Bilstein HD install day

[phil97.3.8]

OK...just got them installed tonight. What a PITA!! Mechanic buddy came by and did them. Rear ones weren't bad at all, took less than 2 hours to do the back shocks and put on new rear brake pads while back there.

The front ones were a bi***. The strut mounts don't have a drainage hole in them, so after a few years they get a little rusty. The nut on the passenger side one that holds the strut rod in place was COMPLETELY corroded. It took us literally an hour and a half to get the damn nut off bit by bit hacking away at it.

As far as the driver's side you have to loosen the brake reservoir, and the nut on this strut mount wasn't as bad but still took forever to get off due to the fact that it too was very rusty.

Oh, and the springs' coils on the front that you have to remove to get to the strut are spaced pretty close. Meaning it's hard to get the spring compressors in between the coils.

I drove around in the parking lot a little bit just to make sure they're good, but I'll drive more later tonight and tell you how they are compared to the stock decarbons.

Overall, I wouldn't recommend installing shocks/struts yourself unless you really know what you're gonna be up against. It's a fight to the bitter end. Luckily, I know a mechanic who does work for reasonable prices. And he makes housecalls.

If anyone in the Orlando area needs work done, he may be able to do it, just let me know.

[dmw319]

i did them myself with a friend too who had never done it before. took us the whole day. haha. it was an experience, but we got it done. good job on the install!

[Chris Camaro]

had my machanic install sway bars, springs, shocks, adj panhard bar all at the same time, its a different car now. i had already installed the strut tower brace bar. machanic said the anti squat brackets are the wrong ones, everyone else says there right so ill have someone else install them.

how you do like the HD overall? what other suspension mods do you currently have?

[dmw319]

me or him? haha check my site for my mods. i did all the suspension stuff myself.

[Chris Camaro]

phil, sorry

[Rabid Dog]

I've rebuilt an entire 4th gen suspension three times now. I've only messed with spring compressors once. That tell you anything? [img]tongue.gif[/img]

Next time, take the springs, mounts, and struts to a place like Firestone. They will use their proffessional-grade pnuematic spring compressor, and charge you 10-20 bucks total for installing the springs and mounts. It cuts hours from the install time.

[phil97.3.8]

rabid dog, ^^ that's a good idea, wish i'd have thought of that...

The bilsteins are awesome! Drove around town tonight with them. It handles much better, flatter cornering, can take turns faster, more response to steering input even at slower speeds. Just a better feel to the suspension overall, more responsive.

Right now it's the only susp mod i have, since it's a daily driver and i don't really get to drive it hard that much.

[Chris Camaro]

do swaybars and springs, u will love it

[Rabid Dog]

^^ Agreed, best set-up shy of coilovers. Great for the WHHHEEEEEEEEEEE factor. [img]smile.gif[/img]


Edit: did you reuse the factory springs? Or, did you buy Eibach, or new stockers?

[rhouse21]

Originally posted by phil97.3.8:
rabid dog, ^^ that's a good idea, wish i'd have thought of that...

The bilsteins are awesome! Drove around town tonight with them. It handles much better, flatter cornering, can take turns faster, more response to steering input even at slower speeds. Just a better feel to the suspension overall, more responsive.

Told you so! [img]tongue.gif[/img]

[rhodeymark]

I always get the wheels realigned after changing shocks - just me I guess but kills two birds with one stone since the same shop does both. ~ rhodey