Shock installation tips?
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 4,203
Likes: 643
From: Orange County Ca
Shock installation tips?
I just received my Bilstein HD shocks for my '08 vert and I'm wondering if there are any tips to installing them. I've done numerous installations over the years, but these c6's are a little different.
At a quick glance, it looks like the front wheels need to come off. Probably the rears too.
Any other tips to make it easier?
It also appears that the new shocks have a bump stop? on the shafts also. Is this where the wheel bump stops are? Most older cars have the stops on the frame.
At a quick glance, it looks like the front wheels need to come off. Probably the rears too.
Any other tips to make it easier?
It also appears that the new shocks have a bump stop? on the shafts also. Is this where the wheel bump stops are? Most older cars have the stops on the frame.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 1,527
Likes: 34
Unless you are also in need of an alignment. No need to take off F/R control arm bolts.
Do remove wheels, you will thank yourself for that. Extra jack to raise control arm to help align shock mount bolts will be helpful as well.
I used zip tie method, loads of DIY's if you care to read when you use search function.
Do remove wheels, you will thank yourself for that. Extra jack to raise control arm to help align shock mount bolts will be helpful as well.
I used zip tie method, loads of DIY's if you care to read when you use search function.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 13,592
Likes: 187
From: Hudson WI
NCM Sinkhole Donor
Unless you are also in need of an alignment. No need to take off F/R control arm bolts.
Do remove wheels, you will thank yourself for that. Extra jack to raise control arm to help align shock mount bolts will be helpful as well.
I used zip tie method, loads of DIY's if you care to read when you use search function.
Do remove wheels, you will thank yourself for that. Extra jack to raise control arm to help align shock mount bolts will be helpful as well.
I used zip tie method, loads of DIY's if you care to read when you use search function.
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 143
Likes: 3
From: wrentham ma
For some of the guys here, this was "easy". I found it much harder but now that I've done it, I'd certainly do it again, and much faster too. If you don't do much mechanic work, it might be better to outsource. Definitely get the tool to hold the top shock bolt.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...ns-needed.html
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...ns-needed.html
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 4,427
Likes: 862
From: Bay Area CA
Work one corner at a time, remove the wheel and shock mount bolts. Compress old shock and remove. Install the new shock using zip ties to keep the shock compressed, until you need to expand the shock. Use the shock nut removal/installation tool to make life easier.
I installed the Bilstein Sports on my 08 Z51 and I was very happy with the results. My oem shocks with 40k+ miles felt sloppy. GM should of used Bilsteins for the C6 as they do for the C7.
I installed the Bilstein Sports on my 08 Z51 and I was very happy with the results. My oem shocks with 40k+ miles felt sloppy. GM should of used Bilsteins for the C6 as they do for the C7.
Last edited by Mike's LS3; May 21, 2015 at 01:45 PM.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 4,203
Likes: 643
From: Orange County Ca
What about the rubber bumpers that come on the shaft in the package?
Is this a universal part or are they needed for our cars?
Looks like they will limit the shock travel by about 1".
Is this a universal part or are they needed for our cars?
Looks like they will limit the shock travel by about 1".
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 13,592
Likes: 187
From: Hudson WI
NCM Sinkhole Donor
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
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 8,049
Likes: 329
From: Charlotte NC
St. Jude Donor '14-'15
The little spring clip is a pain in the a__. I had mine off 3 times before I got the clip right. Make sure you use the flat washer that has the recess for the clip. I re-used my OEM parts. I also bought new shock bushings, they fit the car better than any of the garbage bilstein supplies. I bought the bilstein HD shocks for my 08 Z51, can you tell I'm not happy with them?
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 1,527
Likes: 34
The little spring clip is a pain in the a__. I had mine off 3 times before I got the clip right. Make sure you use the flat washer that has the recess for the clip. I re-used my OEM parts. I also bought new shock bushings, they fit the car better than any of the garbage bilstein supplies. I bought the bilstein HD shocks for my 08 Z51, can you tell I'm not happy with them?
Removed/Replaced Sports with DRM revalved Sports, then, short while later, removed/reinstalled after I improved the worn out original soft poly tension preload spacer with a machined delrin preload spacer - shown in above picture, directly under the top inverted steel washer retainer.
That was a total of 5 times removal/reinstall and I never had to touch the original factory installed, combination purpose, bump stop/shock protective boot/bushing pivot separation "C" spring clip.
I followed your original posted dilemma and I've found that unusual. Glad that had work out and remembered Randy sent you some extra "C" clips.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 8,049
Likes: 329
From: Charlotte NC
St. Jude Donor '14-'15
Installed Bilstein Sports first time, removed/reinstalled follow change out with delrin spherical bushings shown here:
Removed/Replaced Sports with DRM revalved Sports, then, short while later, removed/reinstalled after I improved the worn out original soft poly tension preload spacer with a machined delrin preload spacer - shown in above picture, directly under the top inverted steel washer retainer.
That was a total of 5 times removal/reinstall and I never had to touch the original factory installed, combination purpose, bump stop/shock protective boot/bushing pivot separation "C" spring clip.
I followed your original posted dilemma and I've found that unusual. Glad that had work out and remembered Randy sent you some extra "C" clips.
Removed/Replaced Sports with DRM revalved Sports, then, short while later, removed/reinstalled after I improved the worn out original soft poly tension preload spacer with a machined delrin preload spacer - shown in above picture, directly under the top inverted steel washer retainer.
That was a total of 5 times removal/reinstall and I never had to touch the original factory installed, combination purpose, bump stop/shock protective boot/bushing pivot separation "C" spring clip.
I followed your original posted dilemma and I've found that unusual. Glad that had work out and remembered Randy sent you some extra "C" clips.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 1,527
Likes: 34
Price was shocking to some people. Cost more than my original Sports. But company made that is, belly'ed up - Pfadt!