITA.
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Old Sep 25, 2006 | 03:20 AM
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wow !!! . thanks soo much for all that information .. i just wanted to know so . some shop would not try and screw me over !! . i would definitely not try and attempt this job myself. But thanks soo much again ... more then i ever needed to know !!


thanks

peace !


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