Upper strut torque and bushings flatness (with pics)
 

So I torqued the nut on the upper part of the Bilstein struts to FSM spec (19 ft-lbs) and the bushings look like the pics below. Should I back the nut off until the bushings are more inline with the edges of the washers? They look really flat to me. I couldn't find anything in the included Bilstein instructions at all on this.



https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.cor...8f198e8bcd.jpg
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.cor...0312dd2ba1.jpg

That is way overtightened. I don't have the torque spec handy, but are you sure it isn't 19 inch-pounds?

I just tightened mine down to a slight bulge, plenty tight.

Thanks guys, I loosened them up. That was the FSM spec 19 ft-lbs. I checked again.

Yeah, I think they missed it on that one, the upper rear are supposed to be the same tq. but you wouldn't be able to put them back through the hole.

This PDF from Gabriel shows great pictures on the proper installation procedure.

http://gabriel.com/wp-content/upload...stallation.pdf

The bushings that came with the new Bilsteins that I bought for my 1996 are not the same as GM had used on the oem installation. GM is notorious for making bushings out of unobtanium. I installed the pin top shock bushings from Banski and kept my oem ones.

BACK THAT BABY OFF. there isnt any cushion left with that

Cushion isn't the issue, the shock actually articulates a little and the bushings allow that, same issue as using poly bushings in the rear and having bind.

The pin top shock mounts from Banski are hard delrin.

https://www.banskimotorsports.com/pi...ck-mounts.html

They achieve their articulation due to the way the components are machined.

Cushioning actually interferes with the shock working as the rubber compresses before the shock starts its work.

That is way too tight and as you noticed, the SHOCK bushings are way too compressed. Back off until they are even with the upper washer. That is a nylock nut and will not back off.