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Is it physically possible to do the job yourself? What is involved and is it dangerous?
Recently I have noticed my ride is bumpy and rough. I am due for inspection in 2009 and I have a feeling I will fail the shock test. I was thinking about Blistein HDs. But being a college student I don't want to pay $100+ to have them installed.
Can you do it yourself? Yes.
Is is a pain in the butt? Yes.
Is is worth going to the Bilsteins? Oh Hell yes!!!
I had my local midas throw mine on back in 2004. it completely changed the handling characteristics of the car. I personally would save up and have a pro put them on, though. The job can be tricky and requires an alignment after doing the fronts. also, you may have a broken bolt or two and may have to fix other things while you're in there (like my worn out ball joints). Also, be warned; you can often buy the billsteins yourself for about half the price a local repair shop will sell them to you for, but not all repair shops will install customer parts because of warrenty (and profit) issues. You may need to call around a bit to find a shop that will do it for a fair price with your parts.
Or, you could find a buddy who's a mecahnic and offer him $50, a pizza, and a six pack to help you out. (You'll still have to take it somewhere for the alignment, though.)
1997 Camaro, Y87 Perf. Package, iRotor Drilled & Slotted Brakes, Bilstien Shocks, Custom drive shaft, K&N Filter, & Mobil 1 synthetic. 202+K miles and still drives like new.<br />-If you can\'t stomp \'em in the straights, kill \'em in the corners...
For the most part all is right here, and honestly if you have to ask you are probably better off paying someone to do it.
Now for a follow up question, there is a Shock test in NJ?? Do you have to get an inspection every year? No wonder everyone complains about NJ inspections.
-Brad
98 Firebird - gone from mod mode to keep it running and useable mode.
2000 V-Star Custom 1100
If all else fails use a bigger hammer!
:rock:
Why would you need an alignment if you are using the stock springs? Do the Bilsteins somehow change the ride height all on their own?
I agree though, you definitely don't want to be messing with the front shocks if you've never done a coilover before. You need a spring compressor, and can cause some serious harm and injury if you're not careful. The rears you could probably do, they're just a PITA.
My front end needed to be pretty well torn down to replace my ball joints. You may be able to get by without an alignment if nothing else needs to be changed, but I really need to check my chilton's before I swear to that.
1997 Camaro, Y87 Perf. Package, iRotor Drilled & Slotted Brakes, Bilstien Shocks, Custom drive shaft, K&N Filter, & Mobil 1 synthetic. 202+K miles and still drives like new.<br />-If you can\'t stomp \'em in the straights, kill \'em in the corners...
i dont see how changing chocks will mess with the alignment.. but who knows
and PA has some pretty tough inspections.. and its rare for them to fail someone for a shock, unless the thing is bottoming out and you are riding on nothing
I'd give sam strano a call on those bilsteins. When i talked to him, he said he would no longer recommend the bilsteins to anyone because of the changes that were made recently, (this was during the backorder period), he also said when they came out again (redesigned) he probably still wouldn't recommend them. They did used to be a great shock though, however, now there are better choices. Talk to him and confirm it's still the same. As for alignment, you won't need it unless you change more than just the shocks.
And to the guy who said changing the back shocks is a PITA, :slap: It's cake, I've done it three times in 10-15 minutes each at a relatively slow pace.
Fronts are a pain, especially if you live it a wet or humid climate, but it's perfectly doable if you are a DIYer and have some tools.
I'd give sam strano a call on those bilsteins. When i talked to him, he said he would no longer recommend the bilsteins to anyone because of the changes that were made recently, (this was during the backorder period), he also said when they came out again (redesigned) he probably still wouldn't recommend them. They did used to be a great shock though, however, now there are better choices. Talk to him and confirm it's still the same. As for alignment, you won't need it unless you change more than just the shocks.
And to the guy who said changing the back shocks is a PITA, :slap: It's cake, I've done it three times in 10-15 minutes each at a relatively slow pace.
Fronts are a pain, especially if you live it a wet or humid climate, but it's perfectly doable if you are a DIYer and have some tools.
If not bilsteins then what? Are Monroe shocks any good?
the only alternative to bilsteins in the same price range are kyb agx's. it would seem that almost everyone who has em, loves em.
where do you go to school?
shocks are easy to install. the hardest part about the rear is pulling up the carpet inside.
getting the nut off the top of the front shocks is the only other thing that can be difficult.
spring compressors arent the most awesome tool in the world but they do get the job done.
Im at county college right now, rowan U in the spring. I drove in my friends Volkswagen the other day and the ride was so smooth. If I bought the shocks should I do front and rear at the same time?
Always do all four together, especially if you change brands. If you don't, your front and back ends will have different damping factors and they'll cause your axles to bound and rebound at slightly different rates. It could literally make you seasick.
1997 Camaro, Y87 Perf. Package, iRotor Drilled & Slotted Brakes, Bilstien Shocks, Custom drive shaft, K&N Filter, & Mobil 1 synthetic. 202+K miles and still drives like new.<br />-If you can\'t stomp \'em in the straights, kill \'em in the corners...
Im at county college right now, rowan U in the spring. I drove in my friends Volkswagen the other day and the ride was so smooth. If I bought the shocks should I do front and rear at the same time?
just to let you know, f bodies arent known for having the smooth ride quality
my shocks work fine (except for the front drivers side makes a knocking noise on really rough road) and if i run over a spider i fly out of my seat.. the sad thing is my friends mustang is way worse than my car
Are these the kind people are using? I'm not afraid of the job (I did it on my old Supra years ago) but I want to make sure I get one that won't explode in my face. Kinda hard to sue a POS Chinese company after the fact.
2000 Camaro V6<br />I\'ve done nothing to my car worth note. :)
And to the guy who said changing the back shocks is a PITA, :slap: It's cake, I've done it three times in 10-15 minutes each at a relatively slow pace.
I guess I was just comparing it to changing the shocks in my race car - once it's on the jack, it's literally a 2-minute job per side. No carpet, padding, none of that crap. Guess it's all in your point of view :)
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