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[Z06] Bilstein Shock install / removal, via zip-tie method, on YouTube!
06-13-2010, 08:32 PM
#1
Race Director
Thread Starter
Bilstein Shock install / removal, via zip-tie method, on YouTube!
All right, I finished these videos about 3.5 hours ago but they're taking forever and a day to upload to YouTube.
I will post the front shock removal as soon as it finished uploading.
I apologize in advance for the amateur video hour - did this by myself, with a pocket camcorder and on-the-fly.
Enjoy!
Rear shock removal:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VQYYq8EGbYo
Front shock removal:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GoFcW-h1gi4
I will post the front shock removal as soon as it finished uploading.
I apologize in advance for the amateur video hour - did this by myself, with a pocket camcorder and on-the-fly.
Enjoy!
Rear shock removal:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VQYYq8EGbYo
Front shock removal:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GoFcW-h1gi4
Last edited by Shark Racer; 06-13-2010 at 11:31 PM.
The following 3 users liked this post by Shark Racer:
06-13-2010, 10:21 PM
#3
Burning Brakes
I was able to get my air wratchet on the upper bolts with no problem. It made short work of removing and then reinstalling those top bolts.
Last edited by Maxx Schlick; 06-13-2010 at 10:24 PM.
06-13-2010, 11:32 PM
#5
Race Director
Thread Starter
BTW everyone - front video is up.
The following users liked this post:
cjfast (07-01-2021)
06-14-2010, 12:46 AM
#6
Race Director
Well done Steve! I'll have my laptop in the garage so I can refer to these when I'm ready to endure the pain. Maxx, I'm glad you jumped in here. I thought I saw your info on the thread Randy did for the install but then it wasn't there. This thread will probably be the most helpful for the way I want to do it. 
06-14-2010, 01:03 AM
#7
Race Director
Thread Starter
Well done Steve! I'll have my laptop in the garage so I can refer to these when I'm ready to endure the pain. Maxx, I'm glad you jumped in here. I thought I saw your info on the thread Randy did for the install but then it wasn't there. This thread will probably be the most helpful for the way I want to do it.
Maybe I can find some time to head up there to help out. Let me know what your projections are.
06-14-2010, 10:07 AM
#11
Burning Brakes
Here is a post I made a while back with a couple of slide show attachments
To R&R Shocks without removing the Upper Control Arms or Ball Joints, just compress the Shock and secure it in the colapsed length with a piece of wire. Takes about 1 minute to wire the Shock up, much easier than removing The Upper Controll Arms from the Frame, and you won't throw the alignment off. This way the shortened Shock has plenty of clearace for removal and replacement.
Here is a link to a slide show of step by step Shock Removal
http://s116.photobucket.com/albums/o...view=slideshow
Here is a link to a slide show for step by step Shock Replacement
http://s116.photobucket.com/albums/o...view=slideshow
Front shocks R&R the same way, the mounting bolts are just a little different.
Tighten lower mounting nuts to 21 ft lbs
To R&R Shocks without removing the Upper Control Arms or Ball Joints, just compress the Shock and secure it in the colapsed length with a piece of wire. Takes about 1 minute to wire the Shock up, much easier than removing The Upper Controll Arms from the Frame, and you won't throw the alignment off. This way the shortened Shock has plenty of clearace for removal and replacement.
Here is a link to a slide show of step by step Shock Removal
http://s116.photobucket.com/albums/o...view=slideshow
Here is a link to a slide show for step by step Shock Replacement
http://s116.photobucket.com/albums/o...view=slideshow
Front shocks R&R the same way, the mounting bolts are just a little different.
Tighten lower mounting nuts to 21 ft lbs
06-14-2010, 06:45 PM
#15
Race Director
Thread Starter
I sent my girlfriend off to Kragen(part of the O'Reilly's chain) and she found it in the special tools section I think. I couldn't find my 4" crescent wrench and none of my combo wrenches fit (it's probably something like a 3/32") so I just went with that. I think all of my cars have Bilstein shocks now except the GF's so the tool is probably dead weight. 
If you look at my video, on the passenger side it made a job that would have been a nightmare into a slight pain in the butt. Probably not necessary on the driver's side, but I have a 7/8" ratcheting wrench and with that the stock shock nut didn't stand a chance.
The socket will not work with the Bilstein stuff, but that is a bit easier thanks to the hex key in the stem.
The reason it's such a pain on the passenger side is because of all the lines I mentioned in the video (A/C, heater hose, etc). The shock tool allows you to clear all of that nonsense.
I also used it on the driver's rear shock once it was off the car as it made it a breeze.
If you look at my video, on the passenger side it made a job that would have been a nightmare into a slight pain in the butt. Probably not necessary on the driver's side, but I have a 7/8" ratcheting wrench and with that the stock shock nut didn't stand a chance.
The socket will not work with the Bilstein stuff, but that is a bit easier thanks to the hex key in the stem.
The reason it's such a pain on the passenger side is because of all the lines I mentioned in the video (A/C, heater hose, etc). The shock tool allows you to clear all of that nonsense.
I also used it on the driver's rear shock once it was off the car as it made it a breeze.
06-14-2010, 07:02 PM
#16
Le Mans Master
I sent my girlfriend off to Kragen(part of the O'Reilly's chain) and she found it in the special tools section I think. I couldn't find my 4" crescent wrench and none of my combo wrenches fit (it's probably something like a 3/32") so I just went with that. I think all of my cars have Bilstein shocks now except the GF's so the tool is probably dead weight.
If you look at my video, on the passenger side it made a job that would have been a nightmare into a slight pain in the butt. Probably not necessary on the driver's side, but I have a 7/8" ratcheting wrench and with that the stock shock nut didn't stand a chance.
The socket will not work with the Bilstein stuff, but that is a bit easier thanks to the hex key in the stem.
The reason it's such a pain on the passenger side is because of all the lines I mentioned in the video (A/C, heater hose, etc). The shock tool allows you to clear all of that nonsense.
I also used it on the driver's rear shock once it was off the car as it made it a breeze.
If you look at my video, on the passenger side it made a job that would have been a nightmare into a slight pain in the butt. Probably not necessary on the driver's side, but I have a 7/8" ratcheting wrench and with that the stock shock nut didn't stand a chance.
The socket will not work with the Bilstein stuff, but that is a bit easier thanks to the hex key in the stem.
The reason it's such a pain on the passenger side is because of all the lines I mentioned in the video (A/C, heater hose, etc). The shock tool allows you to clear all of that nonsense.
I also used it on the driver's rear shock once it was off the car as it made it a breeze.
And thanks for the videos, thata a big help.
06-14-2010, 07:49 PM
#18
Race Director
Thread Starter
Maybe it's warm weather heat-soaking the motor a bit, maybe the shocks are keeping the tires planted better, or both.
I haven't had it on a mountain road yet. Maybe tonight. I really don't push this car very hard on public roads and save it for autox, so I can't provide a very meaningful review until the next one. (6/27)
