C5 shock install--really need special tools?
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 4,030
Likes: 6
From: Maryland
C5 shock install--really need special tools?
Greetings!
I want to install some new Bilsteins. The car is a C5Z but I suspect all C5s are basically the same in this regard. The shop manual says I need a special tool to keep the spring compressed so that it can be pulled out... but when I went to Pep Boys looking for such a tool (something universal like a big c-clamp or shock compressor), the shop guy said you don't need that.
So can I just jack up the control arm, thereby compressing the shock, then pull the bolts and pull it out?
Thanks,
Andy
I want to install some new Bilsteins. The car is a C5Z but I suspect all C5s are basically the same in this regard. The shop manual says I need a special tool to keep the spring compressed so that it can be pulled out... but when I went to Pep Boys looking for such a tool (something universal like a big c-clamp or shock compressor), the shop guy said you don't need that.
So can I just jack up the control arm, thereby compressing the shock, then pull the bolts and pull it out?
Thanks,
Andy
Instructor
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 129
Likes: 0
From: A.R.
Guess it depends on how worn out your shocks are I was able to compress mine by hand and pull them out.And on the reinstall I placed the shock on the ground and compressed it and then used zip ties to keep it compressed put the shock in place then cut the ties and let it decompress into place.There is a write up on here somewhere with pics.
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 28
Likes: 0
Greetings!
I want to install some new Bilsteins. The car is a C5Z but I suspect all C5s are basically the same in this regard. The shop manual says I need a special tool to keep the spring compressed so that it can be pulled out... but when I went to Pep Boys looking for such a tool (something universal like a big c-clamp or shock compressor), the shop guy said you don't need that.
So can I just jack up the control arm, thereby compressing the shock, then pull the bolts and pull it out?
Thanks,
Andy
I want to install some new Bilsteins. The car is a C5Z but I suspect all C5s are basically the same in this regard. The shop manual says I need a special tool to keep the spring compressed so that it can be pulled out... but when I went to Pep Boys looking for such a tool (something universal like a big c-clamp or shock compressor), the shop guy said you don't need that.
So can I just jack up the control arm, thereby compressing the shock, then pull the bolts and pull it out?
Thanks,
Andy
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 5,245
Likes: 25
From: Blue Ridge Georgia
I installed the C6 Z06 shocks on my C5 Z06 today. Do a Google search on McRat Shock Install. It's a very good write up. Took me 6 hours without a lift and with a lunch break. Good Luck.
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Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 4,030
Likes: 6
From: Maryland
But...I started another thread...can someone post a pic of the clevis end of the front bilstein sport??? Mine is flat with respect to the body...the OE's are at an angle. The angle seems entirely necessary to get the bottom 2 bolts to the control arm in place and get the shock at the right angle.
I don't know how the B sport is supposed to go into anything unless it's a car with the shocks pointing straight up. The corvette shock is at a substantial angle from the CA to the shock tower at the top.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 2,900
Likes: 2
From: Green Cove Springs FL
Guess it depends on how worn out your shocks are I was able to compress mine by hand and pull them out.And on the reinstall I placed the shock on the ground and compressed it and then used zip ties to keep it compressed put the shock in place then cut the ties and let it decompress into place.There is a write up on here somewhere with pics.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,770
Likes: 0
From: in ur mirror, 'bout to pass.. CA
Were mine worn that bad then? I lifted the car (01 coupe with 3yrs of HPDE's), hanging the suspension, and just unbolted them and compressed them by hand to remove. Sure, there was some resistance initially, but once they got moving it got easier. Am I missing something here? Replaced with coilover's, and I had to clamp the damn thing's to get them compressed. Hm..
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 16,795
Likes: 62
From: Lake Havasu City, AZ
There are a couple DIY's on the forum... but the above respondents have told the secrets.... use zip ties on the old compressed shocks to get them out.... yes you can jack the control arm to compress....
Use body weight to compress the new shocks and zip ties to keep them compressed until installed.
Use body weight to compress the new shocks and zip ties to keep them compressed until installed.
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 4,394
Likes: 6
From: Melbourne FL
The only thing you really need beyond the zip ties or wire is a good torque wrench. Adhere closely to the specs in the manual for all bolts. I managed to snap two of the front lower bolts tightening them by hand w/o a torque wrench. I guess I felt those bolts should be a bit tighter than the GM engineers did. 
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 3,904
Likes: 28
From: Vancouver Washington
Zip ties worked but had to re-jack up a few times to get the shock fully compressed to get it off. PIA.
But...I started another thread...can someone post a pic of the clevis end of the front bilstein sport??? Mine is flat with respect to the body...the OE's are at an angle. The angle seems entirely necessary to get the bottom 2 bolts to the control arm in place and get the shock at the right angle.
I don't know how the B sport is supposed to go into anything unless it's a car with the shocks pointing straight up. The corvette shock is at a substantial angle from the CA to the shock tower at the top.
But...I started another thread...can someone post a pic of the clevis end of the front bilstein sport??? Mine is flat with respect to the body...the OE's are at an angle. The angle seems entirely necessary to get the bottom 2 bolts to the control arm in place and get the shock at the right angle.
I don't know how the B sport is supposed to go into anything unless it's a car with the shocks pointing straight up. The corvette shock is at a substantial angle from the CA to the shock tower at the top.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 2,332
Likes: 31
From: Silver Spring MD
McRat method zip ties and 2 24 MM sockets
No need to cut anything. Rears are a snap. Do need 2 24MM sockets. Got them at H F very inexpensive. Use 2 jacks. Rear need to very slightly remove tension on to remove bottom bolt. On front need to use jack to compress shock then zip tie it.
Look for McRat method which has pics on how to do it.
