Something is wrong here....

[DirtDgr]

Ok. Went with the Bilsteins. Had my local guy I use for all my auto repair install them. I just didn't have the time. But I have the ability and tools.

A few days later, after install, one of the shock rubber bushings tore at the top.

So I had them both replaced by the same repair shop. Something is still not right.

Did they forget a part? Or is the shock shaft too long? I'm going to pull the tire myself and look closer. Makes sounds that aren't ok either.

[DirtDgr]

[DirtDgr]

[DirtDgr]

In that last pic the nut had actually come loose. You can see less threads and they used a different nut. Doesn't have that little lock/indentation mark on it. The bottom pic is the driver side. the other two are passenger side.

The third pic you can see where the big washer has been rubbing on that bracket. I think that is what I am hearing.

[disallow]

doesn't look good! Take it back to the installer, he should know what's what. Looks like they were not installed properly.

You may want to tow it...

[smj999smj]

I remember hearing about some fit issues with the front shocks on these vehicles when using aftermarket parts. When I replaced mine with KYB's, I had to use some of the original hardware. Bilstein fronts have some other issues if I can find the thread.

[smj999smj]

Here.. Take a look at this thread at another forum, around the 4th post:

http://forums.nicoclub.com/r51-bilstein ... 04456.html

[NVSteve]

I had to use some of the original hardware.

Same here.

[DirtDgr]

Well. I decided to just replace the front with the Rancho Quicklift Loaded fronts and add spacers in the rear.

I got all the parts off Performance Lifts. Shipping was free! So price was good.

Going to install myself Saturday. Want it done right ya gotta do it yourself right! Will let ya know how it goes. Was going to do it myself originally, but was pressed for time. So wish me luck!

[DirtDgr]

Got it all done Saturday. Went pretty good. No issues. If I had to do it again it would be twice as fast.

Hardest thing was dealing with the air bladders. Zip ties fixed that issue. squeezed them down so I could get them through the spring.

Car feels great. Made the wife very happy!

Looks to me the issue with the Bilstiens was definitely missing parts that should have been used from the stock parts. So its not fair to blame the Bilstiens. Except they should probably tell you that you need to do so.

[XVTer]

Looking to sell the bilsteins, or did you return them?

[DirtDgr]

Looking to sell the bilsteins, or did you return them?

Nope. Going to keep them for future use I think. When the Ranchos wear out I will probably throw them in...correctly. Going to drive this car until it dies which is hopefully another 100k or so!

[00pathySE]

How do you like the Ranchos? Any pics?

[DirtDgr]

Pics? Sure!









I think the plastic knob on the Ranchos is cheesy and feels like it going to break off. But I just set it in on 7 and wont mess with them too much.

[DirtDgr]

This is the SECOND set of the shock "cap" (proper term?). You can see they are tore apart. Something is missing, still. So I decided to just fix it with the preloaded Ranchos. Comparing the two, the Ranchos definitely has a part, a large washer on top, that is lacking when the shop installed the Bilstiens for the second time.






Ranchos done. Put the adjusters towards the outside. The top of the shock is sloped because of the spring.