HELP--Bilstein Install
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 343
Likes: 0
From: LAKESIDE (San Diego) CALIFORNIA
HELP--Bilstein Install --Results to be posted
Does anyone know, or have a picture of the stacking under the dust cover of the rear shocks?. i need to know the correct orientation under the dust cover, washer, metal hardware and everything else...i have installed the Z-51 sway bars, the Z-51 rotors and ceramic pads and now the Bilstein shocks on a C-6 standard suspension..i will post the results when i get the shocks set up..the Bilstein company is closed for the holidays..thanks, happy new year..make it safe...joe
Last edited by deputy2u; Dec 29, 2005 at 11:30 PM.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 343
Likes: 0
From: LAKESIDE (San Diego) CALIFORNIA
Thanks for the response..they are listed for the 04, but i was told they fit the 05's..the fronts went on ok, i just need to find out the order of the bump stop and washers under the dust cover...thanks
joe
joe
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 343
Likes: 0
From: LAKESIDE (San Diego) CALIFORNIA
i intended to post the results..i took a stock suspension C-6 and put on the Z-51 sway bars, the Z-51 rotors and the ceramic pads and now the Bilstein shocks to see how it all worked together..but if i can't get the rear shocks set up, i can't evaluate the results. thanks anyway
joe
joe
Pro
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 693
Likes: 2
From: Los Angeles CA
Originally Posted by deputy2u
Does anyone know, or have a picture of the stacking under the dust cover of the rear shocks?. i need to know the correct orientation under the dust cover, washer, metal hardware and everything else...i have installed the Z-51 sway bars, the Z-51 rotors and ceramic pads and now the Bilstein shocks on a C-6 standard suspension..i will post the results when i get the shocks set up..the Bilstein company is closed for the holidays..thanks, happy new year..make it safe...joe
If you disassembled both shocks, then...
try checking the McRat's install steps, maybe you can find a picture that can help you.
http://www.2fdr.com/test.htm
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 343
Likes: 0
From: LAKESIDE (San Diego) CALIFORNIA
Thanks for the help..that install sequence did not show the hardware under the dust cover..but i appreciate it all the same..i will pm you guys that helped me on the results of the whole package. both rear shocks were dumped out of the box and the dust cover and hardware came off so no comparison.
joe
joe
Pro
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 693
Likes: 2
From: Los Angeles CA
Can't be too complicated. I haven't done any shocks before, but did some struts before. Anyway, I assume the shock would be similar except for having no spring cap to sandwich.
So... first to slide on the shock shaft would be the rubber/foam looking bump stop, then welded on stop on the shock shaft is used to start stacking hardware, so a metal washer would go on top of that. Then the dust cover can now be held by that washer. Then maybe attaches to the chassis, followed by whatever else is available, topped off with a metal washer and a nut to hold it onto the chassis?
Maybe there are also some rubber isolators that goes below/above the chassis mounting point?
I guess it would help to know how many washers/hardware pieces you have, or maybe a picture of all the parts, so perhaps someone's memory can be refreshed.
So... first to slide on the shock shaft would be the rubber/foam looking bump stop, then welded on stop on the shock shaft is used to start stacking hardware, so a metal washer would go on top of that. Then the dust cover can now be held by that washer. Then maybe attaches to the chassis, followed by whatever else is available, topped off with a metal washer and a nut to hold it onto the chassis?
Maybe there are also some rubber isolators that goes below/above the chassis mounting point?
I guess it would help to know how many washers/hardware pieces you have, or maybe a picture of all the parts, so perhaps someone's memory can be refreshed.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every Model vs Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!
Joe Kucinski
5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!
Joe Kucinski
2027 Corvette Buyer's Guide: Everything You Need to Know!
Joe Kucinski
10 Things C8 Corvette Owners Hate (But Won't Tell You)
Joe Kucinski
10 Best Corvettes Coming to Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach 2026!
Brett Foote
Every Corvette Grand Sport Explained! (C2, C4, C6, C7, & C8)
Joe Kucinski
Grand Sport & Grand Sport X Launch Alongside All-New 535hp LS6 V8!
Michael S. Palmer
5 Reasons Bad Drivers Crash & 5 Ways to Avoid a Costly Mistake!
Joe Kucinski
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 343
Likes: 0
From: LAKESIDE (San Diego) CALIFORNIA
Vette...you are right, but the problem i am having is that the bumpstop and washer is allowed to slide up and down the shaft although there is a lock at the top of the shaft, the washer is still allowed to run free..this is what bothers me..the more the washer slides on the shaft, the more wear, scoring and what ever, occurs..this, i think..equals early shock failure..thanks anyway..Bilstein opens up on 2 Jan 06 and i will get them to give me the info..happy holiday...
joe
joe
Last edited by deputy2u; Dec 31, 2005 at 12:58 AM.
Pro
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 693
Likes: 2
From: Los Angeles CA
Bumpstop sliding freely shouldn't be a problem and if you only used the hardware that came with the Bilsteins, I bet you need to reuse some parts from the stock shocks, like rubber cones that gets sandwiched in between the washers/chassis so it doesn't slide around. Anyway, it's better to be safe than sorry later, so waiting to talk to Bilstein is a good idea. Let's just hope there is a knowledgeable person on the other end.
And please do let me know all the details once you are done, since I also plan on swapping to Bilstein Sports as soon as I can stop being lazy... Happy New Year!
And please do let me know all the details once you are done, since I also plan on swapping to Bilstein Sports as soon as I can stop being lazy... Happy New Year!
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 13,592
Likes: 187
From: Hudson WI
NCM Sinkhole Donor
Originally Posted by vette6500
Did you do one at a time? Can't you check the other shock?
If you disassembled both shocks, then...
try checking the McRat's install steps, maybe you can find a picture that can help you.
http://www.2fdr.com/test.htm
If you disassembled both shocks, then...
try checking the McRat's install steps, maybe you can find a picture that can help you.
http://www.2fdr.com/test.htm
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 242
Likes: 0
From: Rancho Cordova California
Originally Posted by deputy2u
Vette...you are right, but the problem i am having is that the bumpstop and washer is allowed to slide up and down the shaft although there is a lock at the top of the shaft, the washer is still allowed to run free..this is what bothers me..the more the washer slides on the shaft, the more wear, scoring and what ever, occurs..this, i think..equals early shock failure..thanks anyway..Bilstein opens up on 2 Jan 06 and i will get them to give me the info..happy holiday...
joe
joe
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 343
Likes: 0
From: LAKESIDE (San Diego) CALIFORNIA
for those that were interested...Bilstein relayed to me that the proper stacking of the hardware under the dust cover is as follows: on the shaft from the shock body up, is the rubber bump stop, a concave washer and a lock ring. Bilstein states that the washer is loose until a hard re-bound occurs, at which time the bump stop rises up the shaft and hits the sliding washer, this in turn jams the washer into and on the lock ring and then it becomes stationary and only the bumpstop will move on the shaft...hope this helps.
joe
joe
